Thus, for the paltry price of a drove of hogs, was an honest man ruined, and, for fear of detection, murdered.
CHAPTER XII.
Probably in no era of the world, and certainly never among a Christian people, was there formed a more bold, daring, and, at the same time, secret association, than the one whose constitution and by-laws we now present to the reader. Composed of men of all classes and grades in society, from the priest at the altar, the judge on the bench, the lawyer at the bar, down to the most common felon and street thief or pickpocket, all bound together by a solemn oath, they laboured for the general cause of secret plunder, to the enriching of themselves at the expense of the mass. But having previously shown how I procured my information regarding these desperadoes, I shall leave farther comment on their acts, for the present, to the public, before whose tribunal they must be arraigned, and proceed at once to present their
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.
Hanging Rock, Western District of Virginia,
July 12, 1798.
Section I.—Art. 1. This society shall be known by the name of the Secret Band of Brothers.
Art. 2. It shall be governed by brethren who have become prominent by their many valiant deeds for the promotion of the society.
Art. 3. The officers of this society shall be known as Grand Masters, and shall be duly authorized, by this constitution, to initiate, as members of this society, any male or female, who comes well and duly recommended by a brother, in good standing, as having served the probation which this constitution requires.