The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON. Feb. 24.

Last Week was taken up and committed to the Custody of the SONS OF LIBERTY in this Town, a most detestable Object, lately transported to America--Notice being given, a Jury was summoned, and a Bill found, setting forth that the said Prisoner did on the first of November last, endeavour to make its Appearance in a forcible Manner, and in Defiance of the known and established Laws of the British Constitution, to deprive the Subject of his Rights and Privileges, &c. They then proceeded to Trial, which lasted two Hours, and after many learned Debates, the Evidence was so clear, that the Jury without going out of Court found the said Prisoner guilty of a Breach of Magna-Charta, and a Design to subvert the British Constitution, and alienate the Affections of his Majesty's most loyal and dutiful Subjects in America from his Person and Government--Sentence was immediately past by the honorable Judge of the said Court, and accordingly executed in the following Manner--

A Stage having two Effigies thereon was erected, one of them representing B--te drest in Plaid, the other G--le; over whom was a Gallows, on which the Devil appeared with a Stamp-Act, and a Stamp Paper in one Hand, and a Chain in the other hanging over the Gallows, with the following Words proceeding out of his Mouth to G--le, who held a Lock in his left Hand, Force it--to which he answer'd, That we will upon the REBELS:--B--te who held a Key in his right Hand replies: We can't do it!--Upon the Stamp Paper were these words, For the Oppression of the Widow and Fatherless.--Previous to the Execution on Thursday Morning last Notifications were found posted up in several Parts of the Town, of which the following is a Copy:

HANOVER SQUARE.

BOSTON THURSDAY 20th February 1766.

THE Committee of the true born Sons of Liberty having in their Possession a Piece of Paper mark'd with America's Oppression*--DO hereby Notify their Brethren, that they are determin'd to make a public Exhibition of it under the TREE OF LIBERTY this Morning where it will hang till XII o'Clock, and then be taken down and committed to the Flames--together with the Effigies of the Authors of this Oppression.

* A Crown Stamp.

Between two and three Thousand People assembled on this Occasion, and at the Time appointed the Effigies were taken down and three Cheers were given: After which by the Desire of a Number of Gentlemen they were carried thro' the principal Streets of the Town in a Cart, and back again to Liberty Tree, where three Cheers were again given--They then proceeded to the Gallows on Boston Neck, and after kindling a large Bonfire, they consumed therein the Effigies and the Badge of Slavery--This being done they gave three Cheers and departed--The Sons of Liberty afterwards repair'd to their own Apartment, in Hanover Square, where the following Toasts were drank--GEORGE the Third, our gracious, rightful and lawful Sovereign--Success to the Royal House of Hanover--Confusion to its Enemies--A Repeal of the Stamp-Act--A perpetual Itching without the Benefit of Scratching to its Friends--Long Life, Health and Prosperity to all the Sons of Liberty on the Continent--The whole was conducted with the greatest Decency and Order.

The Friday preceding, the TREE OF LIBERTY was prun'd after the best Manner, agreeable to a Vote pass'd by the Committee of the true born SONS OF LIBERTY at their last Meeting in Hanover Square, when a Number of Carpenters were appointed for that Purpose, and a Gentleman well skill'd in those affairs as a Director. After they had completed it, the Clerk according to the Direction of the Chairman, desired them to bring in their Bill in order to receive their Pay, but they refused to take any Thing, as it was for the publick Good; and further added, that they were always ready to serve the true born Sons of Liberty, whenever occasion call'd for it, and should think themselves very happy, whenever their Service was acceptable--Since which a large Plate has been affix'd to the Tree with the following Inscription, viz.--"This TREE was planted in the Year 1646, and prun'd by Order of the SONS OF LIBERTY, February 14, 1766." So that the Tree is now become a
great Ornament to the Square.--And we doubt not but the TREE OF LIBERTY will thrive and flourish, when all the Friends to the Stamp-Act will decay and perish.