The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

S A L E M. March 1.

LAST Friday in the Forenoon, Mr. Brown, of this Place, Deputy Sheriff, went on board a fishing Vessel, at Marblehead, and arrested John Watts and John Guillard, in an Action of Damages for 2000l. commenced by the Gentlemen who were Proprietors of the late Essex Hospital, on Suspicion that the said two Persons were concerned in burning that Building on the 26th of January last.---The Prisoners were committed to his Majesty's Goal in this Town about 4 o'Clock, P. M. Almost as soon as the Keys were turned upon them, the People began, in small Companies, to enter the Town from Marblehead, and continued coming over in this Manner till near Night, rendezvousing near the Goal. The Magistrates were busy in consulting upon Measures for preserving the Peace, and for dispersing the People who were assembling from Marblehead; from whence a still greater Number was expected after Dark. About Sun set, on Application to the Colonel of the Militia, the Drums were ordered out, and beat To Arms. Immediately upon hearing this, the Mob, to the Number of 4 or 500, arming themselves with Clubs, Sticks of Wood, &c. and while it was yet Day Light, made a furious Attack upon the Goal. They first burst open the Doors, and broke most of the lower Windows in that Part of the Building which is the Prison-Keeper's Dwelling, and then, with Iron Crows, Axes, &c. they soon beat their Way through four of the Prison Doors, each of which was very strong, and well secured with many large Locks. Thus, having got into two Apartments of the Prison, in less than 10 Minutes, from the first Onset, carried off the abovementioned two Prisoners in Triumph, and went immediately to Marblehead, where they soon dispersed. They assembled again the next Day, & obliged the Gentlemen abovementioned to declare, that no Prosecutions should ever after be commenced on Account of burning the Hospital.