The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Salem, March 8.

In Consequence of the Rescue of the 2 Prisoners, an Account of which was inserted in our last, the High Sheriff of the County, on Monday Afternoon, last Week, gave Orders to his Deputy in this Town to command the Inhabitants to meet in School-Street at 9 o'Clock the next Morning, with Arms and Ammunition according to Law, to assist the High Sheriff in the Execution of his Office; in Pursuance of which Orders, several Hundreds were commanded to appear.---This Body, when assembled, was to march to Marblehead, and assist the Sheriff in retaking the said Prisoners, as well as to apprehend those Principals concerned in breaking the Gaol. On the other Hand, it was given out, that the Marblehead People, to the Number of 6 or 800, were arming, and were determined to repel, to the last Extremity, any Force that should be brought against them. In this critical Situation of Things, a Number of the principal Gentlemen of Marblehead were happily instrumental in effecting a Compromise; the Proprietors of the late Ex Hospital being influenced to relinquish all Demands that they might have either on the County or Sheriff, in Consequence of the Rescue and Escape of the abovementioned Prisoners, and to discontinue all Proceedings respecting the burning of the Hospital. This Measure, which restored Peace, was reported abroad just before the Time at which the People were ordered to assemble, and the Cause of much Joy and Satisfaction to the Town in general.