That about ten months last past many cruel acts of Outrage & Oppression being committed by the said New Hampshire Claimants, against the persons & properties of such of the Inhabitants as professed a Respect for the Laws & Government, & would not countenance or join in the rash proceedings of the said Rioters ; and these peaceable Inhabitants being in very great Danger both with respect to their property & their persons, & being frequently insulted & abused, this deponent who was then & still is an Anabaptist preacher of the Gospel, in the said County did, at the Request of several of the said peaceable & abused inhabitants, come down to the City of New York and applied to the Governor the Council & General. Assembly of the Province of New. York for Redress & protection. That the truth of your Petitioners Complaint being fully proved by a Number of Depositions & Proois there produced, a proclamation was thereupon issued

NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 881

. offering a Reward for apprehending the principal Ringleaders &

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Authors of the said Riots, and a Law of the said province was also passed for suppressing the said Riots & tumultuous proceedings; & for punishing the offenders. That as soon ,as, this Measure was effected the Deponent returned to his place of Residence and as a Magistrate of the said County dispersed & published the said proclamation & act of Legislature & inculcated & recommended to the said Riotous persons a more peaceable & orderly Demeanor, and as no steps were taken with regard to the Lands possessed by the said New Hampshire Claimants, but they were suffered quietly to hold the same, This Deponent hoped the said Rioters would have permitted their Neighbours, differing from them in Conduct and Sentiment. to live in peace & security, But this Deponent,saith that some time in the month of April last there was a meeting of the said Rioters, in cénsequence of the said act. of Legislature and proclamation, where it was resolved by them that any person or per sons, Within the Lands claimed by them, who had or should accept a commission or commissions of the peace, should by them in general be deemed an Enemy to their Country and: Common Cause, That. shortly after a paper was delivered to this Deponent signed by one Jonas Fay clerk of the said meeting, in the following words (to wit)