marched up Broadway, and some one shouting "James' house," the crowd took
up the shout, and passing out of the city streamed through the open
country, to where West Broadway now is, and near the corner of Anthony
Street. This James was Major in the Royal Artillery, and had made himself
obnoxious to the people by taking a conspicuous part in putting the fort
into a state of defence. He had a beautiful residence here, which the mob
completely gutted, broke up his elegant furniture, destroyed his library
and works of art, and laid waste his ornamented grounds. They then
dispersed, and the city became quiet.

The excitement was, however, not quelled--the people had not yet got hold
of the stamps, which they were determined to have. Colden, having seen
enough of the spirit of the "Sons of Liberty," was afraid to risk another
night, even in the fort, unless it was in some way appeased; and so the
day after the riot, he had a large placard posted up, stating that he
should have nothing more to do with the stamps, but would leave them with
Sir Henry Moore, the newly appointed Governor, then on his way from
England.

This, however, did not satisfy the Sons of Liberty: they wanted the stamps
themselves, and through Sears, their leader, insisted on their being given
up--telling him very plainly if he did not they would storm the fort, and
they were determined to do it.

The Common Council of the city now became alarmed at the ungovernable,
desperate spirit of the mob, which seemed bent on blood, and begged the
Governor to let them be deposited in the City Hall. To this he finally
though reluctantly consented, but the feeling in the city kept at fever
heat, and would remain so until the act itself was repealed.