The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

American Intelligence.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 5.

Extract of a letter from Hamburgh:

"On the 25th and 26th of August last, a dispute, which happened about 3 weeks ago, among the smiths' workmen, became of some serious consequence, and could not be settled by the masters, to whom such things are usually reported; it was therefore brought before their Elder, who is one of the Senate. He tried in vain to reconcile them, and was obliged to send three of the ring-leaders to prison -- This aggravated the other journeymen, and they all laid down their tools. Their Elder made proposals to them, but not being regarded, he summoned a great many of the journeymen, and asked whether they would go quietly to work? This being refused, he sent some of them, escorted by soldiers, out of the town, and kept from them their pass or indenture, their clothes, &c.

On Saturday the joiners and tailors would not work. On Monday other trades followed their example; and on Tuesday the dispute became more serious. They marched all Tuesday in troops of five and six hundred through the town, and attempted to demolish the guard-house, and displace the guards, who were not directed to use force against them. At night it grew still more serious; candles were put upon broomsticks, instead of flambeaus: benches and tables were turned out of the public houses into the middle of the streets, where the rioters ate and drank the whole night.

Wednesday morning their numbers were increased to above 2000, and they resolved to try to rescue their comrades out of prison.

The Senate was assembled, and the citizens obliged to mount guard; before the town-house, two companies of soldiers and twenty dragoons were stationed; and every Senator that was an elder, summoned the masters of their trades, and tried to quell all disputes, and desired the rioters to be peaceable, but in vain; they demanded the three prisoners to be set free immediately. The Senate promised them, that if they would return peaceably to work, they should the next day; but they wanted their liberty that instant. Their second demand was, that those journeymen who had been sent out of town, should be brought in again, with colours flying and music playing. The Senate answered, they should be admitted to enter the town again, but not in that manner. More demands were made which the Senate did not agree to.

At this time the guards were ordered to charge, and to fire upon the first that offered any fresh disturbance. About five o'clock a mob of about 400 men wanted to pass by the head-quarters of the town-guards, which was armed with dragoons, who rode among them, and very soon dispersed them. At six o'clock the shoe-makers tried again, with a party of about three hundred men, seemingly determined; but they were soon dispersed, after a good drubbing; however, they threatened to come again at night, which accordingly they did, supported by some of the sugar-refiners' workmen; but one of them being shot they were dispersed.

This morning (the 25th) the Senate met early together, and tried in vain to quell the rioters; it was therefore necessary to use a greater precaution, and orders were given to shut the town-gates. Every public house is guarded with fifty soldiers, and some dragoons. More citizens were obliged to get under arms, as it was published, that as soon as the alarm-bell rung, every citizen should join the Captain of his district, armed with a gun and sword. When the guards made their appearance before the public houses, they were saluted with stones and empty bottles. The guards warned the mob of their danger, as they had orders to fire; but this having no effect, at the house of the Shoemaker's Society the guards first began to fire upon the rioters, and some were killed. The alarm-bell was now rang, and an order issued that every citizen should appear directly at the house of their Captain. It was frightful to hear the drums in every part of the town, and to see how the people ran in the streets. The Taylor's society demolished their own public houses, by beating the roof in, and throwing the tiles, windows, &c. upon the guards, which wounded several. The latter, however, withdrew into an opposite house and fired by whole vollies upon them; and many of this mob are said to have been killed. What happened at other public houses is not known yet: every thing seems in the greatest confusion, as in a besieged town: on the street, none but armed men were to be seen; the gates were shut, and the reports of fresh tumults varied all the day.

The Senate was assembled till late at night. Some of the Societies offered to come on terms, but none would stand forward at first. Before it was dark, we heard the report of more guns. Now and were just now told that a small guard-house on Hamburg-Hill, which is out of town, has been demolished by the rioters that were turned out of the gates. A company of soldiers, which had secretly been let out, fell upon them, and drove them towards Altona, where the gates were shut directly against them."