The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

ST. CHRISTOPHERS, Nov. 1765.

On Thursday night the 31st of Oct. last, a vast number of People gathered at the tavern of Mr. Noland's, and about 8 o'clock proceeded to the house of Mr. John Hopkins, who was deputized by Mr. Tuchett, distributor of the stamp paper; in whose house was the chest which contained the stamps; on their arrival there were three huzzas, and the papers demanded, which was delivered by a woman, and were committed to the flames, which was made before the deputy's door, and upon the conclusion of the burning, Mr. Hopkins was made to swear never to be concerned with the stamp paper any more, nor never to suffer them to be kept in his house; yet the mob was not satisfied with that, but entered his house, and searched it through, until they were well convinced they were all delivered up to be burnt: Mr. Hopkins was also made to conduct the mob about 3-4ths of a mile in the country where Tuchett was concealed, and he delivered himself to the mob and was brought to the market, with drums beating, and was there made to swear never to have any further connection with stamp paper, and that he had no commission: for that was most wanted to be burnt, and submitted to do any thing that the mob chose to make him do—when they had finished with him, they went to the secretary's office, where about 4 or 5 quires were, but the keys of the office not being ready to open the door, Mr. Smith the secretary, made the mob break it open, and he delivered up the stamp paper, which was burnt before his office; Mr. Smith was then conducted home with great acclamations of huzzas, they then marched to the marshal's office, where one quire of the stamps was, which the mob demanded, and was delivered up by the marshal very honorably and burnt before his Door; they afterwards marched to the custom house, having suspicion that great quantities of the Stamps were there, but upon the collector's declaring, over and over, upon his word and honor, that not one stamp was in his office, they were reconciled and went their tour thro' the town for the whole night: to morrow night they will be burnt the effigies of the distributor of stamps and his deputy on a gallows.—The deputy received no other damage but having his door pulled down, and a few shingles ripp'd off his house.

Yesterday the Printer of the News Paper here, sent the following letter to Mr. Tucket distributor of stamps:

SIR, Please to deliver the bearer a couple of stamps for the Gazette; he will pay you for them, giving him a receipt. I am Sir your humble servant.

DANIEL THIBOU.

To which, the bearer received the following reply from Mr. Hopkins, the deputy distributor

SIR, I have none; they are all disposed of.

Copy of a letter sent to the Printer

Be pleased to drop the advertisement of mine, as I shall write home to the government to beg leave to resign my office as distributor. W. TUCKETT.