The said Hazard Wilcox being withdrawn, and the Board taking into Consideration the present State of that part of the Country, and being unwilling to adopt severe Measures while there is any prospect that lenient Methods may prove successful, humbly advised his Excellency to signify to the principal persons among the said Inhabitants, that they should lay before his Excellency in Council the Causes of their Illegal proceedings who are disposed to examine into the Grounds of their Behaviour and discontent, and as far as isin their power, to give them such Relief as the Nature of their sityation and Circumstances will justify, and assuring them of full security and protection to any persons whom they shall send hither for that purpose, from the Time they leave their House to their Return.

778 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

ARMED ORGANIZATION OF THE BENNINGTON RIOTERS.

In Council May 19th 1772,

His Excellency communicated to the Board a Letter to him from Mr Justice Munroe of the 34 Instant, with a Letter from Ebenezer Cole to Mt Munroe of the 24 Instant, whereby it appears that the Rioters had brought to Bennington two pieces of Cannon and a Morter piece from the small Fort at East Hoseck with powder and Ball, and were making great preparations for their Defence, giving out that a Body of Regulars were on their March against them. And that Remember Baker and his party, went the day before to the House of Bliss Willoughby, and cut him in a barbarous manner. ;