The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal

We hear from Charlemount, in the county of Hampshire, that on the 4th of February instant, a straggling fellow came there and bought a sleigh and two horses of one White of that place, and gave him eighteen pounds in forged notes, which White soon after discovered, and followed the fellow to Ashfield, and accused him of the cheat; whereupon he confessed himself guilty, and desired to receive his punishment; but for want of a justice of the peace, they were obliged to assemble the minister and deacons, when the straggler voluntarily walked up to a beef gallows, and had his hands tied and shirt stripped off, and there received a good hearty flogging from one of the deacons; and for a complete satisfaction for violating the law, gave six dollars to the brethren for their trouble, and then was permitted to depart.