The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-09

of the grants armed, and occasionally
met for military exercise and discipline.
OF this organization Gov Tryon was
apprized early in l772, by letter from
John. Munro. in which he says: The
rioters have established a company at
Bennington, commanded by Capt. War
ner, and on new years day his company
was reviewed. and continued all day In
military exercise and firing a: marks. +"
In pursuance of the New York policy
before mentioned, settlements were made
in the western parts of Rupertand Paw
let by persons who had armed them
selves in defiance of the New Hamp-
shire grantees. In October. l77i.
Ethan Alien, Remember Baker. and
Robert Cochran. with six others. inhab-
itants of Rupert, all well armed, pro-
ceeded to warn off the intruders, who,
finding opposition vain. fed to New
York, and the Lighthouses which they
had erected "were pulled down, laid
III heaps, and burned with fire."
Alexander McNaughton, New York
justice of the peace, upon this issued a
warrant for the apprehension of the per-
sons above mentioned as rioters, but at
the same time wrote to the governor of
New York that their situation among
the mountains was such thatno sheriff or
constable could take them; and recon-
mended that reward be offered for
their apprehension. Accordingly, on
the 9th of November, the governor, by
advice of his council, put forth a pro-
clamation, offering a reward of E20
each for the apprehension of Cochran,
Allen, Baker, and the six others.
In February, 1772, the sheriff of Al
bany county came to Rupert with the
governors proclamation. but did not
succeed in taking any of the persons
concerned in the alleged riotons pro-
ceedings. On his return, he reported
to the governor that the rioters had re-
tired, but from the conduct of those at
home, not concerned in the riot, he
found the greatest appearance of a deter
mined resolution not to submit to the
government, and this he found particu-
larly verified by the conduct of eight OF
nine, who were armed with guns and
clubs, in which manner they came to
the house of one Harmon near Indian
river, where he then was. and from
their conduct it plainly appeared what
they intended
Shortly after this, John Munroe. the
New York justice already mentioned,
moved by the hope of reward and the
desire of notorieiy, resolved to attempt
the capture of one of most prominent oi
The rioters. Having assembled ten or
twelve of his friends and dependents, on
the 22l of March, 1772, before day
Hight, being Sunday morning. he pro-
ceeded 10 the house of Remember Baker,
in Arlington, for the purpose of arrest
ing him. Baker was awakened by the
breaking open of his door, and the en-
trance of number of men armed with
swords and pistols. The intruders rush.
ed upon him with savage fury, wounding
him by cut across the head, and alS1
ON the arm, with sword. His wife too
was barbsrously wounded by a sword
cut across the head and neck, and one of
his boys also, then alb ,ut IL years old
Baker being overpowered and bound
was thrown into sleigh and conveyed
off with the greatest possible speed to-
wards Albany.
The news of this transaction being
sent by express to Bennington. ten men
Immediately mounted their horses for
the purgose of interccpting the banditti
and rescuing Baker, They came npon
Munro and his party just before they
reached the Hudson river, who on the
first appearance of their pursuers, aban-
doned their prisoner and fed. Baker
was found nearly exhausted by his suffer
ings and the loss of blood. Having re-
freshed him and dressed his wounds,
they carried him home to the no small
Joy of his friends and the whole settle
ment.
An account of this transaction was af-
forwards sent to the governor of New
York by Munro, In which he represents
the conflict at Bakers house as very des-
peiate, and says che has reason to be
thankful to Divine Providence for the
preservation of his life and tina: of his
party" He says further that he should
have succeeded in carrying Baker to AL
bany, ''if he could have mad ten men,
who would have taken arms and obeyed
his orders bur that htey all ran INFO ht.
moods when they ought to have resisted. "
Shortly after this attack upon Baker,
Munro made an attempt to arrest Seth
Warner. Warner with a single friend
was riding on horseback in the vicinity
lof Munro's residence. aud, being met By
Munro and several OF his dependents, q
conversation ensued. in the midst ol
which Munro suddenly seized the bride
of Warmers horse aud commanded the
Ibystanders to aid in arres,ing him. War
ner after vainly urging him TO desist,
struck Munro over the head with a dull
icutiass and Ieyeled him TO the ground =
Munro, though stunned and disabled foI
the time, received no permanent injury,
aud the spectators manllesting no dlspo.
sitIon to interfere, Warner was permitted
u proceed without further molestation
| The repeated aggressions of this kind
aroused the settlers To determination &c