That without the least Provocation on their Part, they are involved in the greatest Danger and Distress, from. the violence of a riotous set of men distinguished by the Name of the Bennington Mob, and who in defiance of the Dictates of Justice and Compassion, daily perpetuate the most flagrant Acts of Cruelty Outrage and oppression against all who submit to the Authority or hold under the Title of the Government of New York. That they often Assemble in great Numbers and travelling armed

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from Place to Place Spread Terror and Desolation in that Country, insulting and beating the Persons, burning and demolishing the Houses and Destroying the property of all who are so unhappy as to become the objects of their Fury.

That so great are their Licentiousness and Presumption, that contented with the Lands which they are suffered to possess and the unimproved Part of the Country which they daily seize and dispose of without Molestation, they have formed the inhuman Resolution to strip every Inhabitant of his property who restrained by a sense of Duty will not engage in their Excesses.

That by the most insolent Menaces, they have intimidated Several of the Magistrates appointed by this Government for that District from Qualifying on their Commissions ; and against the few who had Resolution to disregard their Threats, they ' denounced Destruction. Two they seized and brought to an ignominious Trial before Judges appointed by their own Authority, avowedly for accepting their Offices when they were forbidden by the Chiefs of the Mob. Their Houses they sentenced to be burned or demolished and compelled them to renounce their Commissions and engage that they would no longer execute the Duties of their Stations. The Coroner of the County they also attempted to seize, and because refusing to submit to their Tribunal he made his Escape, they sentenced his House to be burned to the Ground, which was vigorously executed in open day; and not contented with this Revenge they hunted after and pursued him, openly proclaiming that if he should be discovered they would shoot him without Mercy.