![[FRANKLIN PRINTING]. PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Anno Quarto. Georgii III. Regis. An Act for Preventing Tumults and Riotous Assemblies, and for the More Speedy and Effectual Punishing the Rioters. [Philadelphia: B. Franklin and David Hall, 1764].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/NYR/2011_NYR_02514_0154_000(franklin_printing_pennsylvania_general_assembly_anno_quarto_georgii_ii082748).jpg?w=1)
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[FRANKLIN PRINTING]. PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Anno Quarto. Georgii III. Regis. An Act for Preventing Tumults and Riotous Assemblies, and for the More Speedy and Effectual Punishing the Rioters. [Philadelphia: B. Franklin and David Hall, 1764].
Folio (12¾ x 8 in). 4pp., dropped head title on page (1). UNBOUND AS ISSUED. Half russet morocco folding case. Miller 816; Evans 9782. Very rare; Miller locates only two other copies, both in institutional collections.
FIRST EDITION. AN EMERGENCY ACT TO QUELL THE MURDEROUS PAXTON BOYS. The frontier towns of Pennsylvania had long been subject to Indian attacks, but political differences between the Governor and the Assembly prevented action being taken. In addition, the Quaker inhabitants generally refused to vote for the necessary military resources. In 1763 increased Indian attacks began to drive settlers from their homes. That December, a group of heavily armed men from Paxton on the Susquehanna river raided a village of Christianized Indians, brutally murdering six. They then went on to Lancaster where the survivors had sought refuge in the workhouse, and killed fourteen more, including women and children. "At the urging of Governor John Penn the Assembly passed this act in the compass of one day in order to deal with the Paxton Boys intent on marching from Lancaster to Philadelphia and killing the Indians lodged for safety on Province Island. The act extended to Pennsylvania for a brief time the terms of the British Riot Act of 1715..." Miller. The text of the act was reprinted in the Pennsylvania Gazette, 9 February 1764.
Folio (12¾ x 8 in). 4pp., dropped head title on page (1). UNBOUND AS ISSUED. Half russet morocco folding case. Miller 816; Evans 9782. Very rare; Miller locates only two other copies, both in institutional collections.
FIRST EDITION. AN EMERGENCY ACT TO QUELL THE MURDEROUS PAXTON BOYS. The frontier towns of Pennsylvania had long been subject to Indian attacks, but political differences between the Governor and the Assembly prevented action being taken. In addition, the Quaker inhabitants generally refused to vote for the necessary military resources. In 1763 increased Indian attacks began to drive settlers from their homes. That December, a group of heavily armed men from Paxton on the Susquehanna river raided a village of Christianized Indians, brutally murdering six. They then went on to Lancaster where the survivors had sought refuge in the workhouse, and killed fourteen more, including women and children. "At the urging of Governor John Penn the Assembly passed this act in the compass of one day in order to deal with the Paxton Boys intent on marching from Lancaster to Philadelphia and killing the Indians lodged for safety on Province Island. The act extended to Pennsylvania for a brief time the terms of the British Riot Act of 1715..." Miller. The text of the act was reprinted in the Pennsylvania Gazette, 9 February 1764.