and escape hopeless. Not a musket was taken from Patterson's forces, but they beheld the successful treachery of Col. Armstrong with unrestrained delight, and taunting exultation. A soldier's faith should be unsullied as the judicial ermine-the pledged honour of a gentleman, more sacred than life. Both were basely violated, and language is too poor to paint in proper colours the detestable deed.*

Bound with cords, the thirty who had been with Swift at Locust Hill were thrown into the guard house, charged with murder, and orders given to put to death instantly, any man who should attempt to escape.† Had not civil war, open war, prevailed? Had not blood been shed and lives been lost? If self defence justified hostilities, and did it not? is there any maxim in military affairs better established, than that you are' warrantable in attacking an enemy concentrating on your frontiers, to invade you, before his reinforcements come up? The expedition, then, of Swift, to Locust Hill, however deeply to be deplored, was justified on the plea of necessity and self defence. The thirty men, as soon as irons could be provided, were marched to Easton, under a strong guard and committed to prison. Forty-six others were bound and confined, part in an

* Remote and obscure as Armstrong may have regarded the scene of treachery, and however inconsiderable the sufferers, the transaction was soon bruited abroad, and adding infamy to the ignominy of his Newberg Letters, tended long to exile him, fine as was his address, and considerable as were his talents, from public confidence and employments.

"I will remark that the Northampton militia, in general, appeared to be humane."

FRANKLIN.

+ The account given of this affair by Elisha Harding, Esq., is minute and interesting. "When the Yankees were marched to the fort from the place where they laid down their arms (a mile below the bridge, on the Carey Town road, near the new white house of M'Cleans, [1813,]) Armstrong sat on horseback in imposing state, and ordered the roll of the prisoners to be called. As a name was spoken that was at Locust Ridge-he nodded towards Giles Slocum's house, whither the man was sent. When one was called, not at the Ridge, he nodded, like another Jove, towards Col. Butler's, whither the man was sent, and so on until all were called off and separated. Those destined for Easton were treated with great severity, being deprived of any food for twenty-four hours. When the irons were ready, they were hand cuffed in pairs, right and left, a long rope tied to the irons, and that fastened to two soldiers, who marched next; then came two more prisoners, and a pair of soldiers; thus a very long column was formed, all fastened together, flanked by a strong guard, with bayonets fixed. Going up the mountain, some hung back, and impeded the march; some contrived to loosen their hands, and cut the cords. Threats of instant death did but increase the mischief. Maj. Abbot and Waterman Baldwin escaped at Larner's. Wm. Ross, by superior activity, took leave from Heller's. The rest were lodged in prison; our allowance being a pound of bread with water a day. But there was an old gentleman of Easton, who every Friday sent us a dinner good enough for men who were well fed. He has been long dead, but his memory will live with me while I have life. His name was MICHAEL HART, an Israelite. This meal did but give us an appetite for more; so we concluded to break up house keeping, and seek better quarters,"-&c.

"Aug. 14. The Locust Hill party being coupled two and two in irons, and all bound

out-house of Col. Butler; part in the red house (still standing,) on Bank Street. Among the latter were Jehoiada Pitt Johnson, (father of the present Attorney-General of Pennsylvania,) and Lieut. John Jenkins. Their hands were tied behind them. Turning back to back, some of the prisoners were fortunate enough to loose the bands of their fellows, who proceeded to untie the rest. Lieut. Jenkins, with characteristic spirit, swore by the God who made him his hands should never be untied if they rotted off, unless by the very man who had bound him. The day following his wrists being so swollen, as nearly to bury the cord, the man was sent, and he was released. Justices Martin and Mead, having full confidence in Messrs. Franklin, Pierce, and Slocum, with whom they had previously negotiated, admitted them and Mr. Johnson to bail, binding them to attend the next court to be holden at Sunbury.

On Thursday, the 19th, the remaining forty-two prisoners were again bound, and sent under a strong detachment of men to Northumberland jail, two of whom made their escape by the way, and four after arriving at Sunbury. Thus sixty-six men of the Connecticut party were in prison, it being apparent that Col. Armstrong was acting under the influence of the landholders, in the same line of policy with Justice Patterson, namely, to dispossess by fraud and force the settlers from the beautiful, and, from the long and bloody contests for them, the inappreciably rich and lovely Wyoming alluvial lands, her fertile meadows, and extensive plains. The conquest seemed to be complete ;* the work effectually done; the pacification of the Valley

together with ropes, were sent to Easton under guard. As they were marching off Mr. Secretary Armstrong gave orders to the guard, that if any one prisoner attempted to make his escape, to put the whole immediately to death, and that Government would indemnify them for so doing."

"August 19. Forty-two others were bound together with ropes, in a team, and sent under a military guard to Sunbury goal. The Sheriff of the County proposed to take charge of the whole that were to be sent to Sunbury, before they left Wyoming, and to be accountable for them all, but could not be permitted. In a word, during the confinement of the prisoners at Wyoming, they were treated in a most cruel and barbarous manner,-suffered with hunger -and suffocated in a nauseous prison, for the want of fresh air; and insulted by a banditti of ruffians-the prisoners were not even suffered to go out of their house to perform their most necessary occassions for the ease of nature, for the term of nine days."

FRANKLIN.

[Oh! this was but one degree less horrible than the Black Hole at Calcutta.]

* A letter to the author, dated Hartford, Con., June 3d, 1845, says-" A few days since, a gentleman of this city (Joseph Morgan Esq.,) furnished me with an original letter which relates to Wyoming, and which he thought might be of service to you, if your work had not gone to press. It was presented to him by John Potter, Esq. of Centre County, the grandson of one of the persons to whom it was addressed. The superscription of the letter

accomplished; and tenants of the Pennsylvania claimants took possession of the empty dwellings; the only difficulty that remained, was how to get rid of the wives and children of those in jail, and of the widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers slept beneath the sod.

is as follows. "The Honourable Gen. James Potter, and Col. William Montgomery, Esqrs. Members of Council of Censors, Philadelphia,—hand by Mr. Johnson.”

This paper is from the pen of Robert Martin, Esq., one of the Pennsylvania Justices, sent by the government to restore order at Wyoming. A person so eminent as Col. Armstrong, being deeply implicated by our narrative, the letter is deemed of great importance, fully sus taining as it does the facts we had derived from other sources.

GENTLEMEN ;

WYOMING, 14th August, 1784.

I beg leave to give you a detail of matters at this place. I must confess I am much disappointed as to the conduct of the Commissioners, to wit, Captain Boyd and Col. Armstrong. Esquire Mead and myself repaired to this place, in obedience to our instructions from Council, a copy of which hope you will call on Council for, and peruse, whereby you'll find we are required by every legal means in our power to investigate matters and to proceed impartially, in order that offenders of every description may be brought to justice. At our arrival we found that both the Pennsylvania and Connecticut parties had actually proceeded to hostilities, which we are well assured began five miles from the Garrison on Shawney Plains, about the 20th July last. Which party first began the fire at that time we cannot with certainty say; but we view both parties guilty of hostilities: previous to this, it can be proved, that numbers of the Connecticut party have been fired upon by the other party when they were about their lawful business. But to return to the subject of our mission or duty; soon after we came to this place, we called on the Connecticut party in the name of the commonwealth, to lay down their arms, and submit themselves to the laws; which they accordingly did, which will appear by papers inclosed in our letter to Council of the 6th inst., August; and at the same time declaring their willingness at all times to be law abiding; we accordingly made a demand of the like nature of Patterson and his party, or in other words, the Pennsylvania party; their answer was that they would comply, but said they would every one be murdered by the Connecticut party; we in answer to them said, we did not apprehend the least danger from their opponents, as they had solemnly engaged to us they would not molest or hurt one of them on any pretence whatever; we further assured them that we would not ask them to deliver their arms to us, before we put the arms of the Connecticut party on board the boat within sight of the Garrison; but all our arguments and proposals was to no purpose. Then we returned to the Connecticut party, and informed them that they were at liberty to take up their arms and disperse, and go to their habitations about their lawful business, which we believe they did, as we were of opinion that it would not be prudent to disarm one party and not the other. Our proposals to both parties were, that if they would submit to the laws, and deliver up their arms to us, we would put as many of the leading men of both parties, as we should see proper, in custody of the sheriff, to be taken to Sunbury. Had these proposals been complied with by Patterson and his party, we should have had no use for the Commissioners, or Militia, which plan we thought most likely to answer the objects of Government, and quiet the minds of the people, and at the same time be acting up to our instructions from Council. We had solemnly engaged to the Connecticut party on their submission, they should have equal justice with the other party, and the benefit of the law, which engagement we made known to the Commissioners on their arrival, who approved of our conduct, and assured us that they were sent here to do complete justice without distinction of parties; which gave us the highest expectations that matters would soon be settled in such a manner as would do honour to Government; but to our astonishment, no sooner had the Connecticut

Crowned with victory if not with laurel, Col. Armstrong returned to Philadelphia, to report formally to Council, and confidentially to his real, though less ostensible employers, the success of his mission. Scarcely had he time to receive the congratulations of friends on the promptitude and vigour with which he had brought to a close an enterprise that had baffled the efforts of his predecessors for more than a year, when the mortifying tidings reached the city, that the Sunbury prisoners were all released on bail, and the Locust Hill banditti had risen on their keepers, and only eleven were retaken and remanded to prison, while fourteen made their escape, and had returned to the contested district.* With signal celerity, Col. Armstrong raised a force of fifty men, and by rapid marches reached Wilkesbarre, on Monday the 20th of September.

party yielded themselves prisoners, and laid down their arms to the Commissioners, they were immediately marched under a strong guard, and crowded into two small houses, unfit for the reception of any human being, at the same time, to the great mortification of those prisoners, and contrary as they say, to the promise of the Commissioners, were insulted by the other party, with their arms in their hands, which we think by no means accords with the declaration of the Commissioners, which was, that they were sent here to do complete justice. It appears very clear to us, that the proceedings now at this place, are carried on in so unfair, partial, and unlawful manner, that we despair of establishing peace and good order in this part of the County; therefore, as for my own part, think it not prudent to act for the future in my office, unless properly supported, as we are very sure, nothing short of law, impartially distributed without distinction, will ever restore peace, and quiet the minds of the people in this place; sorry we are, and with reluctance we mention the partial proceedings here by the officers of Government, but at the same time think it our indispensable duty to bear testimony against them; we are much alarmed at the horrid abuse of power lodged in the hands of designing and biased men; we fear eventually it may bring on an intestine war between the states, to prevent which, we hope the authority of Pennsylvania will execute justice to every citizen thereof. The Connecticut party have generally declared themselves as such, by taking the oath of allegiance to this state as directed by law. God forbid that I should have any desire or inclination to favour the Connecticut party or their claims. I can honestly declare, that I should be as well pleased to see them legally removed from this place as any man in the State: as my interest here is under the Pennsylvania right. It must appear to every one acquainted with this circumstance, much to my interest to have them dispossest. I again say that I have nothing in view respecting the unhappy disputes here, but to do equal justice to every person, as I hope my conduct will at all times stand the test, and I be esteemed a faithful servant to Government." I am with due respect, Gentlemen, Your Humble Servant, ROB. MARTIN.

Honourable James Potter, and Wm. Montgomery, Esquires. N.B.-Gentlemen, you may make what use you please of this letter either public or

private.

* Edward Inman, one of the Easton party, a man of great strength and personal courage, seized the keys from the jailor, knocked him down and gave the whole company liberty. A hot pursuit was immediately commenced. By scattering in all directions fourteen got free, while eleven were taken. After lying in jail three months, a court was held at Easton,

In addition to Mr. Boyd, there came with Col. Armstrong Mr. James Read and Mr. John Oakley, as commissioners to bring about a compromise, but the latter speedily returned, without as is known, making any endeavour to effect the purpose of his mission.

While at Sunbury, Mr. Franklin was arrested on two warrants arising out of affairs at Wyoming, and on the 21st of September, the day after Armstrong's arrival, Mr. Johnson, Phineas Pierce, and Mr. Franklin were arrested for treason, on warrants from Justice Seeley. The object of those constantly recurring, expensive and harrassing arrests, is easily comprehended.

The sufferings of the Connecticut people had excited indignation and pity throughout the whole country, and several Green Mountain boys, who had gone through a similar struggle with the authorities of New York, had come to Wyoming, and volunteered their assistance to the settlers. An attempt by Patterson's men to secure a portion of the Yankee harvest was met and repelled. An occurrence which happened on Sunday night, the 26th of September, is differently represented. Col. Armstrong reported that the Yankees, wholly unprovoked, made an attack on his quarters in Wilkesbarre, but were vigorously met and speedily repulsed, giving this as a proof of the evil disposition of the people. Mr. Franklin and others, in a memorial protest, "We declare to God that the report is false, and the Connecticut party had no hand in it;" charging Armstrong and Patterson with making the attack, or pretended attack, themselves, for the purpose of criminating the settlers. Exhausted patience could endure no longer. Forbearance had ceased to be a virtue, while fear and cowardice began to be so distinctly imputed against the Yankee leaders, that they resolved to bring the matter to a crisis by attacking the garrison. A frame work of plank was formed and placed on wheels, so that pushed forward, it would shield the assailants from the small arms of the enemy. A number of men all armed, and some of them carrying brands of fire, under

Chief Justice M'Kean presiding, and bills sent up to the Grand Jury, charging the prisoners with the murder of Jacob Everett. The Jury promptly returned the bills "ignoramus," when Judge M'Kean said, "he did not see how they could render such a return," but in conclusion remarked, "that killing by either side was no way to settle the title to the land." The Jury considered the settlers as fighting in self-defence; and such was the popular opinion throughout the State. This and the subsequent refusal of the Jury of Northumberland to find bills against the prisoners sent to Sunbury, and the fact that Major Moore, and a large number of Patterson's party were indicted and convicted, will show the prevailing feeling throughout Pennsylvania, in respect to the parties.