USA > Massachusetts > The history of Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 16
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
At the north, the campaign was feebly carried on by both parties. Beyond the skirmishes between outposts and foragers, no engagements of importance took place. Six thousand French troops under Rochambeau arrived on the 10th of July, together with a considerable fleet.
Washington had projected, with their assist- ance, an attack upon New York; but the British fleet being reinforced, outnumbered that of the French sufficiently to drive them into Newport -abandoned during the previous year by the
1
274
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. [1781.
English-where they forced them to remain in a state of blockade. About the same time, John Hancock was elected the first governor under the new constitution of Massachusetts, which had just received the sanction of the people.
Perhaps at no period of the war had the pros- pect of the ultimate success of the struggle for independence appeared so gloomy as at the opening of the campaign of 1781. Arnold's treason the previous year, though productive of no obvious advantage to the English, had struck a chill into the hearts of the Americans; and a defection in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops, which was with difficulty suppressed, evidenced a lamentable weakness highly encou- raging to the hopes of the enemy.
Early. in January, Cornwallis, previous to marching in pursuit of Greene, despatched Colo- nel Tarleton, a brave but rash and impetuous cavalry officer, against Morgan, who at this time was carrying on a partizan warfare in the western part of South Carolina. Tarleton being defeated at the Cowpens, with a loss of half his men, Cornwallis immediately started in pursuit of Morgan, who was soon after joined by Greene. A series of rapid movements now took place, which resulted in the battle of Guilford Court House. Though victory remained with Corn- wallis, he was obliged to fall back. Greene immediately came to the bold determination of
275
1781.]
CORNWALLIS AT YORKTOWN.
crossing into South Carolina and attacking Rawdon, who, with nine hundred men, was posted at Camden. By this movement he hoped to draw Cornwallis out of North Carolina. Dis- covering Greene's design too late to frustrate it, Cornwallis made a rapid northward march and joined Arnold and Phillips, who were ravaging Virginia. Meanwhile, Greene persevered in his design against Rawdon, and, though several times defeated, forced the latter to abandon his outposts and retire to Charleston ; so that South Carolina was once more in a great measure re- lieved of the presence of the enemy.
Lafayette, who had been sent into Virginia to oppose the advance of Cornwallis, finding his force entirely too weak to risk an engagement, was compelled to retreat toward the Rappahan- nock, where he formed a junction with Wayne, at the head of about a thousand of the Pennsyl- vania line. The British general made immediate pursuit ; but receiving orders from Clinton, who apprehended an attack upon New York, to take up a safe position and there await further direc- tions, he withdrew to the peninsulas of York and Gloucester. Here he concentrated his entire army, eight thousand strong, fortifying his posi- tion by a line of formidable redoubts. Wash- ington, who had for some time meditated an attack upon New York, now determined to strike a blow at Cornwallis. Secretly and with great
276
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. [1782.
rapidity, before Clinton was aware of his move- ment, he had joined Lafayette at Williamsburg with the combined French and American forces. De Grasse, with a large French fleet, having cut off Cornwallis's retreat by water, the allied armies commenced a vigorous siege. After sus- taining their assault with gallantry for nearly three weeks, the British were compelled on the 16th of October, greatly to their humiliation, to surrender as prisoners of war.
CHAPTER XX.
Prospects of peace-Memorial of the general court-Right of the fisheries-Exhausted condition of the confederated states-Disaffection in the American army-Peace pro- claimed-Difficulties in Massachusetts-Indebtedness of the State-Popular discontent-Bowdoin chosen governor-His address to the people-National convention called-State convention at Hatfield-Internal discord-Popular disturb- ances-Action of the legislature-Riots at Worcester -- Daniel Shays the popular leader-Proposes to march to Boston-Winter quarters of the rioters-Their conduct at Springfield-The militia called out-Armory at Springfield attacked-Defeat of the insurgents-Petition for pardon- Activity of General Lincoln-Capture of the rioters-Re- storation of tranquillity.
EARLY in 1782, peace became a matter of confident hope. The popular feeling in England was evidently against continuing hostilities. A
277
PROSPECTS OF PEACE.
1783.]
change in the ministry had consequently taken place, and a majority of the members of the new cabinet were favourably disposed toward the American confederacy. Powers of ne- gotiation, with a view to the adjustment of difficulties, had likewise been delegated by Congress to our ambassadors in France and Holland.
The chief object to be secured in such negotia- tions was entire independence. Many questions of minor importance were also to be settled ; among others, that of the fisheries, which inti- mately concerned a large class of the citizens of Massachusetts. Through a memorial of the general court, Congress was led to instruct its ambassadors "to contend for a right to the fisheries on the Banks of Newfoundland and in the North American seas." Though not urged as absolutely necessary to the conclusion of peace, this right was obtained with but little trouble; and, at the same time, the important privilege was secured of taking and curing fish on some of the British coasts.
While negotiations for peace were going on, and after it had been rendered almost certain that an amicable settlement would be made, the states, in their individual and confederated. capacities, were busily engaged in examining the condition in which the struggle had left their financial departments. The public treasury was
24
278
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. [1783.
found to be exhausted, and claims, numerous and urgent, were constantly pouring in. A large proportion of these was for wages due the troops then about to be disbanded, many of them nearly destitute of the means of subsistence. Congress at that time was utterly unable to liqui- date more than a small part of these demands. .When this fact became known, some of the less thoughtful soldiers inconsiderately, and urged on by pressing need, formed the resolution of not lay- ing down their arms until the whole amount of their claims was discharged. 'Happily, through the vigorous exertions of General Washington and other influential officers, among whom were General Knox and Colonel Brooks, of Massa- chusetts, 'this resolution, so threatening to the safety of the infant republic, was finally aban- doned.
At length, late in 1783, the joyful intelligence was received that an honourable peace had been definitely concluded on the 3d of September of that year.
Thus was secured independence, the object of eight years of struggle, attended with the utmost toil and privation, and made glorious by innu- merable instances of patriotic devotion. It now remained to be shown that independence could be maintained. The problem was to be solved whether states, with interests so various and conflicting as those at work in the confederacy,
279
DIFFICULTIES IN THE STATE.
1783.]
could move together as harmoniously in peace as they had in war. Many causes were against the solution of this question in a manner grati- fying to the patriot and to the lover of freedom. Chief among these was the exhausted condition of the state and national treasuries. This, to- gether with others less operative and immediate, for a time threatened a result of the most dis- astrous character. But, in the end, patriotism rose superior to self-interest and the jealousies of states ; and the foundations of our country, though laid in a period of stormy dissension, were only made firmer and more durable in consequence.
Massachusetts, to a greater extent, perhaps, than any of her sister states, had, after the con- clusion of hostilities, to struggle with internal difficulties growing out of the war of independ- ence. To the public service she had contributed largely, both in men and money. Between eight and nine thousand of her citizens had perished in the revolutionary contest ; and she was now labouring under a heavy debt incurred in main- taining her own troops, and in furnishing her quota of the expenses of the confederacy. To discharge this debt, resort was had to taxation, which, though extremely burdensome, was, for a short period, borne with commendable fortitude.
Within two years subsequent to the treaty of peace, however, the feeling of universal joy
280
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[1785.
which that event had created, began to subside, and a growing tendency to dissatisfaction was manifested among all classes of the community. The state, on her own account, was in debt five millions of dollars ; her proportion of the con- tinental debt was nearly as much more. Her credit was low and utterly unsatisfactory to those who were clamorously presenting their demands against it; the burden of taxation was becoming more and more insupportable; and the manufacturing interests of the commonwealth were compelled to struggle on against a heavy and almost unrestricted importation of British and other foreign goods. These evils, and others originating from them, were hard to bear. Self- interest in individuals may be at all times second to patriotism ; but, in the masses, this is only the case in moments of great public danger. Hence it was but natural that a spirit of dis- content should spring up among the people.
At this critical period, early in the year 1785, Mr. Bowdoin was chosen by the legislature to occupy the gubernatorial chair, then left vacant by the resignation of Governor Hancock, who, having been for the last ten years arduously engaged in the public service, deemed that an interval of repose was absolutely necessary for the restoration of his shattered health.
With the spirit of discontent above mentioned, expressing his firm conviction of the existence of
281
BOWDOIN'S ADDRESS.
1785.]
evils, yet entertaining various and conflicting opinions as to what would most effectually obviate them, the new governor, at the very outset of his administration, found himself obliged to con- tend. At once to remove every cause of com- plaint was impossible. He therefore urged upon the people the necessity of patience. While acknowledging that the burden of their taxes was indeed heavy, he bade them remember that it was the price of their independence. He animadverted against the extravagant importa- tion of foreign goods, by which the commonwealth was drained of her specie, her manufactures re- tarded, and her merchants hampered by debts contracted with foreign dealers. In speaking of the commercial regulations of Great Britain, which were at that time selfish and monopolising, and highly injurious to the interests of the New England states, he lamented that Congress had not been invested with sufficient powers to regu- late our commercial intercourse with foreign nations ; and advised the general court to take measures for obtaining a national convention, to which the question of enlarging the powers of the confederacy might be referred.
Pursuant to the governor's recommendation, the general court immediately adopted several measures calculated to obviate, in some respects, the difficulties 'under which the state then la- boured. They also passed resolutions favourable
24*
282
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[1786.
to a convention of delegates from all the states, for the purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation, in accordance with the views expressed by Governor Bowdoin. These resolu- tions were transmitted to Congress, with the request that that body would take the subject into consideration.
This question, meanwhile, had been agitated throughout the several states. That the Articles of Confederation were insufficient for their great design, was the opinion of every reflecting per- son. With regard to the regulation of commerce, they were thought to be particularly defective. Consequently, whilst, in January, 1786, the Legislature of Massachusetts was meditating the passage of a bill giving Congress complete and unconditional power to regulate foreign commerce, a proposition was made by the as- sembly of Virginia for a convention of commis- sioners from the several states, to meet at Annapolis, Maryland, in order to take measures for revising and amending the plan of federal government. Commissioners from six states accordingly met at the place appointed, in Sep- tember, 1786; but finding themselves too few in number to carry out any definite and effectual measures, after recommending a convention of delegates from all the states, to meet at Phila- delphia in the following May, they resolved to adjourn.
283
1786.] DISCONTENT AMONG THE PEOPLE.
Early in the summer of 1786, soon after the re-election of Governor Bowdoin by a large ma- jority of the popular vote, there were numerous symptoms manifested that a crisis was fast ap- proaching; which, without an uncommon degrec of wisdom on the part of the rulers of the com- monwealth, and of patriotic fortitude and calm- ness upon that of her well-disposed citizens, could not otherwise terminate than in the most deplorable anarchy. That discontent which had been but partially quieted in the previous year, be- gan again to show itself alarmingly, and with re- doubled violence of complaint. To enumerate all the causes alleged for this discontent is, per- haps, unnecessary. The single fact that the taxes were extremely high and burdensome, may be enough to account for it all. For the present year, the sum to be raised by taxation was almost a million and a half of dollars: but little less than four dollars for every man, woman, and child in the state. There was scarcely any specie in the country ; and, consequently, the mercantile and agricultural classes, on whom the great burden of taxation fell, found themselves continually increasing their indebtedness to the commonwealth, from an inability to discharge their dues in legal currency.
Dissatisfaction at length rose to such a height that, early in August, 1786, a convention, com- posed of delegates from some fifty towns in the
284
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. [1786.
county of Hampshire, met at Hatfield, "to con- sider and provide a remedy for the grievances they suffered." Having disavowed any illegal intentions, and declared itself constitutional, the convention prepared a long list of grievances, and then adjourned, after a session of three days. A few weeks subsequent a body of fifteen hundred armed men collected at Northamp- ton, the shire-town of Hampshire county, and forcibly prevented the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas, which judicial tribunal, on ac- count of the expense incurred in maintaining it, the convention had declared to be unnecessary and injurious. A proclamation was immediately issued by the governor, forbidding all such un- lawful combinations, and asking the aid of every good citizen in their suppression. Little effect was produced by this document. Dissatisfaction and misrule rapidly spread themselves through- out the western counties of the state. On va- rious occasions, and - at different places, the sittings of the court were prevented or broken up. In some few cases the militia were called out ; and, by their prompt action, legal proceed- ings were enabled to go on. As yet, however, no blood had been shed. Where there was no military force for their protection, the courts prudently adjourned upon the appearance of the insurrectionists ; and, where the troops were nu- merous, the latter made no demonstrations that
285
ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE.
1786.]
could warrant the exercise of military rule. On one occasion, the insurgents collected at Taunton, in order to prevent the sitting of the court, the military force to guard which was inferior to · them in point of number. General Cobb, com- mander of the militia, and judge of the court, approaching the malecontents, declared to them that "he would sit as a judge, or die as a gene- ral." Knowing him to be a man as true to his word as he was courageous in spirit, the insur- gents quietly separated.
At the close of September, the legislature convened in special session. After adopting a law against illegal and riotous assemblies, and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for a period of eight months, acts were passed to redress, as far as possible, the real grievances of which the people complained. Among others, bills for allowing debtors to dis- charge executions with real or personal estate ; for paying part of the state tax in specific articles instead of specie; and for appropriating certain revenues, formerly pledged to other pur- poses, to defraying governmental expenses-thus rendering the necessity for collecting the direct tax less urgent. Lenient conditions, insuring full pardon for past offences, were also offered to the insurgents.
Up to this time the government had carried out no measures of a severe or stringent cha-
286
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. [1786.
racter. It was felt by the executive authority that the people, though rash and inconsiderate in their conduct, were yet urged to action only by the force of great and pressing evils. A mild course had, therefore, been deemed advisa- ble. Strenuous efforts had been made, however, to enlighten the disaffected with regard to the causes of their grievances, and to show them that time was required for their complete abate- ment ; and thus, it was hoped, the insurgents would become conscious of their folly and wickedness, and be led to disperse quietly and of their own accord.
But, however much the great body of the discontented may have been disposed to respect the leniency, and yield to the arguments and persuasions of the governor and his advisers, their leaders were only encouraged to inflame them the more. Matters continued to increase in seriousness. At length some of the most prominent of those engaged in disturbing the courts were arrested, and lodged in jail at Boston. Soon afterward the insurgents assembled, nearly a thousand strong, at Worcester, where the court had just adjourned, and placed guards over those houses where the judges resided who yet remained in town. Otherwise, with the excep- tion of their billeting themselves upon the inha- bitants, their conduct was moderate and inof- fensive.
-
287
1786.]
MILITIA CALLED OUT.
-
While the insurgents were at Worcester, it was proposed by one Daniel Shays, who had taken command of the entire force, that they should march to the deliverance of the prisoners confined at Boston. As they had been receiving constant accessions to their number, he did not deem the design an impracticable one. For- tunately for themselves, and for the common- wealth, perhaps, it was not acted upon, and many of the malecontents returned to their homes. Those remaining, with Shays at their head, repaired to an old revolutionary barracks, some twelve miles distant, where they took up their quarters. It was the middle of December, and the weather was remarkably cold. The in- surgents, in consequence, suffered severely, not only from the rigour of the season, but also from a scarcity of provisions. Whatever they may have undergone, it does not seem to have de- terred them from pursuing the line of conduct they had marked out. Near the close of the month they made their appearance at Springfield, where the court was about sitting, took posses- sion of the court-house, and prevented all judi- cial proceedings.
To this last act of violence the forbearance of the governor was compelled to yield. He im- mediately issued a call for raising a large body of militia. Alarmed by the promptitude with which this call was answered, the insurgents
288
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[1787.
were led to prepare and forward to the governor a petition for pardon ; but he, deeming this docu- ment highly offensive and dictatorial in its style and language, did not think it compatible with the dignity of the state to give them any hopes of pardon upon the conditions which they at- tached to it. 1
Until toward the close of January, 1787, no collision took place between the militia and the insurgents. Desiring possession of the military arsenal at Springfield, a post of no mean import- ance, a considerable force of the insurgents marched to attack that place. General Shepard, who, with about one thousand militia had been stationed at Springfield, on their approach, sent them repeated messages, warning and entreating them not to persist in their attempt. No effect being produced by these, blank cartridges were fired at the deluded multitude, but likewise to no purpose. Whereupon General Shepard or- dered a few guns to be discharged directly into their ranks. Three of the insurgents fell dead at the first fire, when the remainder, hastily, and in extreme confusion, retreated to a neigh- bouring town.
The result of this affair seems not to have greatly disheartened the insurgent leaders, who still rallied around their standards large num- bers of the people. On the 4th of February following, the general court declared the exist-
289
ACTIVITY OF LINCOLN.
1787.]
ence of a "dangerous rebellion" in the common- wealth. Meanwhile the militia and the "rebels" had been marching and countermarching, though without at any time coming into actual collision. Both parties, however, were much distressed by the severity of the season.
Soon after the declaration of the general court, that body received a petition from the insurgents, in which, after acknowledging their error in forcibly opposing the government, yet insisting that they had cause to complain of grievances which ought to have been re- dressed, they promised to lay down their arms and disperse, provided pardon was granted to them for the past. The general court replied that they could not listen to a petition presented by men with arms in their hands; and that no pardon could be assured to leaders « justly chargeable with the aggravated crime of rebel- lion, after repeated warnings, and former assur- ances of clemency."
A few days subsequent to the reception of this petition, General Lincoln, under whose com- mand was a considerable military force, having learned that the main body of the rebels was collected at Petersham, resolved to make an at- tack upon that place. Accordingly, after a rapid and painful night-march through a deep snow, he suddenly entered the town about day- break. The insurgents, who had not received
25
290
HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. [1787.
the slightest intelligence of his approach, were too surprised to offer any serious resistance, and fled in various directions, and in the utmost dis- order. One hundred and fifty were made prison- ers. Of the remainder, a large proportion either returned to their homes or left the state.
This energetic conduct completely destroyed the formidable character of the insurrection. Several collisions, however, afterward took place between straggling parties of the insurgents and the state authorities. In one of these, the former left upon the field two of their number dead, and as many as thirty wounded. In September, tran- quillity was so far restored, that it was deemed safe to disband what few troops yet remained in service. Previously, in May, a pardon had been granted to all engaged in the insurrection, who should within three months take the oath of allegiance, with the exception of nine persons. Of the nine excepted in this pardon, and who were then under sentence of death, four were subsequently liberated, and one condemned to hard labour in confinement. The others made their escape from prison, and took refuge in a neighbouring state.
1
291
HANCOCK RE-ELECTED.
1787.]
CHAFTER XXI.
Delegates sent to the national convention-Hancock re-elected governor-Adoption of the federal constitution-Formation of parties-Fervid political discussions-Federalists and anti-federalists-Virginia calls for a new convention- Amendments to the constitution by Congress-Reviving prosperity in Massachusetts-Agriculture and manufactures encouraged-Death of Hancock-Samuel Adams elected governor-National difficulties with France and England- Treaty stipulations with France-Arrogant conduct of Genet-Washington's policy of neutrality approved-Sym- . pathy for the French republic-Rejoicings in Boston-Hamil- ton's funding system-Sustained by Washington-Federal and republican differences-Party rancour and animosity- Charges against the Federalists and Republicans-Jay's treaty-Its reception in Massachusetts-Denounced by the Republicans-Ratified by the senate-Riotous proceedings.
MEANWHILE, the legislature had, in March, decided to send delegates to the national con- vention to be held at Philadelphia in the follow- ing May. An election had also taken place, in April, which resulted in the choice of Mr. Hancock as governor.
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.