The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-08-14
REVOLUTIONARY SKETCHES.
--s.soGI0$s.
Robert Yates to Mr. Kemp and JemeA
Duane.
ALBANY, July 20, l77l.

Duane
ALBANY. July 60 l771.
, GENrLEMEN:-I returned this dav from.
Bennington to which place had been
summoned as part Of the posse TO assist the
Sheriff in taking possession Of the house
OF James Breckenridge. AS you will
doubtless be inquisitive to hear an account
OF this transaction, | have therefore taken
my pen in order to crafty you in this par
ticnlar. We sci off from town last Thurs.
day with the Sheriff attended by abou! $50
people out of the city, and were reinforced
from different parts by about so more:
with this party we proceeded that day 10
one Cornelius Van Nesses at Sinkaick.
and the next morning advanced 10 the
house of Brakenr dge. As our advanced
party came 10 The bridge within half mile
OF this house they were stopped by six or
seven men in arms who said they had or.
ders so to do. However upon some dis
course they suffered them 10 cross upon
! giving them their word that no more
should pass before they returned-in Ibis
party was our Mayor and Abraham J.
Lansing who said they were CONS TO
speak 10 Breckenridge, whereupon one of
their party conducted them towards the
house near which they found him with q
party consisting about thirty; he asked
them whether they had any process against
him. they declared that they had not, but
that they came for the purpose of inform.
ing themselves, why so many men assem-.
bed al that ;ime for the apparen, design of
opposing the Sheriff in the execution of
his office, he gave them for answer that
ne had no farther concerns with the houss
and lands, but that the township had re.
solved 10 take the same in their protection
and that they Intended to keep it. The
Mayor told them that this evasion would
not answer, so as to excuse him from lhe
Ill consequences that might attend the OF.
position oftRe Kings writ for tha, the DOS.
session was still 10 him, and that whatev.
er blood might be spilled in opposing The
Sheriff In delivering the Possession to the
Plaintiff would be required from his hands
Upon this he desired half on hours far
Their consideration whereupon the Mayor
required the men who were with him 10
dispense, or that he should be obliged 10
read the Riot &c: against them, this thew
complied with for the present, but some
Joined their brethren again. In the mean.
while the body of the posse came up, and
being informed OF the arguments the Nav,
Or had made remained at the bridge-whtn
he returned and informed The Sheriff of
he above particulars, we waited the halt
1our, at The expiration whereof we re-
;elved an accoun, from the Yankees that
hey would not give up the possession bu.
would keep it at all events. Upon this
he Sheriff gave orders for the posse 10
march up TO the house. This some fatty
etused, and others by their conduct plain.
y denoted that they very reluctantly com.
'lied and that perhaps hot without reason,
or we had by that time discovered lba, the
I ankles had made all the necessary prep.
ratlons 10 give US the warmes! reception,
having about thirty oil the mos. resolute
elbows ia the house, the doors whereof
we're strongly barrcaded, and every rising
round within command the house was
med with about three or four hundred
len well armed. Whereas The people
'ere in defenceess condition, being no
iherwlse equipped han with clubs, swords
nd some few pistols. Not being very ap.
fehenslve that aEy mischief would ensuc,
no hndIng that greater part of the peo>
Ie did advance though slowly, l took a
lend with me and went to the house, to
e North whereof along a rising ground
perceived number Of YANKEES posted
caring the same two or three came up
US and enquired our business. in>
rmed them that there attended as part
the posse in order to assist the Sheriff
taking possession Of tina. house, and at
e same time required of them The reason
their appearing in that manner They
formed me that they had from their agen,
Eng lend lately received the strongest
surance that their differences would
On be determined in their favor and that