CELEBRATIONS (Albany), 4 JULY 1788

citizens returned home; some of the gentlemen with a number of cit-
izens dined at Lewis's tavern, the anti's at Hilton's; after dinner it was
agreed to raise the Constitution that the anti's had burnt in the morn-
ing; a very respectable number went to the pine bush, and cut down a
pine tree, brought it to the fort, & raised it up on the very spot where
the anti's burnt the Constitution; the tree raised, and the Constitution
on the top: Whilst this was doing there was a piper fixed in the pine
tree, playing on the bag-pipes; at the same time, drums beating colours
flying, ten cannon then fired, with three chears at the firing of each
gun; the pine tree was then taken down, the Constitution fixed on a
pole, and carried before the pine tree in procession, through the public
streets, and before the principal federalists doors; the pine tree raised
and three chears given as our people passed through the streets down
to the Dutch pastor;4 the tree with the Constitution raised, their guns
fired, pipes playing, and drums beating; all this was done with the great-
est order and harmony: But unknown to us, the anti's were preparing
at Hilton's, and had brought in bags full of stones, and a small field
piece; some say they were to charge it with small gravil; be that as it
will, our people coming immediately through that narrow street, were
warmly attacked by a shower of paving stones, all of the anti's being
armed some with clubs, some swords, others with muskets and bayo-
nets; a number who were in our front, were much hurt by the stones
thrown down upon them out of the windows; however they were soon
made to scamper, and some considerably wounded upon their side,
and a few of their ringleaders hid in dirty holes, were taken out &
begged for mercy, which was granted to them, although they illy de-
served it, for it is evident if they had prevailed, they would have shown
little favor: Their ringleaders were Peter W. Yates, Abraham Lansing,
Jerry Van Ransselaer, Alderman Price. It is a mercy there was none
killed; I believe there was about 20 wounded-We hear that they are
trying to raise an armed force in the country, to ransack the city, how-
ever I hope the country will be more wise, and as for the others we are
not much afraid of them.
"Jerry Van Ransselaer was made to give in bail. Upon the whole
although they broke the peace, our people took their field-piece, and
proceeded in procession to Mr. Lewis'. The fray fortunately was settled
before night."
1. Reprinted in the Independent Journal, 16 July, and in ten newspapers outside New
York by 4 August: Vt. (1), Mass. (1), Conn. (1), Pa. (2), Md. (1), Va. (4). It was also
reprinted in the July issue of the Philadelphia Columbian Magazine which appeared in
early August.
2. Probably intended as an addition to the account printed in the New York Journal on

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