At the corner of Broad and Beaver Streets a single citizen, Marinus Willett by name, emerged from the crowd, seized the horse of the leadingvehicle by the bridle, and commanded the driver to turn back. An altercation now ensued, several prominent gentlemen expressing their opinions -- among them Gouverneur Morris, who, consistently with the pacific attitude that he had taken, deprecated Willett's act. But the aggressive faction was represented by well-known spokesmen, having behind them overwhelming numbers of the Sons of Liberty, and they gave it to be understood that unless the arms were left in the city, in obedience to the directions of the committee, blood would tlow. Tic judicious British officer in command yielded to these representations, and the citizens were permitted to appropriate the arms. After that triumphal termination of the matter, Willett mounted one of the carts and delivered an impassioned address to the meek soldierv, exhorting them to desist from the unnatural business of

FROM

JANUARY,

1775,

JULY

9,

1 i i6

shedding the blood of their brethren, and promising protection to an}- of their number who should have the courage to leave the ranks and join the patriotic multitude. History records that one of the men deserted in response to this appeal. In all the preliminary events of the devolution there is no more dramatic episode than this exploit of Marinas Willett. It is typical of the whole course of the people of New York from the earliest period of the troubles with the mother country -- a course of unfaltering aggression, taking no thought of consequences. Willett subsequently became an officer in the American army, and, as we shall see, distinguished himself upon