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 19
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tive was disposed, no doubt, to exercise all the le- nity towards individuals, which was consistent with the authority of government and the welfare of so- ciety; and they might have been satisfied, that, by detaching the leaders, the rest of the citizens, who had appeared in arms, would soon and peaceably re- tire to their respective homes. It is certain, how- ever, that in a government like ours, the execu- tive could not justly give an absolute assurance of pardon : and it is also to be considered, that if the leaders of the insurrection were sincerely resolved to refrain from all further opposition, it was their duty quietly to disperse, and to trust to the mercy of government, of whose clemency they had the strongest proofs.
But many of the insurgents, it is probable, from their conduct, still had hope of prevailing on go- vernment, by threats and by force, to grant their demands ; and concluded likewise, that they had already proceeded too far to expect full indemnity for their crimes, and that their only prospect of personal safety was in the success of their opposi- tion. They continued to complain of the legisla- ture, to threaten the officers of government, and to oppose the regular administration of the laws. The court in Hampshire county when they met at Springfield two months before, had adjourned to the latter part of December. Shays and his party proceeded to that place, the day preceding that appointed for the sitting of the court; where others joined his standard, to the number of three hundred. The governor had provided no military support for the court, either hoping that the mal- contents would not again appear in arms, or waiting for such movements on their part, as fully to justi-
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fy more decisive and energetic measures. The court-house was illegally and forcibly occupied by the insurgents. They presented a paper to the judges, which purported to be a petition, but in which they clearly expressed their intention that the court should not transact any business. The judges were without protection, and concluded not to open the court.
The dispute which had long existed between the Commonwealth and the state of New York, with regard to the claim of Massachusetts to a part of the territory west of Hudson river, was this year brought to an amicable termination. The settle- ment, however, was not completed without long dis- cussion and much difficulty. New York, at first, denied entirely the right of Massachusetts to any lands west of that river ; and claimed the territory as far west as the United States extended, till it interfered with the British possessions : while Mas- sachusetts laid claim to all that tract of land, be- yond a certain distance west of the Hudson, and clearly within the early patent of New York, and lying between the southern and northern limits of the patent of Massachusetts bay ; which extended in a western direction to the extreme part of the United States, as settled by the treaty of 1783.
The subject was referred to Congress in 1784, by agents from the states of Massachusetts and New York, who were particularly authorised for the purpose. Congress appointed commissioners to hear the respective claims and to settle the contro- versy. They had several meetings, by the name of a " federal court;" but their deliberations re- sulted in no opinion satisfactory to the parties. The agents of the two states met at Hartford in
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Connecticut, December, 1786; and finally agreed, that Massachusetts should have the preemp- tive right to two large tracts of land, within the bounds it claimed, being in the whole about five millions of acres; two hundred and thirty thousand of which were situated near the centre of the state of New York, and the other, a larger tract, in the more western part of the state, bordering on lake Erie; the jurisdiction over the whole, however, to be in New York. And all the residue claimed by Massachusetts was ceded and relinquished to New York forever; excepting the most western part of the original claim of Massachusetts, west of the lake and within the southern and northern bounda- ries before mentioned, which had been previously granted and ceded to Congress, and formed a part of the northern and western territory of the Unit- ed States, bordering on the British possessions. These lands in New York were sold in 1787, and brought into the public treasury of the state one million of dollars. About this time, Congress sold a great part of the public land within the north- western territory which had been ceded by seve- ral states, which enabled them to pay off a large part of the continental debt.
The following year (1787) the dispute, which had long existed between Massachusetts and New York, respecting the boundary line between the two states, was also finally adjusted. This line had never been precisely fixed; and contests were frequently occuring between the citizens of these states, living on and near the supposed bounds. There had been various attempts to ascertain the line before the revolution. In 1773, commission- ers from both those provinces had agreed to the
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principles, on which the bounds should be settled, and it was actually run to the satisfaction of both governments. But the war took place before the agreement received the necessary sanction of the king; and on the return of peace, the subject was again agitated with great interest. Skilful mathe- maticians and the geographer of the United States, with the consent of Congress, were employed to as- certain and fix the line between the two states, which had become more difficult to settle, on ac- count of the new settlements made and interfering claims set up by individuals in each government. The controversy was finally adjusted conformably, in a great measure, to the agreement made, four- teen years before.
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CHAPTER XIII.
Measures adopted to quell the Insurrection ... General Lincoln commands the Militia ... Marches to Worcester ... Insurgents retire, but collect at Springfield, fired upon by General Shepard .. . Pursued by Lincoln ... Posted at Pelham ... General Court meet and approve of the conduct of the governor . . . Rebellion declared ... Shays marches to Petersham . .. Surprised and dispersed by general Lincoln .. . His conduct approved ... Insurgents in Berkshire subdued ... Commissioners appointed to grant pardons ... Several convicted of treason by Supreme Court.
WHEN the governor received intelligence of the conduct of the insurgents, in again obstructing the court in Hampshire by force, and that there was a meditated plan to interrupt it in the county of Wor- cester, where it was to be holden in a few weeks, he was satisfied of the necessity of calling upon the militia to suppress the rebellion, as it might now be justly called; and to apprehend the lead-" ers of this dangerous opposition, as the only means of safety to the Commonwealth. He consulted the council on this important subject, and they ad- vised to the course, which he suggested. The constitution, indeed, gave power to the governor to provide for the peace and welfare of the state against all hostile attacks and dangerous combina- tions ; and the General Court, at its late extra ses- sion, had expressed an opinion, that the militia should be called out, whenever the public exigen- cies might require such a measure. But it was
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both still the duty and the wish of the governor to have the opinion of the council in a situation so novel and responsible.
It was certainly most fortunate for the state, that the executive was then intelligent, firm and decided. Any wavering policy or weak timidity, from a regard to popularity, would have proved fatal to the peace of society and the existence of government. Further forbearance towards the insurgents would have jeopardized the welfare of the whole Commonwealth; and any proposition to negotiate with them would only have given them confidence and dishonoured the government. The governor was aware that the crisis demanded promptitude and decision, and he took his mea- sures accordingly. The majority of the council were also decidedly of opinion, that the strong arm of government must be raised in defence of law and order. Other public officers and intelli- gent citizens were of opinion, also, that the insur- rection should be quelled, before it extended any further, or became more formidable. It was not apprehended, indeed, that the majority of the peo- ple of Massachusetts would ever become advo- cates for such conduct as had been exhibited by a few infatuated men. But it was considered the imperious duty of the government to suppress a rebellion, which was at once injurious and dis- graceful to the state.
The executive would have failed in its duty to the people and to the state, had it neglected to adopt measures fully adequate to suppress this dangerous insurrection, with all possible prompti- tude. To have relied solely upon the sheriff of any county, where the insurgents were collected,
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with all the aid he could obtain, would have been unwise. For though in most counties of the state, there was a majority, and in all, a very large and respectable number, in favour of government, a portion of them were too timid to act openly against those who were collected under arms. Besides, while the authority of the sheriff was confined to his own particular county, the mal- contents were from several counties, and marched from place to place, as their safety or their plans dictated. The only alternative, therefore, was to call out the militia; and, early in January, (1787) orders were issued for raising 4400. Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex were to furnish 2000; Worcester and Hampshire 2400.
This requisition shews the confidence which the executive had in the good people, generally, in the two last named counties, notwithstanding the greater part of the insurgents belonged to those sections of the Commonwealth. Four companies of artillery were also detached from the counties of Suffolk and Middlesex. Thirty days was to be the term of their service ; and major general Lincoln was designated as the commander of this patriotic band, on whom was imposed the irksome duty of marching, in hostile array, against a por- tion of their fellow citizens. But the obligation was indispensable : and they cheerfully rallied, in defence of a free government and of constitutional liberty, at the call of the chief magistrate, whom they esteemed for his patriotism and wisdom, and under the immediate command of a military char- acter, in whom were united the mildest virtues, with great firmness and resolution.
For the support of this detachment of militia
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in defence of government, a loan of 20,000 dollars was effected, from a number of patriotic citizens ; as the public treasury was destitute of funds, to meet the charge of the expedition. The credi- tors of the state were so numerous, at this period, that they were frequently obliged to wait many months for their dues; even such as was promised and had not been reloaned; and generally, the treasurer was able to satisfy them only by issuing orders on the collectors of the taxes through the state, and thus anticipate the monies which had been assessed for the public service.
In the mean time, the governor, with his usual prudence and under the influence of a disposition, by which he was uniformly actuated, to omit no efforts for the information and welfare of the peo- ple, prepared and circulated an address to them ; in which he referred to the unjustifiable and dan- gerous proceedings of the insurgents, to his own late conduct and that of the General Court, by which every reasonable indulgence, and every pos- sible remedy, consistent with justice, order, and the support of the civil authority, had been ex- tended to them: and of the late measure of call- ing out the militia to protect the courts of law ; which, though reluctantly adopted, was rendered necessary by their violent and highly criminal pro- ceedings. "Such opposition to government and the laws," he said, "could not be longer endured ; and that their actions, whatever might be their real or pretended motives, tended directly to con- fusion and anarchy in the state.". He also appeal- ed to the good sense, virtue and patriotism of the people, on the absolute necessity of uniting with the officers of government, in opposing the insur- VOL. II.
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gents, and rallying round the standard of the con- stitution.
While the militia, who had been detached, were assembling at the places of rendezvous required, one of which was at Boston, and the other at Springfield, the insurgents became alarmed by the decisive conduct of government ; and they for- warded a petition to the Supreme Executive, re- questing the discharge of the prisoners in Boston, a general pardon to all who had hitherto opposed the government, and a suspension of the courts of Common Pleas, until after a new choice of rep- resentatives, who, they probably supposed, would be more ready to grant all their wishes. But the style of the application was not such as men in their condition might properly address to the lawful authority of the State. They had, also, on former occasions, violated their express engage- ments, made in a like situation of embarrassment and fear ; and more than all, they had continued in arms, and in opposition to the regular authority of the government, long after the period when a pardon had been graciously tendered them. The memorial was considered, by the Executive, as an improper address, highly reprehensible in itself, and requiring an indulgence or an assurance, which the governor and council were not authorized to grant, after the recent decision of the legislature. No promise could have been correctly made by the Executive, that the conditions required by the insurgents, on which their engagement to be obe- dient and peaceable depended, would be fulfilled by the General Court ; for they proposed in their memorial, that some of the judicial courts should be abolished : and besides all these objections to their
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application, it purported to be from citizens, some of whose names were not subscribed, and who were not present at the meeting when it was pre- pared.
In this situation, hopeless as it must have ap- peared, if they had impartially considered it, the insurgents determined to persevere in open defi- ance of all legitimate authority ; and called upon their fellow citizens to unite with them " in support of their rights," which, they said, the government had denied them. Perceiving such a criminal and dangerous spirit in these deluded people, the governor directed general Lincoln to march im- mediately to Worcester, and protect the court, which was to be holden on the 23d of January. Instructions were given him as to the great objects of the expedition ; but much was left to his own judgment and discretion, in its prosecution. The militia, who had collected in the vicinity of Bos- ton, marched on the 19th of January, and reached Worcester on the 22d ; and the insurgents in that county were too much intimidated to attempt any opposition to the sitting of the court, when such a powerful force was prepared to support it. They continued in arms, however, in different parts of the western counties, and concerted a junction of their forces at Springfield, expecting to be able to overpower the militia, called out by the Executive at that place.
Orders had been previously given to major ge- neral Shepard, in the county of Hampshire, to take post at the military arsenal in Springfield, with a thousand men, from an early apprehension, that the insurgents would endeavour to obtain pos- session of it. The previous occupation of this
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post by general Shepard, with the militia called out by the executive, did not entirely discourage the insurgents, though many of them were justly alarmed by it. But their numbers were greater than the government troops under general She- pard; and their leaders resolved to gain possession of this important post, if possible, before the ar- rival of general Lincoln, with the militia from the lower counties. The whole number of the insur- gents amounted to about 1800, though they were not then all collected in one body, a part of them being a few miles from Springfield, on the west side of Connecticut river. But the object of all was alike criminal, in intending to obstruct the courts, and even to attack the militia, who had as- sembled by the orders, and under the authority of government.
The situation of general Shepard, at this time, was very critical. General Lincoln was still at Worcester : the insurgents at and near Springfield were numerous and desperate; and they attempt- ed to persuade Lincoln that they wished to nego- tiate, with a view, probably, to delay his march to that place, that they might attack Shepard be- fore he was reinforced, and obtain possession of the public arsenal. General Lincoln was not de- ceived by this artifice ; but before he reached Springfield, whither he hastened for the relief and support of Shepard, of whose dangerous situation he had been informed, the latter was threatened with an attack by the insurgents under Shays, then encamped within a very short distance. When ge- neral. Shepard found that they were resolved to attack him, and were approaching the place where he was posted, he sent messengers to inform
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them, that he was acting under the authority both of the state and of Congress ;* and declared his resolution to defend the arsenal, of which he had reason to believe they intended to take possession. They were not deterred, by this declaration, from continuing to advance. His situation became ex- tremely alarming. But his prudence and firmness did not forsake him. He sent a second message, forbidding them to approach any nearer, and re- peating his purpose to defend himself and post, whatever might be the disastrous event. They still advanced towards him, and in an attitude, which convinced him of their plan to sieze the place by force. Thus threatened, and thus dangerously situated, general Shepard gave orders to fire two of his cannon; to be so aimed, however, as not to injure any of the deluded people. But this mea- sure did not produce the effect which he had hoped. They continued to advance ; when he believed the moment had arrived that required him to act with more decision and effect : for he felt himself responsible for the events of the day, and for the issue of this affair, which would pro- bably decide the fate of the Commonwealth. For, if the insurgents had gained possession of this mi- litary post, they would immediately have become formidable to the state. It was no time to hesi- tate ; and he accordingly ordered several guns to be fired directly into their ranks. Three of them were killed; and the whole party was thrown into,
* Congress had, a short time before, given directions to general Shepard to protect the arsenal at Springfield, which belonged to the United States.
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disorder, and fled, with great precipitation, to one of the adjoining towns.
The leaders of the insurgents were not discour- aged by this unfortunate affair. "Some of the par- ty, indeed, were induced, after this event, to de- sert the standard of rebellion : but Shays received a large reinforcement from Berkshire county ; and, thus strengthened, he meditated a second attack upon general Shepard, with the ultimate object of gaining possession of the military stores belonging to the public. But general Lincoln arrived from Worcester, on the 27th of the month, with four regiments of infantry, a battalion of artillery, and one company of cavalry, which gave great joy to the peaceable inhabitants, and afforded efficient support to Shepard, and the government party under his command.
It was concluded to pursue the insurgents with- out delay ; and general Lincoln, with most of the men who accompanied him from Worcester, pass- · ed the Connecticut river, on the ice, in the search of a party, which had been collecting at West Springfield for several days, and with whom, it was believed, Shays would endeavour to form a junction ; while general Shepard, with the militia belonging to the county of Hampshire, marched directly up the river in pursuit of Shays, who had gone in that direction, with the force under his immediate command. The former party of the insurgents retreated to Northampton, in great con- fusion ; and those on the eastern side of the river, under Shays, proceeded through South Hadley to Amherst.
The friends of government derived great con- fidence from the firmness of the executive; and
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from the promptitude, with which the militia had obeyed the orders of the governor, and the alac- rity with which they exposed themselves to ardu- ous service, for the welfare of the state. Several volunteer companies were in preparation to join general Lincoln, if their aid should be required ; and a number of distinguished citizens,* who were legally excused from military duty, offered their personal assistance, in performing such service as the public tranquillity, or the support of govern- ment might render necessary. When general Lin- coln was on his way from Worcester to Spring- field, and had intelligence of the greater number of insurgents collected and collecting in the vicini- ty of the latter place, and of their intended plan to take possession of the public arsenal there, he dispatched a messenger to major general Brooks, to march with a portion of the militia of Middle- sex. The order was promptly obeyed, and a large body of them proceeded as far as Worcester, when intelligence was received, that the public welfare would not require their further service, and they returned.
But the insurgents, although they were obliged to retire from Springfield, to elude the formidable force under generals Lincoln and Shepard, were not yet induced to disperse ; nor did they manifest any disposition to submit to the authority of the government. Their leaders could now justly ex- pect no special favour, having continued in active and open hostility to the lawful authority of the state : and it was their interest to retain as many
* Among these were generals Tupper and Putnam, and co- lonel Baldwin, late officers in the continental army.
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of the people in their party as possible, with the hope of final success in their objects, or the belief, that so long as the discontented were numerous, the treatment of individuals would be less severe. They were also deceived, in their calculations of support from different parts of the Commonwealth ; and they even pretended to expect aid from the people of the adjoining states.
Although the different parties of insurgents were prevented from uniting their forces, they con- tinued in such large numbers as to require the vigilance of the governmental troops. Shays re- tired through Amherst towards Pelham, with the great body of the malcontents, and was pursued by the militia under general Lincoln. But when the latter reached Amherst, he found it necessary to return to Hadley, to obtain provisions and shel- ter for his men ; who had become quite exhaust- ed, by a long and continued march, at that incle- ment season of the year .* Those on the west side of the river, also, remained in considerable numbers, threatening the friends of government, and evidently seeking an opportunity of joining the party under Shays, for a more decided and formidable opposition. They met with a small party of the troops, who belonged to general Shepard's command, and detained them as pri- soners. The company of volunteers from Brook- field, with a few others, were sent in pursuit of this body of insurgents, and for the rescue of their brethren, who were kept by them in duress. The insurgents, who were almost double the num-
* An unusual quantity of snow fell in December, and for the whole month of January, the cold was very severe.
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ber of the party of volunteers, were overtaken, at the distance of about twenty miles from North- ampton. Each party prepared for an attack. But by the great firmness and intrepidity of the volunteer corps,* many of the insurgents were in- duced to give up their arms; and the others es- caped.
General Lincoln remained a few days, at Had- ley, from a regard to the comfort of his troops, who had been much exposed, and suffered greatly during their late rapid march, as well as from a hope, that a little time for reflection, would induce the greater part of the insurgents to quit the cri- minal course they were pursuing. It appeared from his letters to the governor, that he had no doubt the most of them were deceived by a few art- ful men, who had grossly misinterpreted the mea- sures and views of government, and it was his desire and purpose, if possible, to suppress the insurrection, without further bloodshed. Knowing, also, their want of system, and of all sufficient means of be- coming really formidable to government, he felt no necessity of an immediate attack upon Shays and his party.
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