Edward Garrick was a wigmaker's apprentice. He arrived at the Customs House and accused Captain Lieutenant John Goldfinch of not paying a bill owed to the master wigmaker. Garrick was hit on the side of his head by Private Hugh White. Private White used the butt of his rifle to hit Garrick.
Bartholomew Broaders was a friend of Edward Garrick. Broaders exchanged insults with Private White after White hit Garrick with his rifle. This exchange of insults attracted a large crowd of people that eventually grew to 400 people.