The lack of specie and paper currency in circulation made the payment of debts difficult for poor farmers.

Eventually the Regulators in Rockingham County armed themselves and marched on Exeter to demand the New Hampshire General Court immediately issue money.

New Hampshire's President at the time, John Sullivan, was able to calm the situation, and convinced the mob to disperse for the night.

Congress had issued a requisition to the states in order to pay off their debt, roughly 30% of which was to be paid in hard currency.

The result was a shortage of money circulating within the states, leaving many farmers unable to pay their personal debts.

[3] In 1782, armed rioters in Keene shut down the courthouse, in an attempt to stall cases being heard regarding debts.

John Sullivan was the state's attorney general at the time, and on his way into Keene when he heard about the armed mob.

Feeling that they had achieved their goal, the rioters left the court to its business, and cheered General Sullivan for hearing their demands.

The lack of currency continued to plague debtors, and they were forced to liquidate property, or even face prison sentences.

Many who supported the petitions began to spread rumors that the bill had already passed, and the disenfranchised would be refunded the value of their seized property.

[6] The mob was led by three men: Joseph French from Hampstead, James Cochran from Pembroke, and John McKean from Londonderry.

Their plan was to surround the town meeting house (where the General Court typically conducted business), and to force the assembly to print currency.

Now that the legislature was free to exit the church, they granted President Sullivan the power to send word out to nearby towns and call upon the militia.

They marched until they were near the rebels' camp, then a cavalry detachment under the command of Joseph Cilley crossed the river and cut off their retreat.

The following day, French, Cochrane, and McKean were brought before the General Court to answer to the charge of treason.

President Sullivan outlawed conventions for the purpose of petitioning the government, because they were considered to undermine the state's authority.