law more comprehensive, liberal and specific, should first be enacted to quiet the settlers in their lands.

At length a proposition was made and acceded to by both parties, that the whole people should be called together, and a general meeting be held to talk over the matter in common council, a sort of ancient "Town Meeting," though not "legally warned," to hear speakers on either side, and if possible, to preserve union among those who had so long fought and suffered together, now separating into the most exciting and acrimonious divisions. Old Forty Fort was chosen as the ground. The day fixed, the north and the south, the east and the west poured forth their anxious hundreds, plainly, nay, rudely dressed, for they were yet very poor; but with firm tread, compressed lip, and independent bearing, for though rough and sucburnt, (on this great occasion who would stay at home,) they were at once a shrewd and a proud, as they were a hardy and brave people. A platform had been erected for the Moderator and Clerks of the meeting, and a stand for the speakers, convenient to address the Assembly.

Samuel Sutton was called on to preside.

The meeting had come together to take into consideration the important matter, whether the terms offered by the Confirming Law should be accepted; which involved the point whether the laws of Pennsylvania should be received and obeyed. On these questions, as we have previously intimated, there was a wide diversity of opinion. Throughout the Valley of Wyoming proper, wherein the earliest settlements were made, and the principal sufferings had been experienced, including the townships of Kingston, Pittston, Wilkesbarre, Hanover, Plymouth or Shawney; and all the country below, a great majority were in favour of coming in kindly under the jurisdiction of the State, and accepting the terms held out by the Confirming Law. The older men, wearied with contests, and desirous of repose, more especially took the part of obedience, compromise and peace. A few, perhaps a third, some smarting under the treachery of Armstrong and the insolence of Patterson, distrusted all promises made on behalf of Pennsylvania, however plausible and fairly made. Others, young men, brave and ardent, still "loved the rocking of the battlements," and wooed the storm that brought action and imparted distinction. Up the river, above and beyond the limits mentioned, the settlers, new and old, with greater unanimity, though some division of opinion existed, preferred to rely on

their Connecticut titles, cherishing hopes of aid, not official but effective, from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. So great a gathering had not been known in the Valley for years. Matters of the highest moment were to be discussed and decided. Indeed the future fate of Wyoming seemed to rest on their deliberations, and the decision of that day. Little less than war or peace appeared to be involved in the issue. All felt the magnitude of the question to be resolved. But Wyoming was no longer united. Discord had reared its snaky crest; malign passions were awakened. Brother met brother, and friend confronted friend, not with the all hail of hearty good will, but with beating heart, knit brow, and the frown of anger and defiance.

Col. Pickering, sustained by the Butlers, the Hollenbacks, the Nesbits, and the Denisons, appeared as the advocate of law and compromise. Col. Franklin, supported by the Jenkinses, the Spaldings, the Satterlees, came forth the champion of the Connecticut title. Col. Pickering first ascended the rostrum, and opened the meeting by an able address, urging every motive in his plain common sense, strong and emphatic manner, that could operate, leading to a fixed government of law-freedom from harrassing contests for their homes; the terms of compromise including all the seventeen townships established before the Trenton Decree, embracing nearly all the old settlers, and containing two hundred and seventy thousand acres of land. He pledged his honour, dearer than life, that Pennsylvania was honest in her purpose, sincere in her offer of compromise, and that full faith might be reposed in her promise. Half convinced, yet distrustful, Stephen Gardiner spoke up: "Your lips speak fair, but O that there was a window in that breast, that we might read your heart!"

Col. Jenkins, in his brief, and sententious way, demanded: "What security have we, that if we comply and put ourselves into your power, the State won't repeal the law, and deal as treacherously as in the case of Armstrong?"

Col. Franklin now rose, and replied with all the bitterness he was master of. Dwelt on the justice of the Connecticut title; the land was their own, purchased by their money, their labour, and their blood; the sufferings of the settlers, the wrongs and insults they had received from Pennsylvania, he set forth; and declared the terms of compromise hollow and deceptive, and in no measured strains, (as if the spirit or his oath on the bloody rifle reanimated him,) denounced all those who took part with Pickering. At this moment, passions,

long with difficulty suppressed, overpowered all prudential considerations, and Col. Hollenback, one of the earliest and bravest of the settlers, drew the butt of his riding whip and aimed a blow at Franklin's head. Caught by some friendly arm, it missed its aim; but the whole meeting was instantly thrown into wild confusion. The parties ran to the neighboring wood, and each cutting a stick, returned, and blows, furious and severe were exchanged, until, in the wild melee, the meeting separated, after a vote, not very orderly taken, was adopted to support the laws, and accept the proposed terms of compromise.

Franklin and his party excited to still greater activity, continued to throw every obstruction in the way of the confirming law, and made the most spirited opposition to the laws being received and obeyed. Surveyors were now out in various directions, locating townships under the Connecticut claim. Whole share rights and half share rights had become a stock of lively speculation, and no inconsiderable value. The dormant titles throughout Connecticut, and the neighboring States, were drawn forth from their long neglected repose, and purchased by speculators, or entered and surveyed for the owners; while a stream of population was literally pouring in from the east, and settling along the Susquehanna, and the chief branches that empty into the river, more especially in the more northern limits of the county.

Soon after the dispersion of the great meeting, no little sensation was produced in the Valley, by the appearance of the far famed General Ethan Allen, from Vermont, arrayed in cocked hat and regimentals. The purpose of his visit was as well understood by Pickering as by Franklin and his associates. A grant of several thousand acres of land was made to him by the Susquehanna Company. How many men he was pledged to lead from the Green Mountains we have no means of ascertaining; but it was not doubted that his object was to reconnoiter, and concert measures for early and decisive action.

A crisis was depending of highest moment, pregnant with civil war and revolution. Barlow and the Wolcotts, as has been previously intimated, had not embarked even their names, without purposes of import and ambition. A constitution for a new State was actually drawn up, the purpose being to wrest Wyoming and the old county

* Gen. William Ross told the writer, that being at New Haven in 1803 or 4, a gentleman assured him such was the fact, and that it was understood William Judd, Esq., of Farmington, was to be the first Governor, and John Franklin Lieutenant Governor. The late

of Westmoreland from the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, and establish a new and independent government, as Vermont was established in despite of New York. Nor will the design be regarded as impracticable, when the success of the settlers on the New Hampshire grants is considered, and when the extreme weakness of the Federal government under the confederation is regarded. Indian hostilities raging in the west; the Shays' disturbances still prevailing in Massachusetts, and the arm of government every where unnerved and powerless, to say nothing of the wrongs and contumely heaped upon the Wyoming people, and the general sympathy that existed throughout the whole country in their favour.

How far the details of the plan were known to Col. Pickering, cannot now be ascertained; but that his intelligent and sagacious mind fully comprehended the danger is not to be doubted. He saw that Franklin was the prime mover, the head and grand leader of the conspiracy, and determined that a stop should be put to his machinations. A writ was obtained from Chief Justice M'Kean, to arrest John Franklin on a charge of high treason. Not choosing to entrust even the secret to any officer in Luzerne, four gentlemen, of known resolution, activity and strength, were deputed on the perilous duty. Captain Lawrence Erbe, Capt. Brady, and Lieut. McCormick, who had held commissions in the army, were the principal personages entrusted with the confidential service. Col. Franklin, at the close of September, had been on a political tour down the west side of the river to Huntington and Salem, and returned by Hanover to Wilkesbarre, when, as he stood by Mr. Yarrington's, near the ferry, it being about two o'clock in the afternoon, a person whom he knew came up and said, "a friend at the red house wished to speak to him." Unconscious of danger he walked down, when suddenly he was seized behind, and an attempt made to pinion his arms. By powerful efforts he shook himself loose; was again seized, but by the most vigorous exertions kept his opponents from their purpose, till a noose was thrown over his head, and his arms confined; the power of all four being requisite to tie hin. To get him on horseback was

Capt. Richards, a highly intelligent and worthy man, being from Farmington, it occurred to me to inquire of him. His reply was prompt and distinct, leaving no doubt in respect to the matter. "Yes, perfectly familiar to me. Capt. Judd showed me the draft of the constitution. It was drawn up by Oliver Wolcott. I well remember it commenced like the Declaration of Independence, by setting forth a series of wrongs, or the declaration of rights, justifying the deed, and then came the organization, &c."

the next object. Col. Franklin now cried out : " help, help! William Slocum! Where is William Slocum?" and drawing his pistols, for he went armed, discharged one of them without effect, when a heavy blow struck him for a moment almost senseless, and covered his face with blood. The hour had been judiciously selected,-in the midst of seeding time. William Slocum, with nearly all the male population, were at work in distant fields sowing grain. But the spirit of the good Quaker mother was aroused. Her Yankee blood was up. A lovely and amiable woman she was, but for the moment she thought of nothing but the release of Franklin. Mrs. Slocum seized the gun, and running to her door, "William," she cried, "Who will call William? Is there no man here? Will nobody rescue him?”

From the river bank Capt. Erbe had got his prisoner into the main street near Col. Pickering's, but with tremendous power, in despite of his four captors, Franklin threw himself from the horse, as often as placed on him, when Col. Pickering was obliged to come from behind the curtain, and decisively to interpose. Accompanied by his servant, William A. George, he ran to the door armed with a loaded pistol, which he held to Franklin's breast, while George tied his legs under the horse, and bound him to one of his captors.

Col. Pickering says: "The four gentlemen seized him, two of their horses were in my stable, which were sent to them; but soon my servant returned on one of them, with a message from the gentlemen that the people were assembling in numbers, and requested me to come with what men were near me, to prevent a rescue. I took loaded pistols in my hands, and went with another servant to their aid. Just as I met them, Franklin threw himself off his horse, and renewed his struggle with them. His hair was disheveled and face bloody with preceding efforts. I told the gentlemen they would never carry him off unless his feet were tied under his horse's belly. I sent for a cord. The gentlemen remounted him, and my servant tied his feet. Then one taking his bridle, another following behind, and the others riding one on each side, they whipped up his horse, and were soon beyond the reach of his friends." Thus subdued by six, he was hurried with painful speed to the jail of Philadelphia.

A paper of that city announces the event, showing its estimated consequence by the following exciting paragraph:

"October 6, 1787. We are informed that John Franklin, the hero of Wyoming, has been seized by several of the friends of govern