USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts, for two hundred years: from the year 1620 to 1820 > Part 13
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* In 1753, on the anniversary of the society for promoting industry, three hundred females of Boston assembled on the common with spinning wheels. They were neatly attired, in cloth of their own manufacture ; and a great croud of spectators collected to witness the scene.
t The congregational form of church government was, in effect, the estab- lished ecclesiastical system in Massachusetts. It was the only form sup- ported or tolerated for the first fifty years; and the towns were required to settle and maintain ministers of that communion. Afterwards, laws were made more favorable to Episcopalians, to Anabaptists and to Quakers. But the first laws only provided to exempt the polls, while the estate was taxed for the support of the congregational clergy. The civil authority favored the congregational churches, and none others, till the parent government required that different denominations should be tolerated and protected. A more catholic spirit was beginning to prevail, at this period, and there were less denunciations of opposing sects, except that the papists were con- demned as wholly antichristian. Most of the clergy were poor ; and, as might, therefore, be expected, had little time for literary pursuits; but there were some among them who were laborious students and learned theo- logians.
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should be regulated by Massachusetts, and that they would submit to the laws of that jurisdiction.
Complaints continued to be made against Massachusetts, both by the ministry and a portion of the merchants in England, for disregarding the regulations of trade, as enjoined by the parent government. There was just cause for these com- plaints, in many instances, of evading the payment of duties. For there was such a general impression, that these acts of parlia- ment for raising a revenue chiefly for the benefit of England, while the province had a debt and current expenses of its own to meet, were unjust, that they were evaded, when it could be done, with impunity. To the charge of disregarding the restrictive parts of those laws, prohibiting trade with French, Spanish, and Portuguese ports, the general court and people of Massachu- setts replied, that it was an oppressive regulation, and operated greatly to their injury. But the British government insisted upon its right to legislate, in this respect, over the colonies ; and it was for the benefit of England to have the whole colonial trade centre in that kingdom. The chief object with the British ministry was the prosperity and wealth of old England; the growth of the colonies was quite a secondary consideration, farther than they could be made to minister to the resources of that country. This was long an occasion of dispute and diffi- culty between Great Britain and her colonies on the American continent ; and was one of the causes which afterwards led to the contest, which issued in their independence. It was gen- erally admitted, that parliament had the right to regulate foreign trade, though this was not always granted, as the regu- lations operated against the prosperity of the colonies; but when the revenue was ordered to be entirely for the benefit of England, the right was denied, or its exercise represented as oppressive and unjust in its effects. For this was said to be the same as laying taxes on the people in the colonies, for the support of the parent government, when they were not represented in the legislative body which made the laws for levying them. And this was a principle which they always opposed as arbi- trary, and to which they appeared resolved never to submit.
At this period, and in this state of opinion in both countries, the ministry adopted or revived the policy of obliging the colonies to receive all their cloths, and other products of foreign 'importation, from England; and discouraged the introduction or extension of manufactures into America. The manufacture of iron into nails was prohibited, though there were materials in the country. There were then four such manufactories in
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Massachusetts, two in Middleborough, one at Hanover, and one at Milton.
Massachusetts usually employed an agent in England, to represent the wants and condition of the province, and to be ready to answer such complaints as might be made against it, by its jealous or interested enemies. He was active in obtain- ing a reimbursement, by parliament, of the expenses of the province in the expeditions against Louisbourg and Crown Point; and at all times had the reputation of an able and faith- ful agent. He was also instructed to solicit aid for supporting the forts on the frontiers, to pray for exemption from impress- ments, and to prevail with the British government to direct, that, in future wars, the colonies should bear their respective proportions of the expense.
The spirit of the people of Massachusetts, at this era, and their promptness to assume the character of soldiers, when the province was in danger, were often displayed. When sum- moned by the king, or their more immediate rulers, to go forth against the enemies of the country, they readily obeyed ; and when the hour of danger was over, with a few exceptions, they returned to their homes and resumed their common occupa- tions. In 1747, there was a report spread through the pro- vince, that a large French fleet had been fitted out to invade the coasts of New England, and to make an attack on Boston. The rumor in the interior was, that they were already on the coasts. A large body of the militia, estimated at six thousand five hundred, assembled in the capital, as soon as the report reached them, duly equipped, with fourteen days provisions ; and some of them marched seventy miles.
The numerous and expensive military enterprises, which were undertaken during several years, necessarily produced heavy taxes, though England had made allowances for a part of the expenses of two of these expeditions. The tax of the province, in 1748, was £415,512, old tenor, or £41,550 sterl- ing. Of this sum, Boston paid £65,520, or £6,550 sterling. The whole number of inhabitants was estimated at 160,000; and Boston contained 16,000 of the whole. A calculation was afterwards made, on the subject of the increase of population of New England, when the opinion was given, that it doubled in twenty or twenty-five years. But this was not the fact from 1690 to 1750, in consequence of the loss of lives, in the many wars in that period of years.
There were two collectors of the customs, arising from im- portations and foreign tonnage, one in Boston and one in Salem. For the year 1748, the number of vessels cleared at
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each of those ports, was as follows: At Boston, 540 foreign vessels, and of American vessels for foreign voyages, 491: at Salem, 131 vessels were cleared for foreign voyages. Large quantities of rum were manufactured in Massachusetts, at this time; according to some statements, fifteen thousand hogsheads annually. It was partly consumed in the province, and much exported to the southern colonies, to Nova Scotia and New- foundland, and to the coasts of Guinea.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Gov. Shirley returns-Lt. Gov. Phipps-Indians hostile-Forts built on Kennebec-Treaty with six nations-Proposal of a union of the Colonies -Heavy taxes-Excise proposed-Printer imprisoned for a libel-Further preparations for war-Expedition to Nova Scotia and against Canada unsuccessful-Opposers of Shirley-Expedition to Oswego, and to Crown Point-Earthquake-New Campaign-Gov. Shirley made Commander in Chief-Gen. Winslow-Shirley superseded by Gen. Abercrombie, and returned to England-Campaign of 1756 unsuccessful-Great expenses to the province-Rogers' Rangers.
GOVERNOR SHIRLEY returned to America, in 1753, and re- sumed the administration of Massachusetts. For the four years he was absent, Lieutenant Governor Phipps was commander in chief of the province. Under his administration the treaty was made with the eastern tribes of Indians, in October, 1749, and an exchange of prisoners was effected soon after, when several citizens of Massachusetts, who had been taken by the Indians, on the western frontiers, were restored to their friends. A call was made on Lieutenant Governor Phipps, in 1749-50, by the British commander in Nova Scotia, for assistance against the Indians, who were instigated by the French to invade that territory. He was unwilling to make war on the Penobscot tribe, as he was urged, without first attempting pacific negotia- tion. But he gave some aid, by troops from the province, to the British officer: the public armed sloop was put under his command, and the French governor of Canada, who encouraged the Indian tribes in their invasion of Nova Scotia, was notified that Massachusetts would make common cause with the British in that quarter.
The following year, the Canadian Indians attacked several places on the Kennebec River, near Fort Richmond, and below at Arowsick Island, where they burnt dwelling houses and made a few prisoners. The immediate provocation to these wrongs was a dispute which had happened near Sheepscot River, between the English settlers and some Indians of the Norridgewock tribe, in which one of the latter was killed. The general court ordered that one hundred and fifty men be raised, as a scouting
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party, for the defence of the frontier settlements. As the Canadian Indians still manifested a hostile spirit towards the English, and were endeavoring to engage the eastern tribes to attack the frontier settlements in that quarter, another conven- tion was held at Georges River, in 1757, and the articles of a treaty formed two years before, were agreed to be observed. But on the return of Governor Shirley, who had reason to fear new attacks from the Indians, by the instigations of the French in Canada, he sent commissioners again to treat with them, to obtain new and solemn pledges of peace. He seems to have expected that there would soon be war again between England and France ; and would, therefore, if possible, gain the friend- ship of the Indian tribes before it commenced. Probably, in his negotiations at Paris, he perceived indications of a purpose of the French government, which was afterwards disclosed, of a formidable armament against British America, with a design to take possession of the whole country.
Soon after the return of Governor Shirley, the designs of the French against the British possessions began to be developed, by depredations of the Indians, both at the east and west, who did not, at this late period, attack the English, unless urged on by their ancient ally or master. The plans of the French were to maintain their territory in North America, including all which they actually possessed, and all which they claimed, to a great part of which the English pleaded a prior title; and they probably had an ultimate design of obtaining possession of the whole country ; for so important were the settlements of the country, at this period, that the nation which should have possession of the whole, or the greater part, would have a pre- ponderating power in Europe. The first step in the prosecu- tion of this design, was to erect forts on the western borders, to a great extent, and several of these were on the territory claimed by the English. Those on Lakes Champlain and St. George, and on the river Ohio, were of this description.
This conduct on the part of the French could not but create alarm to England and her colonies ; and Governor Shirley particularly, viewed it with great concern. He immediately took measures of precaution, though war had not been for- merly declared. In the summer of 1754, accompanied by several gentlemen, and 500 men under command of General Winslow, he visited Falmouth, where he renewed the articles of former treaties with the eastern Indians ; and thence proceeded to the Kennebec and explored the river as far as the great falls, thirty miles above Norridgewock, but discovered no Indian forts, which it had been reported were erecting there. During
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this expedition, and with the approbation of the general court, in order to protect the eastern frontiers of the province, two forts were built on that river ; one on the present site of Augusta, on the eastern bank ; and one eighteen miles higher, at the junction of the main river with the Sebasticook, opposite the Teconnett falls.
While these measures of precaution were taken by Massa- chusetts alone, at the instance of her provident and intelligent governor, the British ministry, with a view to the protection of all the colonies, supposed to be in great danger from the French in Canada, proposed a convention to be composed of delegates from each provincial government, to secure the friendship of the Indian tribes, called the Six Nations. They had, in indeed, been long in amity with the English, and had acknowledged themselves subject to the British king. But it was important to brighten the chain of friendship anew ; especially, as they had been dissatisfied with the conduct of New York. This meeting was holden in Albany, in June, 1754 ; but only six provinces had delegates attending it. About 150 of the Six Nations were present, who professed friendly sentiments for the English, but desired some assuran- ces might be given that no encroachments should be made on their territory. This assurance was given, as well as that of pro- tection against the French and the tribes in alliance with them; and large presents were distributed, as was usual on such occasions.
At this convention, it was proposed to form a union of the colonies, from New Hampshire to South Carolina inclusive, under one general government, for the purpose of common defence ; each province, or colony however, to retain its con- stitution and charter, except as to general powers for the welfare of all. The only government which had proposed such a system before the meeting, was Massachusetts. After the convention, when the plan was laid before the several general assemblies, it was not approved ; nor did the British government urge the proposition, from an apprehension probably,that it might soon lead to independence.
The taxes at this period, as for several preceding years, were so great as to be oppressive, especially to the landhold- ers, who found it difficult to raise money, and who therefore complained that the polls and real estate were unduly rated. The complaint was considered so reasonable, that the general court manifested a wish to afford relief ; and hence originated a bill for raising money by excise on spirituous liquors, which was advocated by the members, from the inland towns, but
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opposed generally by the towns on the sea coasts excepting Boston. The opposition of the latter to the bill was not sup- posed to arise from interested motives, but from a regard to personal rights and liberty, which were in some measure violated by it. For with a design to prevent all evasions, the bill provided, that every private householder should make oath, whenever required, that the liquor which he had was purchased of a person duly licensed and that the duties had been paid. This feature of the bill was extremely obnoxious, since it authorized the officer of the customs to enter any dwelling- house where he suspected there was spirituous liquors, on which the duties had not been paid. Even the governor de- clined giving his sanction to the bill, in its original form; and there being but a small majority in favor of it, and probably, if all the members had been present, it would not have passed, it was postponed, and in the meantime submitted to the people in the several towns, for their opinion. This was a singular course of proceeding in legislation, and many doubted the policy of the measure. But the people were much divided on the subject, and it became necessary for the general court to take the responsibility entirely on themselves. After much discussion, it was passed with some alterations, which however did not change the principles of the bill; and the governor, at last, gave it his signature For this want of consistency, as it was called, he was censured by a great portion of the people ; and his motives were impeached, when the majority of the representatives who were the friends of the bill, soon after made him a liberal grant for services, which had long been solicited, but postponed.
On occasion of this excise act, and the conduct of certain members of the general court, who were accused of voting from selfish views, there was an unusual excitement of the public mind, and the spirit of the people was manifested, as is common in a free country, by severe reproaches and invectives. The language, in one of the Boston papers, was considered libellous by the general court, and the printer was arrested. After due examination, he was ordered into confinement, by the house, and kept in prison several days ; when, at the en- treaties of his family, he was dismissed with a reprimand from the speaker. The printer conceived the arrest and confinement to be illegal, and commenced a suit against the speaker for false imprisonment. His cause was not sustained by the judicial tribunal to which he appealed, the speaker was discharged, and the printer was mulct by payment of coasts.
The winter of 1754-5 was passed in maturing plans and in
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preparations for prosecuting the war withi effect the ensuing season, and in representations to the British government of the need of efficient aid from England for this object. Gov- ernor Shirley manifested his usual zeal and loyalty on this occasion. He proposed to the general court to raise men for an expedition in the spring, against Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, then in the hands of the French from Canada. The plan was suggested to them in confidence, as it was im-
portant, in his opinion, to take the enemy by surprise. The assembly soon came into his views, and granted such facilities as could be well done, till the time arrived for carrying the enterprise into execution. The general court also readily agreed to raise men, for the conquest or protection of Nova Scotia, then invaded by the French. The plan was proposed by the British government ; and it was in compliance with its requisition, that the troops were raised for that expedition. It was indeed approved and forwarded by the governor; and he hastened to Boston, from a convention, held at the south in April, by request of General Braddock, to forward the embarkation of the men destined for that eastern territory. Most of the troops in this expedition were from Massachusetts ; but as it was at the expense of England, they were to be paid the same wages as regular soldiers, and yet to be a distinct corps and under the immediate command of their own officers *. Colonel Monckton, a British officer, was appointed the comman- der-in-chief of the expedition; but the Massachusetts troops were commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) John Winslow of Plymouth county, a brave and intelligent officer. He was, in fact, the efficient leader in this prompt and successful enter- prise. His popularity was so great, that 2000 men, the num- ber required, were raised in a few weeks. He sailed from Boston towards the close of the month of May ; and before thirty days had elapsed, being joined by about 300 regular British troops, he took the two fortified places then in posses- sion of the French, which entirely put an end to their power in Nova Scotia. Louisbourg was then in the hands of France, and to that place the prisoners were sent ; while the in- habitants, who professed to be neutral, but who were thought too subservient to the French government to remain, were transported to Massachusetts and to other British provinces.
This fortunate expedition was not the only, nor the princi- pal military enterprise which engaged the attention of the
* Some difficulties arose, both before and after this period, from directing British officers to command the provincial troops.
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governor and general court of Massachusetts, at this period. At the convention in April, called by General Braddock, it was agreed, that while that officer proceeded against the enemy on the Ohio River, an attack should be made on Oswego, situated on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario near Niagara, by the two regular provincial regiments, called Shirley's and Pepperell's regiments, under Governor Shirley ; and that the expedition, projected in Massachusetts, and a favorite object, both with the governor and the general court, should pro- ceed against Crown Point, on Lake Champlain. For the last expedition, Massachusetts voted to raise 2000 troops, being a full moiety proposed for that purpose and 300 afterwards, as recruits, if they should be wanted. It was also voted to appropriate £600 for the use of the six Indian tribes in the interior of New York. The people of the pro- vince, generally, entered into the project with great ardor and promptitude ; for, after the success against the French and Indians at the eastward, the only way for those in Canada to make inroads on the settlements would be by Lake Champlain.
With all these formidable and expensive* preparations, nothing decisive or important was effected ; but, on the con- trary, the campaign closed and left matter for recollection, only of defeat, jealousies rivalries and criminations.+
General Braddock met a disastrous defeat ; himself and most of his officers being slain : and the few who escaped, were saved by the agency of Major Washington, that brave and prudent man, who, under providence, afterwards saved the whole country from tyranny and oppression. The detach- ment ordered to Oswego on Lake Ontario, though command- ed by the resolute and enterprising Shirley, could not be brought to act with effect ; from unfavorable weather, and a failure to furnish the men which had been promised. The troops which were to make an attack on fort Frederick at Crown Point, under command of General Johnson, met with various obstacles, some of which were unexpected, and others owing to a want of due caution or promptness in the com- manding officer. The forces in this enterprise were chiefly from Massachusetts and Connecticut, and were under the im-
* In consequence of these expeditions, a loan was resorted to of £50,000 ; of which £17,350 were for the Crown Point enterprise, and £12,500 for forts.
t De Lancy, the Lt. Governor of New York, and General (afterwards Sir) William Johnson were opposed to Gen. Shirley, who, after the death of Gen. Braddock, was commander-in-chief of all the British forces in America. Instead of aiding, they thwarted his plans, and were always seeking or devising pretexts for censuring him.
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mediate command of General Lyman. He was sent in ad- vance, and threw up a fort on the eastern side of the Hudson, below Lake George, and about sixty miles from Albany. General Johnson soon followed, and pushed forward to the south end of that lake ; and it was in his plan to have hasten- ed immediately to Ticonderoga, situated between the lakes George and Champlain ; there to fortify himself, and thence to proceed, if advisable, to Crown Point, which it was the chief object of the expedition to take and maintain, as a check to the enemy. But he had such reports of a formidable force at Crown Point, that he considered it imprudent to proceed further without more troops. He therefore called for recruits from several of the nearest colonies. Massachusetts, although there were then more than two thousand of her citizens in the army, voted to raise two thousand more by enlistment, or im- pressment, and offered a liberal bounty to such as should en- gage. Before these recruits were ready to march, or had reached his quarters, General Johnson had intelligence that the enemy from Crown Point were on their way to attack him. He sent out a party to reconnoitre, and if possible to prevent their approach. This party was surprised and retreated ; and the enemy continued to advance : But halting, from some unknown cause, at a short distance from the American camp, General Johnson seized the fortunate moment, and making a vigorous assault, when not expected, he routed the French and their Indian allies. This partial defeat was followed the ensuing night, by two hundred of the New Hampshire troops, falling on them unexpectedly in their quarters, and causing their entire dispersion. Colonel Williams, an officer in the Massachusetts line, who commanded the troops sent out by General Johnson to check the French, was killed in this affair .*
After the sad reverses, in other places, this brave defence was matter of some triumph, though the great object of the expedition was not accomplished. The enemy did not lose the important posts in that quarter, which it had been confi- dently predicted would be wrested from them, by such a pow- erful force as was sent against them ; nor were they in any measure discouraged from further efforts, by the very partial check they received from General Johnson.
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