| Citation |
BNL.766.055
18 Sep 1766:32,33,41 (3284)
A letter from John Hughes, Esq; to the commissioners of the
Stamp-Office in London. Philadelphia, October 12, 1765.
. . .[a sketch of my own conduct and that "of the
Presbyterians and proprietary party here" relative to the
Stamp office. Notified of his recommendation as chief
distributor of stamps; received information that] a mob
would be collected by beating muffled drums through the
streets, and ringing the state house and church bells
muffled, which was accordingly done all the afternoon. . .
[1 2/3 column narration of encounter.]
Since writing the above, I am informed that Benjamin
Shoemaker, Esq; who is one of the people called Quakers, and
also an Alderman of the city, met with the drummers as they
were alarming the city, and took them to talk, requiring to
know by what authority they were endeavouring to raise a
mob? they answered, if he would go to the State-house, he
might know. He then asked who ordered them to beat about
the streets: . . . [10 lines of discussion. Shoemaker
eventually backs off for fear of his own property.]
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