The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON. November 4.

Last Friday being the Day the Stamp-Act was to take Place, the Public were not much alarmed or displeased at the Morning being usher'd in by the Tolling of Bells in several Parts of the Town, and the Vessels in the Harbour displaying their Colours half-mast-high, in token of Mourning; and though some previous Steps had been taken by Authority to prevent any Pageantry, fearing lest Tumult and Disorder might be the Consequence, yet the People were soon informed that the Great Tree at the South Part of the Town (known by the Name of the Tree of Liberty ever since the memorable 14th of August) was adorned with the Effigies of the two famous or rather infamous enemies of American Liberty, G---ge G--nv--lle and F--n--n.--The Figures continued suspended without any Molestation till 3 o'Clock in the Afternoon, when they were cut down in the View and amid the Acclamations of several Thousand People of all Ranks, and being placed in a Cart, were with great Solemnity and Order followed by the Multitude, formed into regular Ranks, to the Court-House, where the Assembly was then Sitting; from thence proceeding to the North End of the Town and then returning up Middle-Street, they pass'd thro' the Town to the Gallows on the Neck, where the Effigies were again hung up, and after continuing some Time were cut down, when the Populace, in token of their utmost Detestation of the Men they were design'd to represent, tore them in Pieces and flung their Limbs with Indignation into the Air--This being done, three Cheers were given, and every Man was desired to repair to his Home, which was so punctually performed, that the Evening was more remarkable for Peace and Quietness than common; a Circumstance that would at any Time redound to the Honor of the Town, but was still more agreeable, as the Fears of many were great lest it should prove another 26th of August; for the horrid Violences of which Night We hope the good Order of this will in some Measure atone, as it is a Proof such Conduct was not agreeable to the Sentiments of the Town, but was only the lawless Ravages of some foreign Villains, who took Advantage of the over heated Temper of a very few People of this Place, and drew them in to commit such Violences and Disorders as they shuddered at with Horror in their cooler Hours. The following are Copies of the Labels affix'd on the Breasts of each of the above mention'd Effigies, viz. On that representing G---ge G--nv--lle, holding out a Stamp-Act in his Left Hand,
YOUR Servant Sirs, do you like my Figure,
You've seen one Rogue, but here's a bigger;
Father of Mischief! how I soar,
Where many a Rogue has gone before:
Take heed my Brother Rogues, take heed,
In me your honest Portion read:
Dear Goblin PETER no Excuse,
Come dance with me without your Shoes:
Tis G--v--lle calls, and sink or swim,
You'd go to H--l to follow him.
On the Figure representing F--n--n.
Quest. What, Brother ----, why this is bad?
Anf. Ay indeed! but I'm a wicked Lad;
My Mother always thought me wild,
The Gallows is thy Portion Child,
She often said - behold 'tis true;
And now the Dog must have his due;
For idle Gewgaws, wretched Pelf;
I sold my Country--damn'd my self;
And for my great unequal'd Crime,
The D--l takes me before his Time.
But if some Brethren I could Name,
Who barr'd the Crime, should share the Shame,
This glorious Tree tho' big and tall,
Indeed would never hold 'em all.