30. "Concerning the Riots & Insurrections in New Jersey" (1744-1748)
The Council was at the same time an executive and a judicial body, and also was one of the two legislative bodies. For the proceedings of a Council, see No. 64 below. — Bibliography : Channing and Hart, Guide, § 106.
A BRIEF STATE OF FACTS, concerning the Riots & Insurrections, in New Jersey & the Remedys, attempted, by the Government & the several Branches of the Legislature, to put an End to them, & to restore the Peace of the Province. . . .
By the Affidavits & Papers herein referred to, it will appear, That a Number of Evil minded Men (taking Advantage, of that divided & weak State of the Governmt of this Province, & of that Time of War & Rebellion in Gr. Br,) entred into a Combination, & Agreement, to obstruct the Course of legal Proceedings, & to protect themselves from His Majtys known Officers, & from the Process of the Law, in every Case, let their Crimes be ever so high ; And, in Execution of this Scheme, it appears
That, on the 19th Sept.r 1745 100. Men, armed with Clubs, Axes & Crow Bars, came, in a riotous & tumultuous Manner, to the Goal of the County of Essex, &, having broke it open took, from thence, One Samuel Baldwin, committed on an Action of Trespass wherein he had refused to give Bail, or enter an Appearance.
That, these riotous People, then, boasted of the great Numbers they could bring together, on any Occasion, & gave out many threatning Expressions agt the Persons that shod endeavour to punish them for this their Crime ; Saying, if any of them were taken, they would come to his Relief with twice the Number they then had, & bring with them 100 Indians.
Two Justices of Essex, with the Undersheriff, according to their Duty, made a Record on their View, ag.t 27. of the Rioters, known to them, & many other Evil doers & Disturbers of the Kings Peace, to them unknown ; Which was returned into the Supream Court, & Process issued from thence ag.t the Delinquents.
This Matter being layd before the late Gov.r he was so justly apprehensive of the dangerous Consequences, of so open & notorious a Con-
