ment, the Rioters seem arrived at the last stage of a deliberate opposition to Government and the Laws: for your Petitioners are well informed that they have lately erected two Fortresses in the County of Charlotte, one on Onion River, and the other on Otter Creek, an act of Hostility, which while it encourages them in their Confidence and presumption, gives additional Terror to your Petitioners, and, if not speedily checked, may prove the occasion of much mischief and Bloodshed.

That such of the Inhabitants as are averse to the lawless proceedings of the Rioters, and by discountenancing them have incurred their resentment, are daily exposed to the most imminent Danger in their Persons and Properties; as while their magistrates are treated with so much Inhumanity, they can have no reason to look for the Jeast mercy.

That called upon by motives of self preservation, they have once more appointed the said Benjamin Hough to represent their grevious distresses to Government, and to renew his humble supplications in their Behalf, as well as his own, for succour.

Faithful and inoffensive subjects, struggling under unparralleled oppressions, and withont the means of Law, Justice, Defence or Security, may be permitted to hope their Earnest importunity will incite the Compassion and the Care of Government; especially when it is the misfortune of your Petitioners to be persuaded that if these reasonable Expectations should unhappily become frustrate, they must very Soon fall victims to the Inhuman Tyranny of the Rioters, and that, if they escape with life, the least that can befall them must be to be driven with their Helpless Families, from their Habitations in the Greatest misery and distress.