This practice cannot be claimed as an American invention, though it came into frequent use, on both sides, in the War of Independence. Mr. Ruskin (‘Fors Clavigera,’ Letter iii.) states that Richard Cœur-de-Lion, provided, in his laws for the government of his fleet in his expedition to Palestine, that whoever should be convicted of theft should have his head shaved, melted pitch poured upon it, and the feathers from a pillow shaken over it. This was in the year 1189. See Rymer’s ‘Foedera,’ i. 65 (1704).
1769. It is described as “the present popular Punishment for modern Delinquents.”—Boston-Gazette, Nov. 6.
1770. An Importer, covered over with Tar, would shine with an artificial Lustre.—Id., Aug. 27: from the Connecticut Courant.
1773. What think you, Captain [Ayres], of a halter round your neck—ten gallons of liquid tar decanted on your pate—with the feathers of a dozen wild geese laid over that to enliven your appearance?—Notice by the Committee on Tarring and Feathering: Newport Mercury, Dec. 20.
1774. They began to inflict upon them the modern Punishment (Tar and Feathers).—Mass. Gazette, Jan. 24. [This was for leaving the Essex Hospital before they were cleansed from the Small-pox].
1774. They proceeded to elevate Mr. Malcom from his sled into a cart, and, stripping him to buff and breeches, gave him a modern jacket, and hied him away to the liberty-tree.—Id., Jan. 31.
1774. Jan. 30, the following Hand-bill was pasted up in Boston: “Brethren, and Fellow Citizens! This is to certify, that the modern punishment lately inflicted on the ignoble John Malcom was not done by our Order.—We reserve that Method for bringing Villains of greater Consequence to a Sense of Guilt and Infamy. JOYCE, junr. (Chairman of the Committee on Taring and Feathering).—Boston-Gazette, Jan. 31.
1774. King.—I see they threatened to pitch and feather you.
Hutchinson.—Tarr & feather, may it please your Majesty; but I don’t remember that ever I was threatened with it.
Lord Dartmouth.—Oh! yes, when Malcolm was tarred and feathered, the committee for tarring and feathering blamed the people for doing it, that being a punishment resd for a higher person, and we suppose you was intended.—Thomas Hutchinson, ‘Diary,’ July 1 (i. 164).
1774. The Tea-Merchant cry’d for Quarter, begging they wou’d not cloath him in the modern dress, the Weather being excessively hot.—Boston-Gazette, Sept. 5.
1774. The sons of liberty have almost killed one of my church, tarred and feathered two, abused others, &c.—Rev. Samuel Peters to Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, Oct. 1: id., Oct. 24.
1775. As I have ever been an Enemy to Mobs and Riots, so I always abhorred the infernal Practice of stripping a man naked, tarring and feathering his Body, and carting him through the Streets.—Letter in the Mass. Gazette, March 13.
1775. [The British retaliate.] The hand of despotism has seized our most darling privilege with ruthless gripe. On Thursday, twelve regulars tarred and feathered a minute man,—I believe he is an officer.—(Letter in same column.)
1775. See also a graphic description of a tarring and feathering by the soldiers.—Id., p. 3, col. 2.
1775. Thomas Ditson, jun., makes affidavit to his being seized by the British:—“Then came in a soldier with a bucket of tar and a pillowbear of feathers. I was made to strip, which I did to my breeches; they then tarred and feathered me, and while they were doing it an officer who stood at the door said, ‘Tar and feather his breeches,’ which they accordingly did.”—Newport Mercury, March 20.
