The friends of order and government met at the house of Captain Hatfield ; more who were for a committee put up at another public house in the town. About 12 o'clock, word was brought to the gentlemen at Captain lla'Acld's that the opposite party had already entered upon the business of the day ; upon which they immediately walked down to the court-house, although not half of their friends, who were e.xpected had yet appeared, where thev found the other company collected in a body. The numbers on each side seemed to be nearly equal, and both, together might amount to two hundred ; or, at most, two hundred and tifty. The friends to the government then declared, that as they had been unlawfully called together, and lor an unlawful purpose, they did not intend to contest the matter with them by a poll, which would be tacitly acknowledging the authority that had sunmioned them thither; but that they came only with a design to protest against all such disorderly proceedings, and to show their detestation of all unlawful Committees and CongTCSscs ; they then declared their determination and resolution to continue steadfast in their allegiance to their gracious and merciful sovereign. King George the Third, to submit tolawful authority, and to abide by and support the only true representatives of the people of this Colony, the General Assembly; then giving three

a American Arcldves, fourth series, v.jI. li. 314.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

huzzas, they returned to Captain Hatfields, singing, as they weut, \viih lovni entbusiasn:;, the good and animating song of "God save great George our Kin-." "Long live our noble King," &c., &c. At their return, finding that manyrf their friends had arrived during their absence, and that many still kopt conn;-.: in, they proceeded to draw up and sign the following declaration, which thi v seemed to do with as much patriotic zeal as ever warmed the hearts of true and faithful subjects, and afterwards dispersed to their different habitations.