The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PORTSMOUTH, Oct. 7.

Last Thursday, some Hundreds of Persons from the Country march'd towards this Town, under an Apprehension that the Stampt Papers would be distributed the next Day, and came within two Miles of the State-House, when a Number of Gentlemen from hence, met them at the Globe Tavern on the Plains, and assur'd them there was no Prospect of any such Distribution; upon which they return'd to their respective Homes after being fully satisfied, in Peace and Quietness; The next Day, being the first of November, was ushered in by the Tolling of all the Bells in Town. - The Colours on board the Shipping in the Harbour, were hoisted half Mast high; and about Three o'Clock in the Afternoon a Coffin appear'd on the Parade, which was Ornamented with this Inscription, LIBERTY Aged 145, STAMPT, computing from the Aera of our Forefathers landing at Plymouth, from England; the same was carried to a Grave prepar'd for its Reception; preceded by a Person who in his right Hand held a Copy of the Stamp-Act. reprinted in Boston.— The Procession began from the State-House, attended by a great Number of People, with two unbrac'd Drums; After marching thro' the principal Streets, it passed the Parade, on which Minute Guns were fired, and continued till the Corps arriv'd at the Place of Interment, about half a Mile from the State-House, when a SPEECH was deliver'd on this Occasion, expressing the many Advantages we had received, and the melancholy Prospect before us at the seeming Departure of our invaluable LIBERTIES, which Mournful Scene caused many to rub their Eyes.— Just as the Corps was lowering into the Grave a Number of Friends appear'd, and rescued the Corpse therefrom, perceiving some Remains of Life; after which the Inscription was alter'd, and appear'd to be LIBERTY REVIVED,— and carried off in Triumph, and the Copy of the Stamp-Act thrown into the Grave, and the Clods of the Valley laid upon it; at which the Bells alter'd their melancholy, to a more joyful Sound.— Last Tuesday, being the 5th of November, a Hundred Men were order'd as a Watch to prevent any Disorders, in the Town, as sometimes happens on the Evenings of public Days, which effectually answered that End: — and we hope for the future, no Persons will pretend to be so imprudent as to destroy private Property, out of Spleen or Prejudice, to those who may think different from themselves; which is contrary to Reason, Law, common Sense, and the Principles of Christianity.