284 Journal and Correspondence

Liber C C
No. 22

agreeable to the Tenor of his Recognizance; that the said Webster,
during the Time Hall was bound for his bood Behaviour, received
fresh Instances of his malignant and implacable Disposition and
applied to the Court to have him bound in a larger Sum of Money ;
that the Court issued their Warrant to the Sheriff to apprehend the
said Hall and bring him into that Court to answer the Complaint
exhibited against him by the said Webster that the Sheriff has made
several Attempts to take the said Hall but was deterred by the
Threats and Resistance made by him who goes constantly armed
with Pistols and a heavy Cudgel, to oppose the Sheriff in the Exe-
cution of his Office, and forbids him to make an Arrest. We esteem
it our indispensable Duty to preserve the Peace and Tranquility of
the State and to protect every Individual in the full and unrestrained
Enjoyment of his Rights and Priveleges and to prevent by all lawful
Ways and Means the Perpetration of any unlawful Act and to bring
to condign Punishment all refractory Persons that have been daring
enough, not only to violate the Law but to stand in Opposition to the
Authority of Government. The above Relation of Facts, with
such Opinion of our Duty have made us resolve to inform you, that
you and your Deputies ought to use your utmost Endeavours to
apprehend the said Thomas Hall, and if he still should resist, you
ought to summon the Posse Comitatus or Body of the County to
assist you in taking him and carrying him before some lustice of
the Peace; every Person you summon is compellable to serve and you
ought not to admit any Excuse, and if he should refuse you ought
to present him to the Grand Jury. It is necessary you should execute
your Precept immediately, because if you should delay it and any
Mischief or Evil should result from your Negligence, it will be
justly imputable to you