The New Hampshire Gazette

L O N D O N

Newcastle, March 10. The disturbance in our neighbourhood about balloting for a few vacancies in the militia, hath already been mentioned. The Deputy Lieutenants and other Magistrates prevailed on the rioters to go quietly home that night, viz. Saturday the 28th ult. Since which the pit men, waggon men, husbandmen and servants, in this country of Northumberland (for of such the mob mostly consisted) having taken it into their heads, that the Durham people of their station had all got clear of the militia, by the rise they had made; on Monday the 2d inst. assembled in great numbers at Morpeth, and not meeting with such indulgence as they expected obliged the Deputy Lieutenants and Justices to quit their duty for their own safety, no military force being at hand. Then the rioters got all the lists and books relative to the militia from the constables, and tore or burnt them before their eyes. The next day they went to Whittingham, 20 miles up the country; and acted in much the same manner. Flushed with success, and reinforced to 4 or 500, they attempted the like outrage at Hexham yesterday: But the Justices finding gentle methods would not avail, had ordered Sir R. Milbank's battalion of the Yorkshire militia up to Hexham the day before from this town. About 11 o'clock the mob assembled, and the militia were all drawn out before them. The Gentlemen still entreated the rioters to be quiet, but all to no purpose, for they assaulted and struck several of the militia, though they had their pieces loaded and their bayonets fixed. In short, the Justices were obliged to read the Riot Act, and though they allowed the mob near an hour after to disperse, the militia were at last ordered to fire among them three times. The first fire they sent into the air, the next among their legs; but the mob being not yet intimidated, they were ordered to level the third fire. Nineteen persons were killed on the spot, and about fifty wounded. Ensign Hart of the militia and a private man were also killed. There has not been such a scene of bloodshed this century in this country. However, it is to be hoped the worst is over, as they are now pretty well settled again. Major Crow, who commanded the militia, is much commended for his gallant, as well as his humane behaviour, on this occasion.