the People.--Arrest and Imprisonment of the Blacks.--Reward offered for
the supposed Conspirators.--Alarm and Flight of the Inhabitants.--
Examination and Confession of Mary Burton.--Peggy, the Newfoundland
Beauty, and the Hughson Family.--The Conspiracy.--Executions.--Fast.--
Hughson's Hearing.--Hung in Chains.--The Body, and that of a Negro, left
to swing and rot in the Air.--Strange Change in the Appearances of the
Bodies.--The People throng to look at them.--Negroes burned at the Stake.
--Terrific Spectacle.--Bloody Summer.--Execution of a Catholic Priest.--
Strange Scenes.--Upper Classes accused.--Executions stopped.--Reason of
the Panic.

CHAPTER III.

THE STAMP-ACT RIOT OF 1765.

Thorough Understanding of the Principles of Liberty by the People.--The
Stamp Act.--How viewed by the Colonists.--Colden strengthens Fort George
in Alarm.--Arrival of the Stamps.--How the News was received by the Sons
of Liberty.--A Bold Placard.--Stamp Distributor frightened.--Patriotic
Action of the Merchants.--Public Demonstration against the Stamp Act.--
Colden takes Refuge in the Fort.--Dare not fire on the People.--The People
at the Gate demand the Stamps.--Colden and Lord Bute hung in Effigy.--
Colden's Coach-house broken open.--The Images placed in the Coach, and
dragged with Shouts through the Streets.--Hung again in Sight of the
Fort.--A Bonfire made of the Fence around Bowling Green, and the
Governor's Carriages, while the Garrison look silently on.--Prejudice
against Coaches.--Major James' House sacked.--Great Joy and Demonstration
at the Repeal of the Stamp Act.--Celebration of the King's Birthday.--
Loyalty of the People.--Mutiny Act.--A Riot becomes a Great Rebellion.