USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > History of Massachusetts from July 1775, when general Washington took command of the American Army at Cambridge, to the year 1789, (inclusive) when federal government was established under the present constitution, Vol 2 > Part 13
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officially given to the General Court, that the Constitution was accepted by the people, and that the convention had fixed, as authorised by the people in their returns of votes, on the last Wednesday of October, for the organization of the government, agreeably to its provisions. The election of governor, lieutenant-governor, and se- nators, took place on the first of September; and the representatives were chosen in the month of October, and ten days previously to the last Wednesday.
In pursuance of a plan of Congress to prevent the depreciation of paper money, and to remedy the evils and sufferings it produced, that body, early in the year 1780, resolved, that 15,000,000 dollars should be called in monthly, for the term of one year ; and the several states were required to provide for collecting their respective quotas. The whole amount of paper which Congress had issued was about 160,000,000 dollars. The por- tion to Massachusetts of the 15,000,000, to be paid or called in monthly, was 2,000,000. But the bills had become so much depreciated, that, at the rate of exchange of paper for specie, which was now one for forty, the sum was really but 50,000 per month. This even was a large amount, and the state was not able to raise it. A part of the plan of Congress, therefore, was that each state should either become debtors to those who brought in the old continental paper, and become answerable to pay them at a future period, or periods, and charge the same to the continent ; or should have a new emission of bills, amounting to one twentieth of the sum called in from circulation and destroyed. The new bills were to be considered equal to spex
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cie ; and to keep up their value, Congress also engaged to be responsible for their payment, and to pledge the faith and credit of the continent ; and advised the several states to provide for their redemption and payment, by annual instalments, within the period of six years. A great quantity of depreciated paper was thus taken out of cir- culation; and a new emission substituted, of far less amount indeed, but which retained its nominal value only a short period. This was a necessary consequence of the heavy debt, which the state was then owing, and of an apprehension that it would not be able to redeem the bills at the nomi- nal value, or within the time promised. It was at- tempted also to borrow specie ; but for the rea- sons here suggested, the attempt was attended with very little success.
The debt of Massachusetts, exclusive of the amount which the state had to provide, as its quo- ta of continental arrears, at this time, was nomi- nally two hundred millions of dollars ; though, (on the calculation before mentioned, of forty for one,) the difference between the bills to be paid and specie, or the new bills to be issued, was so great, that the debt was really but five millions .* And it is also to be considered, that if the state was liable for this amount, it had large claims on Con- gress ; as much of the expenses incurred for seve- ral years, were for continental purposes, and a re- imbursement would be required. The amount, for which the state would be solely and eventually
* The valuation returns at this time gave but 11 millions as the property of the state; but it was supposed to be double that amount.
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liable, therefore, would be less than the debt standing against it.
In March and April of 1780, two tax bills were voted, amounting in the whole to nearly a million of dollars, in specie value, or if paid in the new bills then ordered to be issued; by which 36 mil- lions of depreciated paper, which were then forty for one, would be called in. And these were or- dered to be defaced or destroyed, and bills of the new emission to be put in circulation. One third of the amount of the new emission was ordered to be retained for the use of the state, and the re- sidue appropriated to purposes of the continent, as Congress might direct. It was also resolved by the legislature, that an annual tax of 240,000 dol- lars should be laid for seven years, to enable the state to fulfil its promises to the public creditors, including the officers and soldiers of the army. And it was provided, that if the Court should not pass a tax bill to that amount in any of these years, the treasurer should issue his warrants for it.
The heavy debt of the state was the occasion of much complaint among the people; and the General Court was charged with inattention and want of economy. But the expenses were great beyond all former times; and it is rather wonder- ful, that the credit of the state was not wholly lost, when it is recollected what public services were performed, and what numbers of men were employed in the army at different times. Most public purchases were made under disadvantages, and it was well known by those who served the state, or furnished articles at the request of its agents, that the day of payment was far distant. Perhaps, in no country, under such pressing cir-
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cumstances, were there ever fewer defaulters, or less loss to the public interests. The expenses of the British government for supporting troops in America for five years, then past were 37 1-2 millions sterling.
Large sums were put into the hands of the board of war, who had the care of furnishing mi- litary stores for various places, and of supplying the officers and soldiers with necessary clothing. Those who continued in the army were provided with clothes out of the treasury of the state, in addition to their regular wages, or by way of boun- ty : and such as enlisted for the first time, to fill up the regiments of the state, on the continental establishment, received large bounties, as well as many articles for the comfort of their families. Most of the clothing for the army was furnished from the cargoes of prizes taken from the enemy. But these were not at all times sufficient : and dur- ing this year, (1780) an agent was employed by Massachusetts to procure goods in Europe, on the credit of the state ; or by loans taken up on its behalf.
Though the public mind was chiefly engaged in political concerns, the interests of science were not wholly neglected. The academy of arts and sciences was this year formed, consisting of about fifty members, who were distinguished for their literary researches and attainments. James Bow- doin was its first president ; a gentleman celebrat- ed as well for his patriotism and virtue as for his philosophic pursuits .*
* An academy was also established at Andover in 1780, for the instruction of youth in the higher branches of litera-
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A singular phenomena occurred on the 19th day of May, this year, which was the occasion of great alarm to the common people, and of much speculation among the learned. The morning was cloudy, and in some places a little rain fell. By the middle of the day there was an unusual dark- ness; which increased till two or three o'clock, so that it was as necessary to have artificial lights, as at one hour after the setting of the sun. The birds and beasts repaired to their places of nightly rest. The darkness did not extend be- yond Connecticut, nor very far at sea. It was at- tributed to a thick smoke, (united with the heavy clouds,) which had been accumulating for several days, occasioned by extensive fires which then raged in the northern parts of New Hamp- shire, where the people were making new settle- ments.
The inhabitants in the eastern parts of Maine were exposed to depredations from the enemy at Penobscot, and from their armed ships which were hovering on the coast. Besides the two companies at Machias, one of infantry and one of artillery, for the protection of that place and vicinity, it was ordered that 750 men should be stationed on the western shores of Penobscot bay to check the incursions of the enemy from that place. These were raised chiefly in that part of the state ; and were put under command of gene- ral Wadsworth, who had been second in command in the expedition to Penobscot, the preceding year. The state of New Hampshire was also re-
ture than were attended to in common schools. It has prov- ed a nursery of useful learning.
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quested to furnish a number of men for that sta- tion; and a French frigate, in company with a sloop of war belonging to Massachusetts, cruised sometime on that coast, for the security of the inhabitants.
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CHAPTER IX.
State of the country . .. More militia ordered. .. Treachery of Arnold ... General Court under new constitution ... Governor's speech ... Bur- dens and complaints of people ... Loans ... Militia at northward ... Recruits for army ... Large bounties ... Committee to revise laws ... Further discontents ... Great taxes ... New calls of Congress , .. Ex- cise acts ... And impost proposed ... Militia marched to Rhode Island, and to New York ... Capture of Cornwallis ... renewed military pre- parations .. . Complaints. .. Riot in Hampshire.
It was now five years since the war commenc- ed : and general Washington seemed to be desir- ous of more efficient and decisive operations against the enemy. The British forces indeed were for- midable ; and recruits were necessary to act mere- ly on the defensive, with the hope of affording protection to the country. The enemy had a great number of regular troops in the southern states, and were committing depredations without much check. General Gates, who commanded in that quarter after the capture of Lincoln in Charleston, was not fortunate in his efforts against the British. They were victorious in all places, till general Greene was sent into that de- partment : and though his numbers were com- paratively small, and insufficient wholly to arrest their progress, he was able, by great efforts and skill, to put some limits to their destructive march. The enemy at and near New York, under general
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Clinton, were also very numerous; and, at times, meditated an attack upon the American lines. His navy was of great advantage to his plans and movements in that quarter. But Washington was not satisfied with preparations to receive an attack from the British commander; though this, per- haps, required all his vigilance and all the force he could calculate upon with certainty. French troops were expected this season; and he was de- sirous, on their arrival, to strike a decisive blow ; and if possible, to induce the enemy to quit the country. The marquis de Lafayette had then re- cently arrived from France, where he had been for about a year on a visit to his family, and to prevail upon the king to take a more active part in favour of the United States. The intelligence by the marquis was, that another fleet and seve- ral thousand troops were destined for America, to act in concert with the army under general Wash- ington. He had represented to the French court, that the Americans would make a great effort the ensuing campaign; and, with the assistance of some troops from France, would probably be able to conquer the enemy within a short period. On his arrival, he made this statement to Washington, to Congress and to some leading men in Massachu- setts ;* and urged them to raise an additional num- ber of men to be able to act with effect, when the French troops should arrive. General Washing- ton had already made an urgent request upon the state for 4000 men for six months, to reinforce the continental army ; a great part of which were
* Particularly to Hon. S. Adams, then both a member of Congress and of the legislature of Massachusetts.
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needed to fill up the regular regiments belonging to the Massachusetts line. The General Court immediately issued orders to the several towns in the state to enlist or draft their respective portions of the number required ; and great exertions were made to induce the men to engage. Within a month after the former requisition, there was a call for 4,700 of the militia, for three months, to be marched to Head quarters, with all possible dispatch. The towns were also required to raise these men in a similar manner. By request of general Washington, a few weeks subsequently, one thousand horses were furnished the army from Massachusetts ; and two thousand head of cattle for beef.
In consequence of the difficulty of raising men for the continental army, when required, and of the complaints of the people against the General Court, as if it might have prevented in some mea- sure the great embarrassments which existed, it was proposed by Massachusetts to some of the other states, to invest Congress with greater power, so that it might provide all necessary sup- plies for the army, without calling upon the states in their separate capacity. Several of the states favoured the plan; but it was never matur- ed. The difficulty which was complained of, did not arise from the want of authority in each indivi- dual State, but from the circumstances of the times, which under any government would have imposed a heavy burden upon the people. About the same time there was a second meeting, at Hartford in Connecticut, of committees from the New England states, to consult on some uniform mode of raising troops for the next year,
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In September of this year (1780,) general Ar- nold, who commanded the continental post at West Point, on Hudson's river, a very strong for- tress, and the key to that part of the country, treacherously concerted with the enemy to deliver that place into their hands. Had he not been discovered and defeated in this most iniquitous plan, the British, in possession of that fortress and with a large fleet in the river, would have cut off all communication between the New England states and the more southern parts of the conti- nent. And such an event might have been most disastrous. General Washington was at Hartford, at this time, where he had gone to meet the com- mander of French troops then lately arrived at Newport. The plot was seasonably discovered, but the traitor escaped. Arnold had many troops from Massachusetts and the other eastern states under his command : but not one of his officers or men was implicated in the nefarious design. This man had been a brave and active officer in the American army for five years : and at one period enjoyed the confidence of the commander in chief, and of his companions in the army. Some time before this affair, however, he had discovered a most avaricious spirit ; and was charged with very dishonourable and iniquitous conduct, in appro- priating the public monies to his own private use.
On the last Wednesday of October, (1780) the civil government of Massachusetts was organized, under the constitution then recently adopted by the people of the state. John Hancock was elect- ed governor ; but no person was chosen lieutenant governor by the votes of the people. The Gene- ral Court elected James Bowdoin to that office ;
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but he declined it. James Warren was then chosen, and he also declined the trust. Afterwards, Tho- mas Cushing was chosen, who accepted the ap- pointment. Jeremiah Powell was elected Presi- dent of the Senate; and Caleb Davis, speaker of the House of Representatives. The House con- sisted of two hundred members. In his public speech, a few days after his election was declared, the governor recommended to the legislature to provide for completing the state's quota of men for the continental army, and for the payment of wages to the officers and soldiers. He urged them to cause the men to enlist for the time the war should continue, as it was the particular desire of general Washington, that they should so engage. He also entreated them to make every effort to main- tain the credit of the state ; to see that the taxes assessed were collected with greater punctuality ; to cherish the interests of education ; to consider the sufferings of the clergy; and to patronize sabbati- cal institutions, which in the time of war were apt to be disregarded.
At this period, there were loud complaints among all classes of people, as well those who remained at their homes as those who were in the army. The former were subject to almost constant calls to enlist men for the military service, and to pay their portion of the heavy and repeated taxes, which were assessed. Of this class too, many were creditors to the state; but were unable to obtain payment; the others had suffered exceed- ingly by the depreciation of money, in which they received their wages; and the state was greatly in debt to them, which it could not discharge for many years. Many also of those who had loaned
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money, or furnished goods to the public, had been subjected to loss by receiving depreciated paper. The officers and soldiers were importunate for their wages ; the public creditors were anxious for their dues; those who had articles to supply the wants of the state were unwilling to dispose of them ; and all who had taxes to pay complain- ed of their inability to contribute so largely as re- quired.
But the patriotic efforts of the legislature were in some measure proportionate to the difficulties they had to encounter; and with all the com- plaints and wants of the people, they generally had confidence in the integrity and ability of their rulers. A great part of the depreciated paper had been taken out of circulation, and new bills substituted, which for some time retained nearly their nominal value. Much specie was also cir- culated ; for large quantities had been brought into the country by the French, and by the prizes taken in the West Indies by the American armed vessels.
The legislature determined to raise by direct taxes all that was practicable, to force the sales of Refugees' estates, and to collect such sums as public spirited individuals would loan to the com- monwealth .* The state had already borrowed large sums, which it had not been able to pay, as promised ; and it had also, within six months, at- tempted to raise more by loans, but without much success. But necessity urged them once more to
* At this time, the General Court ordered the sale of the manufacturing house in Boston and the valuable lot of land adjoining to it.
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make the effort. Committees were chosen by the General Court, of the most patriotic and respecta- ble citizens,* in each county, and in the large and populous towns, to solicit loans. The sum of 400,- 000l. was voted to be raised; but there is no evi- dence that the whole was obtained ; though con- siderable sums were collected by the committees appointed for that purpose.
In an address to the people, at this time, with particular reference to the great amount of taxes, of which many complained, the General Court said-" We conjure you by all the ties of honour and patriotism, to give up every consideration of private advantage; and that, without delay, you assist in supplying the treasury, as it is impossible to support an army, if the people withhold their taxes. Let it be evident, on the contrary, that the people of Massachusetts are animated with the same principles which inspired them in the early stages of the contest, and that the salvation of the country absorbs every other object. Thus shall we dash the last hope of the enemy, founded as it is upon the inattention and avarice of any part of the community."
The Canadians and Indians gave an alarm to the inhabitants of the northern parts of the State of New York, in the Autumn of 1780, and in- vaded some of the frontier settlements. As there was no large regular force in that quarter, they had been emboldened to attack several towns, and threatened to commit more extensive depredations.
In Boston, W. Phillips, E. Payne, S. Higginson, J. Rowe : In Beverly G. Cabot : In Salem E. H. Derby and J. Ashton : In Marblehead, E. Gerry, J. Glover : In Newburyport, J. Jackson and N. Tracy.
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The militia of Berkshire were ordered out, in considerable numbers, under general Fellows, and marched to north river and the lakes, to prevent the further incursions of the enemy. .
A large number of the soldiers in the con- tinental army, belonging to Massachusetts, had now completed their time of enlistment, and were resolved to return to their homes. It was neces- sary to engage them for a longer period, or to enlist others in their ro room. As an inducement to them to re-enlist, a bounty of sixty dollars in specie was offered to each man. £60,000 were appropriated for this object, and a great part sent on to the army, by agents employed to engage the soldiers to remain in the service. To those who had wages for a long time due, both officers and soldiers, and were still belonging to the army, several months' pay was also forwarded in specie, or the new emission of paper. The payment of wages was then chiefly in specie, so far as it was made at all. The officers had still large demands upon the State or Continent for compensation.
In the course of this year, (1780) a new ar- rangement of the army took place. The regi- ments were reduced to 29 of infantry, 4 of artillery, and 4 of cavalry. Massachusetts was required to have only ten regiments of infantry, and one of artillery ; which, however, was nearly one third of the whole establishment. The oldest officers had the choice of retiring from immediate service, on half pay ; liable to be called out at any future time, and entitled to all bounties of land, and other gratuities, promised to those who served during the war.
The number of men required of Massachusetts, VOL. II. 26
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to complete its proportion of the continental army, calculating that all the soldiers would retire whose term of service was about to expire, was 4200. Under the circumstances of the times, it was very difficult to engage such a number. Some, however, were induced to enlist again; for the terms offered by the General Court were more favourable than had been proposed at any former period. Several towns in the Commonwealth were still delinquent, though they had been often required to furnish a certain number of soldiers. These were now enjoined immediately to enlist the number which had been allotted them; and authorized to give a bounty of fifty dollars, which should be allowed on the settlement of their taxes. All who would enlist were to be excused from a tax on their polls and personal estate. General Washington was urgent in his request, that this number of men should be furnished early in the ensuing year, (1781); and he was equally desirous they should be engaged for the time the war should continue ; for he had suffered for want of regular troops, who were accustomed to military discipline ; and the militia, besides, were not always furnished at the time required.
The General Court was adjourned, in the month of December, after an active and useful session, to meet again in January ; having appointed a com- mittee* "to revise the laws in use in the Common- wealth, to select, abridge, alter, and digest them,
* This committee consisted of the Judges of the Superior Court, the Attorney General, James Bowdoin, and John Pick- ering. This committee was also requested to prepare bills for the due observation of the Sabbath, and for the prevention of drunkenness and profanity.
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so as they should be accommodated to the present government."
In the winter of 1781, a spirit of discontent and complaint prevailed, as much as in the preceding year ; particularly in the western counties of the Commonwealth. This was owing, principally, to the heavy taxes, and to objections to the new form of government.' There was some evidence that persons inimical to American independence were the authors of this uneasiness; for there were then a few secret enemies of liberty remain- ing in the country, whose object it was to render the people dissatisfied with their government. It is always easy for artful men to poison the minds of the common people, and to misrepresent the conduct and designs of rulers. A committee of the General Court was appointed to institute en- quiries ; and if there should be evidence of insi- dious attempts to interrupt the regular course of government, to take the authors of them into cus- tody, for trial.
To quiet the minds of their constituents, the General Court published an address, in which they stated the debt of the Commonwealth, the amount of taxes necessary to be assessed, and the means for paying the expences of the State. They re- minded the people that the arduous contest in which the country was engaged, necessarily de- manded great efforts and sacrifices ; and intreated them to consider, that the blessings of freedom were too valuable and precious to be hazarded by any want of pecuniary contributions. They declared, also, that all possible economy should be practised, which was consistent with a due regard to the public welfare. The sums ne-
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cessary during the year, they stated, would be 950,000l. Some of the items were these : for the civil list, 30,000l. ; interest on public notes, and on wages due officers, 213,000l. ; for Congress, 86,000l. ; instalment of public debt to be paid, 500,000l .; clothing for the army, two years, 50,000l .; with others of a less amount. This was to be dis- charged by the tax to be collected, of 320,000l. ; by loans of 400,000l. ; by a specie tax then due, and assessed some time previously, of 72,000l .; from sales of absentees' estates, 40,000/. ; &c. By the measures adopted, and exertions made this year, the debt was lessened, without increasing the taxes beyond the amount required the preceding year. Loans, however, were resorted to ; and considera- ble sums were raised in this manner, by the solici- tations of the agents of the State, and the friends of government. It was found, that it would be utterly impracticable to raise sufficient by direct taxes, to meet all the extraordinary demands of the State, and of Congress, to pay old debts, and defray the necessary expences which would arise in the year. And it was considered just, that those who would enjoy the great benefits expected from the revo- lutionary war, should be liable to pay a part of the price at which they were purchased.
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