USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Hardwick > History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, with a genealogical register > Part 8
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65
CIVIL HISTORY.
The publication of the Stamp Act produced great excitement in Boston, and some grossly violent deeds of the populace were the natural result. In August, 1765, by hanging him in effigy, breaking into his house, and destroying part of his furniture, some of the inhabitants had induced Mr. Secretary Oliver to promise that he would not act as Distributor of Stamps ; and on the evening of the 26th of the same month they attacked the house of Lieutenant-governor Hutchinson, who had rendered himself extremely obnoxious by his subserviency to the British ministry, and " destroyed, carried away, or cast into the street, every thing that was in the house ; demolished every part of it, except the walls, as far as lay in their power ; and had begun to break away the brick-work. The damage was estimated at about twenty-five hundred pounds sterling, without any regard to a great collection of public as well as private papers in the posses- sion and custody of the Lieutenant-governor."1 The Governor recommended that the General Court should provide compensa- tion to the sufferers, but the court declined to act. A year later, however, the odious Stamp Act was repealed, and a demand was made by the British government that the loss should be made good. The General Court, after long debate, enacted a resolve, granting compensation to the sufferers, and at the same time a free pardon to all " who had been guilty of any crimes or offences against law, occasioned by the late troubles." This act was dis- approved by the King, but the money was paid and no prosecu- tions of offenders followed. 2
Meanwhile, before the final settlement of this affair, this town expressed an opinion : -
" At a town-meeting in Hardwick duly warned the 15th day of August A. D. 1766, first chose Deac. Joseph Allen, Modera- tor. 2d, Voted to give the following instructions to Timothy Ruggles, Esq., the present representative of said [town], re- pecting the indemnification of the late sufferers by riots and tumults in the town of Boston. - First. We reflect upon the disorders that from time to time have been perpetrated to the great terror of the good people of that town, in evil example to others, and the great loss and damage that some of them have sustained, with the utmost abhorrence, hereby declaring our greatest readiness to do every thing in our power that justice be done to those unhappy sufferers, as well as the persons concerned in the perpetration of those horrid crimes. - Secondly. That at
1 Hutchinson's Hist. Mass., iii. 124. 2 Ibid., iii. 158-160.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
any sessions of the General Court, while you are a member thereof, you use your utmost endeavors that the persons con- cerned in those crimes be discovered and discountenanced by all proper and lawful means, that they and their accomplices be obliged to make good all damages to the sufferers. - Thirdly. In case of their inability, that you use your endeavors that those damages be made good by the town of Boston, as we have been informed that numbers of the inhabitants were spectators of these horrid scenes, without interposition to prevent them. - Fourthly. You are not to [consent to] the moneys being paid out of the Province Treasury, to make good those losses, unless at the same time it be resolved by the House that it shall be added to the taxes of the town of Boston, and collected ac- cordingly. - Fifthly. That you take due care that the damages be justly stated and estimated, and no more be voted to any person [than] the loss he really sustained."
The town acted once more on this subject. At a town-meeting, November 28, 1766, under a warrant " to consider of a Bill pend- ing in the House of Representatives of this Province, entitled ' An Act for granting compensation to the sufferers, and of free and general pardon, indemnity and oblivion, to the offenders, in the late riots,' - Voted, that, as it appears to the said town to be his Majesties most gracious intention that compensation should be made to the sufferers in said Bill mentioned, that Timothy Ruggles, Esq., the present Representative of said Hardwick do vote for the substance of said Bill, and that he use his influence to obtain an Act of the General Court, which [he] shall think has the most proper tendency to prevent future disturbances. As to the other parts of said Bill, we leave it to his discretion to act as he may think proper and best for the interest of the Province."
Among the measures adopted by the "Sons of Liberty," in this controversy with the British government, was substantially the non-consumption of foreign goods. This was designed to produce a twofold effect ; it would prevent the government from obtaining any revenue under the form of duties, and would tend to create dissatisfaction among the English manufacturers, and enlist them against the oppressive acts of Parliament. For this purpose, a preamble and two resolutions, so carefully and guard- edly drawn that they might not have attracted notice under other circumstances, were reported by a committee consisting of the
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CIVIL HISTORY.
Speaker, Samuel Adams, Samuel Dexter, Ebenezer Thayer, and John Hancock, and adopted by the House of Representatives, February 26, 1768, by a vote of eighty-one in the affirmative against a single negative, to wit : " Whereas the happiness and well-being of civil communities depend upon industry, economy, and good morals, and this house taking into consideration the great decay of the trade of the province, the scarcity of money, the heavy debt contracted in the late war, which still remains on the people, and the great difficulties to which they are by these means reduced ;
" Resolved, That this house will use their utmost endeavors, and enforce their endeavors by example, in suppressing extrava- gance, idleness, and vice, and promoting industry, economy, and good morals, in their respective towns.
" And in order to prevent the unnecessary exportation of money, of which this province has been of late so much drained, it is further Resolved, That this house will by all prudent means endeavor to discountenance the use of foreign superfluities, and to encourage the manufactures of this province."
Brigadier Ruggles requested liberty to enter upon the Journal of the House his reasons for dissent ; but his request was refused. He therefore caused them to be printed in the " Boston Chroni- cle," March 7, 1768: -
" Province of Massachusetts Bay, Feb. 29, 1768. Mr. Speaker, The honorable house of representatives of this province, on the 26th instant, having resolved that they will use their utmost endeavors, and enforce the same by example, in suppressing ex- travagance, idleness, and vice, and promoting industry, economy, and good morals in their respective towns. And in order to pre- vent the unnecessary exportation of money, of which the province has of late been so much drained, they further resolved that they would by all prudent means endeavor to discountenance the use of foreign superfluities, and to encourage the manufactures of this province.
" The passing said resolutions being determined by yea and nay, the representative of the town of Hardwicke being the only one who answered nay to the question put for passing said reso- lutions, begs leave to explain himself upon his dissenting answer, and says, that he had no objection to the resolution of endeavor- ing to suppress extravagance, idleness, and vice, and promot- ing industry, economy, and good morals, but was pleased with
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
the appearance of such necessary reformation ; nor has he any objection to the encouraging any manufactures 1 which do not interfere with those of the mother country, but on the contrary might be beneficial to both that and this country. But as it is generally supposed that the true interest of this province consists in the cultivation of a good harmony with their mother country, the improvement of the land, and the encouragement of a legal trade, it is humbly apprehended it cannot be for the interest of this people to encourage manufactures in general, for the follow- ing reasons : -
"1. Because in all countries, manufactures are set up at the expense of husbandry, or other general employment of the peo- ple ; and if they have not peculiar advantages over husbandry, they will, by discouraging the latter, do the country more harm than good.
"2. That in this country, manufactures are so far from having peculiar advantages that they lie under insurmountable difficul- ties, of which thinness of people, and the consequence of it, high price of labor, are the chief ; and therefore they can never balance the mischief they will do by taking the hands off the husbandry and fishery.
" 3. That at all times it behoves us to avoid setting up any busi- ness which may be detrimental to the mother country, as the preservation of a good understanding between Great Britain and her colonies is essential to the welfare of both.
"4. That at the time when we are petitioning for redress, to give particular encouragement to manufactures will look like a threat against and a defiance of Great Britain, and will bring a resentment against the province, as it is said the like proceedings have already done against the town of Boston.
" 5. That if by these and other means, an actual breach should be made between Great Britain and her colonies in general, or this in particular, whoever gets the victory, we are undone. Wherefore he humbly begs leave to enter his dissent to the said resolution, and to pray that it may be entered in the Journal.
" TIMOTHY RUGGLES.
" In the House of Representatives 29th Feb. 1768. The hon- orable Timothy Ruggles, Esq., offered this paper to the house.
1 Domestic manufactures were encour- stand on the ground where it is now built, provided we have a good workman, and one that minds his business."
aged by the town; and it was voted, 17th November, 1774, "that the hatter's shop
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CIVIL HISTORY.
And the question being put whether the same shall be entered on the journals of the house, past in the negative.
" Attest SAMUEL ADAMS, Clerk."
The resolutions to which Brigadier Ruggles dissented were doubtless consistent with the intention cherished by many, though not yet openly avowed, - to dissolve all political connection with the mother country, and to become independent ; but he was right in describing them as inconsistent with an honest desire for "the preservation of a good understanding between Great Britain and her colonies," and as tending to produce "an actual breach " between them. And although rich and abundant blessings in due time resulted from that " breach," his prediction of its im- mediate disastrous results was substantially accurate. The new- born nation came out of the conflict financially " ruined ; " it was utterly bankrupt, and was compelled to repudiate its debt to its own citizens, and to refuse payment of its " bills of credit," which it had issued as money to defray the expense of the long war. The inability of the colonists to become successful rivals of Great Britain in general manufactures was also correctly stated. They might make and wear homespun cloth, if they chose to do so ; but they could not manufacture the finer goods, except at a cost greatly exceeding that of the imported articles. The causes of this inability, assigned by Brigadier Ruggles, long remained oper- ative. It was nearly half a century before general manufactures became prosperous in this country, and even then only because they were sustained by a subsidy, or artificial aid, called " pro- tection," in the form of a high tariff of duties on foreign manu- factured goods ; indeed a full century elapsed before they could successfully compete in foreign markets with similar goods manu- factured in Europe.
Up to this time, and for two years afterwards, the inhabitants of Hardwick evidently hoped for a peaceful solution of the con- troversy between the Province and the British Parliament, and manifested their approval of the method pursued by Brigadier Ruggles for the attainment of that result, as in 1770, for the fif- teenth time, they again elected him as their representative in the General Court. They also associated with him, Daniel Oliver,1 a
1 Son of Andrew Oliver, who grad. H. died in 1774. Daniel, the son, grad. H. C. 1724, was successively Secretary and C. 1762, became a refugee, and died in Lieutenant-governor of the Province, and England in 1826.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
young lawyer whom he had introduced into practice here, and who was known to agree with him in politics. About this time, however, they seem to have lost confidence in the measures here- tofore adopted, though they still desired a reconciliation with Great Britain, rather than a separation. In 1771 and 1772 they sent no representative ; but in 1773 they elected Paul Mandell, a man of less dignity than Brigadier Ruggles, but of different pol- itics, and equally resolute in their maintenance.
May 19, 1773 : At a town-meeting, it was " Voted, That rela- tive to the Book 1 sent from Boston, that our rights and privileges are infringed upon.
" Chose a committee of seven men, viz., Capt. William Paige, Stephen Rice, Daniel Warner, Thomas Robinson, Asa Whitcomb, Ebenezer Washburn, and Ens. Edward Ruggles, to draw up in -. structions for our representative, and lay them before the town on the 14th day of June next, at one o'clock afternoon."
June 14, 1773. The committee reported instructions, which were adopted : -
" To Capt. Paul Mandell, Representative for the town of Hard- wick. We esteem it of very great importance that our natural and constitutional rights, as men, as Christians, and as subjects, be preserved inviolate ; so any alarm of their being unjustly ar- rested from us, - more especially as they are privileges that were purchased by the blood and treasure of our worthy and renowned ancestors, and handed down as a free and good right of inheritance to us, their posterity, - torn away by an oppressing hand, fills us not only with fear, concern and grief, but also warms our breasts, and will ever engage us to join with our aggrieved brethren, not only of this, but also with those of our neighboring colonies, in pursuing every lawful and prudent method whereby we may obtain redress, which we look upon to be our duty and interest at a time thus melancholy and distressing. Beholding innovations that have been already made on our natural and constitutional rights, the perplexities in which our public affairs are involved, the heavy burdens under which we together with by far the greatest part of these American Colonies are groaning on ac-
1 This " Book " was issued by the Com- mittee of Correspondence elected by the town of Boston, November 2, 1772, "to state the rights of the colouies, and of this province in particular, as men, as chris- tians, and as subjects; to communicate and publish the same to the several
towns in the province and to the world, as the sense of this town, with the infringe- ments and violations thereof that have been, or from time to time may be made ; also requesting of each town a free com- munication of their sentiments on this subject."
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CIVIL HISTORY.
count hereof, and as yet unheard complaining of, give us great reason to look forward to that distressing day when the plan of Despotism which we fear the enemies of our invaluable rights have concerted shall be accomplished, which no sooner than it should take place must involve us and our posterity in a state of slavery, and we and they viewed in no other point of light than machines of mere arbitrary power and lawless ambition; the thought of which will not suffer us any longer to conceal our im- patience, secrete our sentiments, or neglect using all lawful and constitutional measures to quiet our fears, redress our grievances, and prevent if possible that [which], should it take place, would of consequence, involve us and our posterity in a state of abject slavery. As, therefore, we, the inhabitants of the town of Hard- wick, have made choice of you, Sir, to represent us in the Great and General Court of this Province, this present year, do repose confidence in you, and expect you will exert yourself in every proper and constitutional way for the securing and maintaining our rights and privileges, and for the supporting our ancient happy form of government. Although the situation of our affairs with respect to the state of the colonies, and this in particular, has of late and still does wear a dark and gloomy aspect, in our opinion threatening the ruin of our happy constitution, [we] however rejoice that we are not as yet denied the privilege of choosing some person from among us, to represent us in the Great and General Court of this Province; and although the repre- sentative body have not heretofore had that regard paid to them which we earnestly wished for, and had just reason to expect from the order of happy constitution (which has been greatly discouraging to us in choosing any person to represent us, fearing lest that the original purposes designed would fail of being an- swered hereby), yet having a respect to and looking upon our- selves under indispensable obligations to do all we can to main- tain and defend that good and orderly government by which the people of this province have been long distinguished, - we send you forth, and recommend to your vigilance, wisdom, and integ- rity, the important concerns of this aggrieved and oppressed peo- ple ; taking it for granted that a regard to your own honor and interest, as well as a regard to the honor and welfare of those who have chosen you to represent them, will make you truly attentive to every thing that shall tend to secure us in a free and full enjoyment of all our constitutional rights, carefully guarding against and vigorously opposing (as you would never
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
betray your constituents nor prove unfaithful to your trust) every thing and every attempt that shall naturally tend to destroy our ancient privileges ; and that you will never give up that right into the power of others, which the law of God, nature, and na- tions hath invested us with: And as we are of opinion that the most likely and effectual way to gain the Royal ear, and obtain a redress of our grievances, is by petitioning our most gracious Sovereign in all proper and constitutional ways, and at all times proving ourselves loyal and dutiful subjects, so we particularly recommend this to your serious consideration, hoping you will always be ready to join with others in this and all other measures that shall be likely to relieve us in the most easy and happy. man- ner, and most effectually secure our invaluable rights and privi- leges, and restore that mutual harmony and confidence between .. the British nation and the American colonies, which we look upon to be of the utmost importance and necessity to secure the emolument and welfare of both ; and in this way we hope (under the smiles of heaven) our natural rights as Christians and sub- jects will be fixed on such a sure basis as that all future attempts to invade or destroy them, will prove entirely fruitless and abor- tive."
These instructions, probably drawn up by Ebenezer Washburn the village school-master and poet (one of the committee), though not very concise, nor wholly grammatical, with some circumlocu- tion and repetitions, clearly enough express two ideas, which were, probably, uppermost in the minds of the inhabitants : (1.) Loy- alty to the King, notwithstanding their dissatisfaction with the proceedings of the Parliament, - even as American citizens now preserve sincere loyalty to the country, however much they may disapprove the proceedings of the dominant majority in Congress for the time being ; and hence they still desired a reconciliation, and a permanent union with the mother country on just and hon- orable terms; and (2.) a determination to unite with the other towns in the Province in resisting the parliamentary encroach- ments on their rights and privileges, in the most effectual manner. Although no distinct reference is made to resistance by force of arms, it is clearly enough implied.
In August, 1774, Brigadier Ruggles took his final leave of this town, for whose material prosperity he had labored so earnestly and successfully during the last twenty years, and whose politi- cal guide and leader he had been acknowledged until recently.
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CIVIL HISTORY.
Although he had now forfeited the favor of the Sons of Liberty, by opposing their revolutionary proceedings, he had secured and retained the approbation of the King by his loyalty. He was this year designated as one of the thirty-six members of the Coun- cil, appointed by mandamus, for the government of the Province (of whom twelve declined the office, and nine soon resigned), and was one of the fifteen who did not shrink from the responsibility of the difficult and hazardous position, and was sworn into office August 16, 1774.
It was the current tradition among his contemporaries, that when he left Hardwick to take his seat in the Mandamus Coun- cil, a multitude assembled at the bridge, near the old Furnace, to prevent him from crossing. His brother, Captain Benjamin Ruggles, was a leader and the chief speaker. After using other persuasions and expostulations in vain, Benjamin, with much solemnity, assured his brother, that if he persisted in proceeding to Boston, he would never be permitted to return. The Briga- dier's warlike spirit was roused. " Brother Benjamin," said he, "I shall come back, -at the head of five hundred soldiers, if necessary." "Brother Timothy," was the reply, "if you cross that bridge, this morning, you will certainly never cross it again- alive." The General waved his hand, and proceeded at a delib- erate pace ; the crowd gave way, and he crossed the bridge, - and crossed it for the last time. He never returned; and the two brothers saw each other no more in this world.
I anticipate the order of events a few months, to close my account of Brigadier Ruggles' connection with the revolutionary contest, so far as it had any immediate reference to Hardwick. At the last session of the first Provincial Congress, in Cambridge, December 10, 1774, " the committee appointed to take into con- sideration the letter and papers enclosed, received from the com- mittee of correspondence of the town of Hardwick, reported; which was read and accepted, and ordered to be published in the public papers, and also the papers on which the said report is founded. The report is as followeth, viz : - Whereas it appears to this Congress, that one or more members of the lately appointed unconstitutional council in this province, now residing in Boston, has sent to the town of Hardwick a paper, purporting [to be] an association to be entered into by those persons who falsely assume the name of friends to government, calculated to counteract the salutary designs of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, to
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
deceive the people into agreements contrary to the welfare of this country, and tending in its consequences to hinder an amicable accommodation with our mother country, the sole end of these Congresses, and the ardent wish of every friend to America : 1 it is therefore recommended by this Congress, to the several com- mittees of correspondence in this colony, that they give notice to the Provincial Congress, that shall meet in this province on the first day of February next, and the earliest notice to the public, of all such combinations, and of the persons signing the same, if any should be enticed thereto, that their names may be published to the world, their persons treated with that neglect, and their memories transmitted to posterity with that ignominy, which such unnatural conduct must deserve." 2
The order of Congress, for the publication of these proceedings, .. not having been immediately carried into effect, Brigadier Rug- gles caused the " Association " to be published in the " Boston Evening Post," December 26, 1774, with a prefatory letter : -
"To the Printer of the Boston News-Paper : As Messrs. Edes and Gill, in their paper of Monday the 12th instant, were pleased to acquaint the public that ' the Association sent by Brigadier Ruggles, &c., to the town of Hardwicke, &c., together with his Son's certificate thereof, and the resolves of the Provincial Con- gress thereon, must be referred till their next,' I was so credulous as to expect then to have seen their next paper adorned with the form of an Association which would have done honor to it, and if attended to and complied with by the good people of the prov- ince, might have put it in the power of any one very easily to have distinguished such loyal subjects to the King, as dare to assert their rights to freedom, in all respects consistent with the laws of the land, from such rebellious ones as, under the pretext of being friends to liberty, are frequently committing the most enormous outrages upon the persons and properties of such of his Majesty's peaceable subjects who, for want of knowing who to call upon (in these distracted times) for assistance, fall into the hands of a banditti, whose cruelties surpass those of savages : - But find-
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