John Adams: [while cross-examining a witness who claims several men were carrying clubs] A lawful assembly. Not a riot, a lawful assembly in which people were carrying clubs. To make certain nothing unlawful occurred, perhaps?
Mr. Goddard: The men are rope makers, sir. As any true Boston man would know, the clubs they were carrying are for beating out rope.
John Adams: For beating out rope, indeed. But could they not also be used for beating out men's brains?
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