The Documentary history of the state of New-York; arranged under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, secretary of State. By E. B. O'Callaghan ...

NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 911
last (the Day before the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas
and quarter Sessions for the said County of Cumberland) towards
the evening.came into Westminster the County Town where the
Courts for the said County are held. That this Deponent found
that a great number of persons riotously assembled:, not less he
believes than Eighty had taken possession of the Court Iouse &
Goal of the said County & a number of persons armed with'Clubs
were guarding the Doors, which this Deponent was informed was
done in order to prevent the Court from Sitting or doing any
Business. That the Sheriff went up to the Door of the Court
House and ordered the said Rioters to disperse & gave them as
the Deponent then understood & verily believes fifteen minutes
time to comply therewith. That the Sheriff waited between
two & three hours expecting the said Rioters would depart from
the said Court house and Goal, but finding they did not he went
up to the said Court House a second time attended by some of
the Magistrates & a party of Men and repeated his orders that
they should immediately disperse which they refused; declaring
that if lhe or any other person attempted to come into the Court
house they would beat out their Brains. That the Sheriff then
attempted to enter the Court house & advanced to the uppermost of the three steps which led to the Door but was pushed
or knocked down by the Rioters and renewing his Attempt a
second time received the same Treatment. That a few of the
Sheriff's posse forced themselves into the Court house but were
beat back by the Clubs of the Rioters. That the Sheriff then
ordered the posse to fire. That it is said & generally understood
that the first fire from the Sheriffs posse was only intended to
intimidate the Rioters the Guns having been directed to be &
accordingly were raised with that Intent so high as that charges
might pass over the Heads of thle Rioters. That the Rioters
returned a Discharge of Guns or Pistols on their Ipart: That the
Sheriff's posse then fired three or four Guns into the Court house.
That orders were given by the Sheriff for the firing to cease and
no more fire arms were discharged on either side That the
Sheriff & his posse then forced their Way into the Court house
with Clubs and an engagament ensued in which the Rioters
were defeated & fled. That one of the party of the Rioters