USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, Volume I > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
245
TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION
Sovereign States, and an independent Nation, as well as the Bless- ing of Peace upon a permanent Basis, will in a great Measure depend.
"Among other important Concerns which may engage Your attention, we beg Leave to recommend the following, as what ap- pears to Us to demand the most critical Notice & serious Considera- tion - The Case of those Persons who in the late Contest with Britain have left their Country and join'd the Enemy - By an Article in the Provisional Treaty of Preliminaries for a Peace be- tween the United States and Britain, it is expressly agreed and stipulated 'That Congress shall earnestly recommend to the Legis- latures of the respective States,' that Persons of the above described Charactors ' shall have free Liberty to go to any Part or Parts of the Thirteen United States, and there remain twelve Months unmo- lested in their Endeavors to obtain the Restoration of their Estates, Rights, &c.' - Reference being had to the Article itself, being the Fifth Article of said Treaty.
"While we sincerely wish that the Faith of the Nation, solemnly plighted by the Plenipotentiaries of the United States, might be realized and regared with the most sacred Attention, we also wish that the Freedom, Independence & Sovereignty of these States respectively considered might not be forgotten.
"The Words of the Treaty evidently suppose, that when Con- gress, in Compliance with its Stipulations in Favor of Persons of the above described Characters have 'earnestly recommended the Matter to the Legislatures of the several States,' the Right of de- cision remains entirely & absolutely with them. The States sev- erally, are submitted to as the alone Judges; - and upon their Determination their Fate must rest -from them there is no appeal.
"Not to mention the hard Names, and opprobrious Characters of Conspirators, Traitors or Rebels, nor to lay any stress upon the Questions who among them are most, or least, deserving: There is one thing in which they are all alike and without Exception in the same Predicament; - and this suggests a Rule and points out a Line of Conduct for these States, which appears to Us Obvious, rational, just and necessary; and a Rule equally applicable to all Persons of the above Characters. They have left the Society - they have left the Country under which they held - by which they were protected in- and to which, they owed Liberty, Property & Life -and they have joined the Enemy; and put themselves, not only into their Power, but also under their Protection. - By this one Act, without any coloring or aggravations, it appears to Us, they have forfeited all Claim to Privilege, Property or Protection, in the Society, State, or States, they have so left. The Estate or Property which they have heretofore held, under the Protection of the So- ciety or State, to which they belonged, of Course reverts to such
246
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
Society, State or States and Reason Common Sense, the Laws of Nature and Nations concur to pronounce them, one and ALL, ALIENS from the COMMONWEALTH.
"This, alone, we humbly conceive, is an Argument both clear and conclusive against their return to Us, and the Restoration of their Estates: and at the same Time points out a Line of Conduct both just & necessary : and is no more than putting a Sanction upon their own Choice.
"Many other Arguments might be fairly urged against the return of Persons of this Character and their admission as Citizens of the States they have left - as that they have, by leaving and joining the Enemy, weakened our Cause and strengthened the Enemy, and have sought and done what was in their Power to Subjugate us to the British Yoke - That it is both unnatural and unjust that such Persons should share in Privileges which they have to their utmost endeavored to destroy - That if they should be restored, & their Estates returned to them, they will be very dangerous to the Peace of Society and the Liberties of this Country &c &c - And we may add That as to the Idea of admitting some, & rejecting others, it is easy to see that the Wisdom of Angels would be puzzled to draw the Line, to determine when and where to stop.
"Upon the Whole we cannot but think it indispensibly necessary, for the Peace & safety of this and the Freedom and Happiness of the United States, that a decided part is taken to prevent their Return, and the Recovary of the Estates or Property that was formerly theirs.
"We would further recommend to You to Use Your Endeavors to promote a more thorough Inquiry into the State of the public Debts both State and Continental; that the public Accounts may be adjusted & properly Arranged - To restore and establish the Credit of State Notes and Securities, and Fund for the Punctual payment of the Interest of them:
"We also wish that every proper Measure may be taken to pro- mote Economy in all Grants &c - and in all disposals of public Monies - and, at the same Time that Merit is duly noticed and rewarded, and the Public Faith is preserved, where solemnly plighted, the most and the most watchful Care be taken that all unnecessary Expenditures in Pensions, or otherways, may be prevented.
"We would suggest to you the Importance in a free Government of the Encouragement of Literature in all Branches of Science and Useful Knowledge and particularly of the University at Cambridge and public Schools and Seminaries of Learning- and as the General Court is the Great Inquest of the Commonwealth, to promote an Inquiry into the Causes of the too general Neglect and Contempt of the Law for Grammar Schools in the several Towns.
247
TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION
"In all your proceedings, we trust we need not Urge that a Sacred Regard to the Rights of the Community our excellent Constitu- tion, and the Articles of the Confederation of the United States of America, is at all Times both becoming a Necessary.
"In all other Matters which may call for Your Attention in the Course of the Year, we chearfully confide in your Wisdom and Pru- dence Firmness & Integrity : and most Sincerly wish that your Atten- tion & Endeavors for the Interest of your Constituents; the Good of this Commonwealth and the Peace & Prosperity of the United States in General may be attended with the happiest Success."
We have seen the efforts made by the people of Lexington to carry on the war, but we have found them true to the cause in which they were engaged. Particularly have we seen them inculcating the soundest principles of constitutional liberty. The experience of the world has shown that it is easier to throw off the yoke of foreign oppression than it is to establish a system of civil government adapted to the wants of a free people. But in this Commonwealth, the people in the very midst of a revolution framed a constitution of government remarkable for its wisdom; and we have the pleasure of seeing that the people of Lexington were alive to the subject, and active in establishing a government which has proved a blessing to the community.
Nor were the people of Lexington behind the rest of the community in their efforts to establish a government of laws. Reared up under the wise counsel of a prudent statesman, they were never disturbed by Tories, nor by those wild vision- aries who think that liberty consists in throwing off all re- straint. The people, as a body, were peaceable and law- abiding, and equally ready to resist tyrants or to sustain rulers duly elected in conformity to the laws of the land. They were devotees of liberty, but it was liberty regulated by law. They were warm advocates for a well-regulated free- dom, exempt from tyranny on the one hand and licentious- ness on the other.
CHAPTER X
FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830
Population in 1783- Embarrassment of the People - Shays's Rebellion - Instruction to Representatives- A New Meeting-House erected - Jay's Treaty - Death of Mr. Clarke - Settlement of Mr. Williams - Resolutions on National Affairs - Green's Oration - Mr. Williams dismissed - The Great Bridge rebuilt - The Fourth of July celebrated - Reception of Lafayette - Phinney's Address - His History of Lexington Battle - Adams's Letter in Defence of Acton - Stetson's Oration.
THOUGH the war of the Revolution had been a period of trial and anxiety to the people of the Commonwealth, the period which followed the war was in many respects quite as trying. The heavy debt of the nation, state, and towns, in- curred during the seven years' war, and the embarrassments of individuals arising from the same cause and from the de- preciation of paper money, produced a depression of business and a state of monetary affairs bordering upon bankruptcy. From this general embarrassment Lexington was not exempt.
Up to this time the people had been subjects of Great Britain or involved in a contest with that country; but thenceforward they were freemen. But there were causes which operated against the increase of population. A con- siderable number who had served in the army, from the town, did not return to Lexington to become permanent citi- zens; and others who had resided in town during the war, left the place, owing to the depressed state of business and pecun- iary embarrassments, to seek their fortunes elsewhere. These causes served to keep the population nearly stationary for a considerable period.
The Town Records for some years present nothing of special interest. The burden of the Town Meetings was to obtain means to discharge the debts contracted during the war. The year 1786 was memorable for what has generally been denominated "Shays's Rebellion." The pecuniary em- barrassment of which we have spoken, and the heavy taxes which were necessarily imposed, gave color to the plea that unnecessary burdens were imposed upon the people. On the
FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830 249
22d of August, a convention of delegates from fifty towns in the county of Hampshire met at Hatfield, and adopted meas- ures looking to resistance against the laws. A large number of men assembled at Northampton, took possession of the Court-House, and prevented the sitting of the court. The Governor issued a proclamation, calling upon all officers and citizens to suppress such treasonable proceedings, but to little or no purpose. At Worcester and Concord the courts were interrupted. The Legislature passed several acts relieving the people as far as was practicable. But the insurgents, headed by DANIEL SHAYS, who had been a captain in the Continental Army, to the number of about three hundred, marched to Springfield in December, and took possession of the Court- House, and so prevented the sitting of the court at that place. To meet this emergency, four thousand troops were ordered out for thirty days, unless sooner discharged. Of this force, eight hundred were from the county of Middlesex. They were put under the command of General Lincoln. Though the in- surgents appeared in martial array at Worcester, Springfield, and several other places, there was never any direct collision between them and the troops, though a few shots were fired, and three or four of the insurgents were killed. Shays was driven from Springfield, and his force was soon dispersed at Petersham, where one hundred and fifty were taken prison- ers. This terminated the rebellion.1 The precipitate flight of Shays on the appearance of General Lincoln's troops at Petersham gave rise to much ridicule and many sallies of wit. In one of the doggerel ballads of the day, his flight is thus characterized: -
"When he came to the river of Styx, Where Charon kept the Ferry; He called for a speedy passage o'er, For he durst no longer tarry."
Though the scene of this rebellion was not laid in Lexing- ton, the inhabitants of this town did not refrain altogether from a participation in the affair. In response to an Address from the town of Boston, touching the subject of this insur- rection, the people of Lexington, in town meeting assembled, October 16, 1786, expressed their condemnation of all such
1 Daniel Shays was born in Hopkinton, 1747. After his rebellion was crushed, he fled to Vermont, and afterwards moved to Sparta, New York, where he died Sep- tember 29, 1825, aged eighty-four. He was a pensioner of the United States.
250
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
lawless proceedings and promised their cooperation in all suitable measures to put down the rebellion, and sustain the honor and authority of the Government.
Captain William Munroe, with a body of men, marched towards the scene of action; but the flight of Shays rendered any further movement unnecessary, and he returned.
On the 10th of March, 1787, the General Court appointed a commission, empowered, on certain conditions, to receive the submission of the insurgents. About eight hundred came in and submitted themselves, and were not further proceeded against. Fourteen were tried and convicted. They were sev- erally sentenced to death, and some were even brought to the place of execution; but they were all ultimately pardoned.
While the State was thus embarrassed by its debts, and the people were borne down with pecuniary burdens, the citizens of Lexington freely expressed their sentiments in instructions to their Representative, which show the points of discussion before the public.
At a meeting held March 28, 1787, their Representative was instructed, "to adhere strictly to the Constitution, to op- pose the emission of any paper money, to restore public credit, to oppose the removal of the seat of government from Boston, to urge the imposition of impost duties on foreign articles, and to urge that heavy penalties be imposed upon those who exact excessive interest on money loaned." 1
1 Following are the instructions in full (Ed.): -
"In the first place We enjoin upon you a strict adherence to our most excellent Constitution; and you are to make that the Rule of your conduct.
"You are not to consent on any account to have an Emmission of Paper Money ; but to oppose such a Measure (if moved for) to the utmost of your Power, -
"You are to use your endeavors to restore Public Credit in this Commonwealth; which for some time past hath been very low; and when Public Credit is gone there is no more confidence to be put in Rulers. -
"You are to Use Your endeavors to have the Old Taxes, that are behind paid. - in particular those that were to be paid in the New England Money, and in the Army Notes .-
"As it is expected there will be a push in Court, to remove the Court out of the Town of Bos- ton, - which you are to Use your utmost endeavor to prevent; - as We think it will not be so convenient in any other Place, as in the Town of Boston; - as it will Open a Door for the East-, ern Counties to be a separate State.
"You are to see that Congress have sufficient Power (if they have not) to regulate the Publio Affairs that are Necessary for the Public Good .----
"As to a Tender Act, We submit it to the decision of the General Court; that if it is thought best to continue it, to do it for a limited time only.
"You are to Use Your utmost endeavor to have the Authority of Government kept up; and that all offenders be punished according to their deserts -
"You are to endeavor to have such Impost and Excise Duties laid on all Foreign Manufactures as may be consistent with Trade; which will be an easement to a Land Tax. -
"You are instructed to move in the General Court, respecting the Court of Common Pleas; that there be such regulations & amendments made, as shall be satisfactory to the People. - To that End draw Outlines of your Amendments as you shall judge reasonable and send them to the People for their Acceptance in order that a General Accomodation may take place among all Ranks & Denominations of People. -
FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830 251
December 10, 1787, Benjamin Brown, Esq., was chosen a delegate to the State Convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States.
November 5, 1789, President Washington, in the course of a tour of New England, visited Lexington and dined at the Munroe Tavern.1
At a meeting held April 4, 1791, Rev. Jonas Clarke, Benja- min Brown, Esq., and Captain Joseph Simonds were elected a committee to present a memorial to Congress asking them to erect a monument over the remains of those persons who were slain on the 19th of April, 1775.
In 1792, great excitement prevailed in town in consequence of the prevalence of that dangerous and loathsome disease, the small-pox.
In 1793, the subject of building a new meeting-house began to be agitated. At a meeting held March 11, 1793, it was "voted unanimously to Build a New Meeting-House, and to Sett it in the Most Convenient Place, Near this Meeting- House."
His Excellency Governor Hancock, learning that the peo- ple of Lexington, for whom he always manifested a strong attachment, were about to build a new meeting-house, gener- ously placed a hundred dollars at their disposal to aid them in the enterprise; for which he received "the thanks of said in- habitants, for this fresh instance of his friendship and affec- tion to the town, in which the memory of his pious ancestors is still held in veneration, and the name of HANCOCK will ever be precious."
May 23, 1793, the town voted to build a new meeting- house, and to have two porches and a tower to the proposed house. Thus far the town proceeded with great unanimity. They all wanted a new meeting-house. They all desired it to be located on the Common. But when they came to minor points, as is usual on such subjects, a difference of opinion arose. Town meeting after town meeting was held, to decide whether the house should be set a few feet more or less from the old meeting-house; whether it should "Face Due South," or "Down the Great Road"; whether there should be one
"That the Act relative to Interest on Money be more strict - viz - That a Person convicted of a Breach of said Law be forever deprived of any advantage of an Execution for any Debt. - "You are to Use Your influence that the Massachusetts Bank in the Town of Boston be Annihilated -"
1 For an account of this visit, see Proc. Lex. Hist. Soc., Vol. I, p. xxviii. Ed.
252
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
porch or two; or whether it should be painted "pea-green " or some other color.
But these questions were finally adjusted by voting to set the house "twenty feet back of the sills of the old house," and . that it should "face half-way between south and south-east."
But it does not appear that these differences obstructed the march of improvement; for in anticipation of a new house, they positively directed their committee to provide those indispensable appendages of a meeting-house, horse-blocks. Smile not at the rustic manners of our fathers; for you must know that in those days the ladies rode to meeting on horse- back behind their husbands or brothers, and were much more punctual in attendance than people are at the present day, with handsome carriages to ride in. In those days a pillion was a necessary part of a young lady's outfit, and many a belle has been seen riding to a ball behind her intended, upon a pillion of her own furnishing. And at church, how could a lady mount her horse, behind her gentleman, unless she had a horse-block to ascend? These horse-blocks may be considered almost in the light of an institution; and a sounding-board over the pulpit and a horse-block near the house were almost as important as the house itself.
The house being finished was dedicated on the 15th of January, 1795. About the same time the pews were sold at auction. The size of the house appears not to be a matter of record.1 The number of pews below was fifty-four, and the number in the gallery was twenty-four. The aggregate sale amounted to $5887. Besides these pews, there were seats in the body of the house; and a seat reserved for the negroes.
This meeting-house was situated on the southeasterly end of the Common, near the present liberty-pole.
When the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation between the United States and Great Britain, commonly called "Jay's Treaty," was made known to the American people, it met with decided opposition. On the 13th of August, 1795, the inhabitants of Lexington met in town meeting for the purpose of considering it. When the treaty was read, it was referred to a committee, of which Rev. Jonas Clarke was chairman. This drew from Mr. Clarke an able paper,2 in
1 See Proc. Lex. Hist. Soc., Vol. I, p. 130; also Vol. III, p. 82. Ed.
? This paper occupies about ten pages of the Records of the Town. Ed.
253
FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE YEAR 1830
which he condemns the treaty and shows the impolicy of many of its provisions. As the subject has long since passed by, and as our space is limited, we reluctantly exclude it from our pages. We will, however, say that it fully sustains the character of its author for ability and watchful devotion to what he believed to be the true interest of his country, and his paper was unanimously adopted by the town. Nor was Lex- ington alone in opposing that treaty. It drew from many of our soundest men severe condemnation. It was assailed by argument and by wit -- in prose and in verse. One scribbler vents his spleen thus: -
" Greenville and Pitt, with Jonney Jay, Have fairly bargained us away."
In the misunderstanding between France and the United States in 1797 and 1798, Congress had under consideration the subject of arming merchant vessels, that they might de- fend themselves against French depredations. The inhabit- ants of Lexington, in town meeting assembled, adopted a memorial to Congress, expressing their apprehension that such a measure would be fraught with danger; that it would be committing the peace of the nation into the hands of any and every master or commander of a vessel, so armed and com- missioned; who, through ignorance, prejudice, resentment, or design, might commit acts of hostility and so involve the nation in war, in contravention of the Constitution, which makes Congress the sole judge of the propriety of declaring war, after a full consideration of the subject.
This memorial is the last paper, found upon the town records, prepared by their faithful pastor and enlightened statesman, Mr. Clarke. Few towns are able to furnish from their records papers so numerous, elaborate, and able as Lex- ington; and if she has whereof to boast, nothing, save the heroic part she acted on the 19th of April, 1775, can stand in preference to the able state papers which emanated from her village clergyman.
The nineteenth century opens upon Lexington with a popu- lation of 1006, being sixty-five more than in 1790. Nothing of importance occurred in the town for some years. Having re- covered in a good degree from the pecuniary embarrassments growing out of the Revolution, the people became more lib- eral in their appropriations for schools, highways, and other
,
254
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
objects which mark the progress of civilization. In 1805, the town experienced a severe loss in the death of their devoted and distinguished pastor, Rev. Jonas Clarke. They mani- fested their regret and respect for his memory by bearing the expense of his funeral, and caring for his family after his decease. Mr. Clarke died, November 15, 1805, being in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and in the fifty-first year of his ministry.1
In October, 1807, the church, acting separately from the town, as was then the custom in all the Congregational churches, voted to call Mr. Avery Williams, and submitted their action to the town, which voted unanimously to concur with the church. The town voted to offer him a salary of seven hundred dollars, and one thousand dollars as a settle- ment, - he relinquishing all claim upon the ministerial lands and fund. Mr. Williams accepted the call, and was ordained, December 30, 1807. The town made ample provision for the occasion, as appears by the fact that they paid Amos Muzzy, Jr., $139.78 for entertaining the Council.
The health of Rev. Mr. Williams declining, and a journey South failing to restore him, the town, after supplying the pulpit for several months at their own expense, in September, 1815, came into an agreement with Mr. Williams, by which his connection with the parish should terminate - they pay- ing him six hundred dollars. .
On the Fourth of July, 1809, the people of Lexington cel- ebrated the Thirty-third Anniversary of our Independence. Benjamin Greene, Esq., delivered an oration, in which he made the following allusion to the town of Lexington and her martyred citizens: -
"If there ever was a time when it might be more than ordinarily the duty of posterity to recount the wonderful achievements, and to call to mind the insurmountable fortitude and perseverance of their ancestors; and if there ever was a place peculiarly appropriate to this important purpose, surely this is the time, this is the place. For here the thunders of British oppression, which had been ac- cumulating for years, like the fulminating bolt from the dark and condensed tempest, burst its barriers, disgorging its direful effects upon the innocent victims of its cruel and relentless rage; and here the soil of freedom was first moistened with the blood of her sons.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.