Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
A recent instance of which riotous and illegal proceedings, is fuUy proved in an afl&davit of Abraham Yates Jun"" Esqr High Sherif of tlie City and County of Albany of the 13 of February last, who declares that on the eleventh day of that month, being Commanded by one of his Majesty's Justices of the peace, to take one Thomas Wliitney of Claverack (a place well known to be within the province of New York) he did accordingly take the said Whitney, but that he was rescued out of his custody the same day, by one Robert Noble of Claverack aforesaid, who with a party of about fifteen or twenty Men made up to him the said Sherif, and presented his pike to his breast, whilst several of the Men in Company with the said Noble, presented their Guns at him, and by the direction of the said Noble seized and confined him to a House belonging to the said Noble, where he w^as Guarded by two Centinells from about 11 « Clock in the Morning, till 10 at Night, and then conveyed to Sheffield, where he was detained until ten "Clock the next Night, and then in order to obtain his Liberty, was obhged to give Bail in the sum of £1 50 lawfuU money, for his appearance at the Court to be held in May next.
To the end therefore that the said Robert Noble and his associates, as yet unknown, may be brought to Condign Punishment for so audacious, and daring a breach of the peace, and contempt of his Majesty's Authority within this Government • and that others may be deterred from the like wicked practices, which if not speedily prevented, may endanger the peace and quiet of both provinces, and destroy that harmony and good understanding, which ought at all times, but more particularly