USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume I > Part 32
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Worcester County Men Lead Opposition in Debate-The leader of the convention opposition was Dr. John Taylor of Douglas. Evidently he was an able politician. Jeremy Belknap dubbed him a "cunning and loqua- cious man." Almost equally important among the opponents of the Consti- tution was William Wedgery, a delegate from a little town in Maine, which then was a part of Massachusetts. Rufus King called the twain "the cham- pions of our opponents." But Dr. Taylor shone more as an obstructionist, as the politicians know the term, than in serious debate. Characteristic of his tactics was his question asked the convention : "Why the federal city," mean- ing the District of Columbia, "need be ten miles square ; why one mile square would not be sufficient." His chief weapon was in fogging the issue.
Mr. Wedgery went so far as to demand: "What serves to pay the debts of the yeomanry and others? Sir, when oil will quench fire, I shall believe all
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this-and not until then. On the contrary, I think the adoption of the con- stitution makes against them (the yeomanry), though it may be something in favor of the merchants." One delegate announced that in this issue he "would not trust a flock of Moseses."
Amos Singletary of Sutton, for whom was named the familiar pond in his home town, was an able man, self-educated, for he had never had a day in a schoolroom. He had the respect of his fellow-townsmen, whom he had represented in the Provincial Congress through the Revolution and after- wards in the House of Representatives. He was irrevocably opposed to the ratification. He told the convention : "These lawyers and men of learning and moneyed men who talk so finely, and gloss over matters so smoothly, to make us poor illiterate people swallow down the pill; they expect to be the managers of this constitution, and get all the power, and all the money in their own hands, and then they will swallow up all of us little folks, like the great Leviathan, yes, just as the whale swallowed up Jonah."
Major Kinsley of Hardwick, addressing the convention, expressed the dread of arbitrary power which was entertained by most of the delegates from his home county, when he said : "By the Articles of Confederation the people have three checks on their delegates in Congress-the annual election of them-their rotation-and the power to recall any, or all of them when they see fit. In view of our Federal rulers, they are the servants of the people.
"In the new constitution, we are deprived of annual elections-have no rotation-and cannot recall our members. Therefore, our federal rulers will be masters and not servants. I will examine what powers we have given to our masters. They have power to lay and collect all taxes, duties, imposts and excises-raise armies-fit our navies-to establish themselves in a federal town of ten miles square, equal to four middling townships; erect forts, magazines, arsenals, etc. Therefore, if congress be chosen of designing and interested men, they can perpetuate their existence, secure the resources of war, and the people will have nothing left to defend themselves with.
"Let us look into ancient history. The Romans after a war thought them- selves safe in a government of ten men, called the Decemviri; these ten men were invested with all powers, and were chosen for three years. By their arts and designs they secured their second election, but finding that from the manner in which they had exercised their power, they were not able to secure their third election, they declared themselves masters of Rome, impoverished the city, and deprived the people of their rights.
"It has been said that there was no danger. I will suppose they were to attempt the experiment, after we had given them all our money, established
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them in a federal town, with the power of coining money and raising a stand- ing army, and they should attempt to establish their arbitrary government. What resources have the people left? I cannot see any."
Another delegate declared: "An old saying, Sir, is that 'a good thing don't need praising' : but, Sir, it takes the best men in the state to gloss this constitution, which they say is the best human wisdom can invent. In praise of it, we hear the reverend clergy, the judges of the supreme court, and the ablest lawyers, exerting their utmost abilities. Now, Sir, suppose all this artillery turned the other way, and these great men would speak half as much against it, we might complete our business, and go home in forty-eight hours."
Yet another asserted of George Washington, that as president of the Fed- eral Constitutional convention, "his character fell fifty per cent."
But these country folk were not alone in their doubts and apprehensions. Isaiah Thomas was one of the ablest men who ever lived in the Common- wealth. A careful perusal of his New England Magazine through the early part of 1788, when the convention was in session, finds him in a state of indecision. During the discussion of the momentous question, he published letters for and against with strict impartiality, which was good journalism. But his editorial attitude was that of a neutral, and Isaiah Thomas was not accustomed to leave his thoughts unsaid in type, once he had espoused a cause. In this case, apparently, he could not make up his mind whether or not the Constitution as framed and accepted, which has governed the United States through all these many years, was what the confederated colonies needed.
Nor was John Hancock's attitude wholly satisfactory to the friends of the Constitution. In view of his close connection with Worcester, and likewise the pre-Revolutionary residence in the shire town of John Adams, an abstract from the latter's famous diary has more than casual interest, when he declared that whenever an important political issue was to be decided, John Hancock usually managed to have a convenient attack of gout. Although the Federalist leaders had picked him as president of the convention, and he was so elected, and he had been promised the first governorship of the new State of Massachusetts, it was several days before he was willing to occupy the pre- siding officer's chair.
On that historic afternoon, February 6, 1788, one hundred eighty-seven delegates voted for confirmation of the American Constitution, and one hun- dred sixty-eight voted against it. Only seven Worcester County delegates were listed in the affirmative. They were Honorable Josiah Goddard of Athol, Honorable Samuel Baker of Bolton, Dr. Joseph Wood of Grafton,
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Honorable John Sprague of Lancaster, Major David Wilder of Leominster, Captain Seth Newton of Southboro, and Captain Ephraim Wilder of Ster- ling. There is no record as to whether they followed the instructions of their townspeople, or voted according to their own convictions. Nor is this known as regards the delegates who cast their ballots in the negative.
The strong affirmative vote came from the old settled towns where affairs were largely controlled by the merchants and shipping interests, particularly from Boston, and from Plymouth and Essex counties. It was a narrow escape. But that did not matter. It was sufficient that Massachusetts went on record in favor of the Constitution.
That old copy of the New England Magazine takes pains to include the remarks of Mr. Wedgery and Dr. Taylor after the result of the ballot had been announced. They both accepted defeat in a proper spirit. Dr. Taylor told the convention, says the magazine, that "he had uniformly opposed the constitution, but he found himself fairly beat, and expressed his determina- tion to go home and endeavor to infuse a spirit of harmony and love among the people." This magnanimous spirit differed widely from the expreiences in several other states, where defeated opponents of the Constitution gave way to almost riotous anger.
The state of mind of the people of that old day is not easy of under- standing by the twentieth century American. As we have stated, they were distrustful of the new form of government, fearing that it would be converted into a monarchy. Their reasoning seems to have had substantial foundation. Edward Channing in his History of the United States, published in 1929, throws light on the matter, as follows: "No one, at this distance of time, can for a moment maintain that Washington and Hamilton and Adams and their supporters had any immediate expectation of reviving monarchy in America ; but we must remember that monarchy then was the general habit of man- kind. Hamilton certainly looked upon the English system with its kings, lords and commoners, with its aristocracy, its middle class, and lower sorts of people, as the most perfect system to be found anywhere, but he knew full well that nothing of the kind could openly be set up in the United States. Adams maintained that men were more easily governed when trained to habits of respect to those in high station. He would have honored the chief magis- trate with some such title as "His Majesty, the President." He constantly used the words monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic to describe a govern- ment of three branches. He had no idea that a limited monarchy would be established in the United States in his time; but he believed it would come eventually because jealousy, envy and ingratitude had ruined every democ- racy and every aristocracy and every mixture of the two. America would be
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no exception to the march of history in other lands and in other times. Adams' opinions were well known and found favor in the eyes of Hamilton and his friends and were greatly disliked by many others.
"Washington took part, with every appearance of willingness, in cere- monials that dismayed many persons of republican and democratic proclivi- ties. He had asked the advice of Adams and Hamilton as to what kind of station he should keep, and the reply of the latter became the basis of his official conduct. He decided not to maintain an open table, as the presidents of congress had done. He determined to make no visits and not to receive callers, except on certain stated public occasions. These came to be called 'levees,' where there was a good deal of stately precision. Mrs. Washington also held her 'drawing rooms' and both the President and wife were present at public balls. Washington drove about the capital city, whether New York, or Philadelphia, in a coach drawn by four cream-colored horses, quite after the Guelphic manner. He made three journeys over the country, which might fairly be likened to royal progresses."
Washington's manner of official living was not greatly different from that of some more recent presidents. Nor did it jar greatly on the prejudices of our New England people, so long as George Washington was President. When in the first year of his administration he visited Worcester County he rode in what is described as a chariot drawn by four blooded horses, but no one thought his state greater than his dignity demanded. But when John Adams succeeded him, his political opponents could not reconcile formalities savoring of a royal court with the representative of a free and independent people.
To quote Channing a little further, in getting the atmosphere of the period : "Nowadays 'secession' and 'disunion' have a dreadful sound, but then they had nothing of the kind. The relative advantages and disadvantages of working together or in two or three groups was a subject for discussion and correspondence. Every now and then the putting an end to the existing constitutional arrangement came before the politicians as a practical question for peaceful solution. In 1790, the assuming or not assuming State debts was generally recognized as involving a continuance or dissolution of the federal system. In 1792, the ending of the Union is constantly mentioned in letters. In 1795, the Reverend John Pierce noticing the sumptuousness of the new capitol at Hartford, Connecticut, wrote that it 'excites the suspicion . that it contemplated to make this a Capitol should there be a division of the Northern from the Southern States.'
"Washington devoted a large portion of the farewell address to his 'Friends and Fellow-Citizens' to arguing for the continuance of the 'Unity of
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Government.' In the first writing of the address, he adverted to the con- stant assertions that were made as to the small amount of affections of the several parts of the United States for each other, and that the union would be dissolved if this measure or that measure were passed. These intimations were indiscreet, he thought, and tended to teach the minds of men to con- sider the Union as an object to which they ought not to attach their hopes and their fortunes.
"The most notable deliverance on the subject of disunion came from Jefferson in 1798 in a letter to John Taylor of Carolina. Taylor had sug- gested to a common friend that the way out of all the difficulties that were besetting the South was for that section to separate from the north, Jeffer- son acknowledged that they were then under 'the saddle of Massachusetts and Connecticut,' but the temporary superiority of one portion of the country over the rest was no justification for a 'scission of the Union.' If the New England States were cut off, a Pennsylvania and a Virginian party would immediately arise in the 'residuary confederacy.' It was convenient to have some one to quarrel with and the New Englanders were good for that pur- pose. 'A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over' and the South will come into its own."
In a history of the character of this book, one may deal but sketchily with national affairs, even in a period of such vital importance as that under dis- cussion. It is sufficient to say that great events followed one another in rapid succession-the establishment of the United States bank and mint; Jay's treaty with England, which brought forth a storm of protest ; the arrival of "Citizen" Genet following the French Revolution, and his attempt to embroil the United States in his country's war with England; the great wave of immigration to the West, in which Worcester County men and their families joined, following after the General Rufus Putnam exodus to Marietta; the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania ; the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France; Lewis and Clark's expedition to Oregon; the war on the Tripoli pirates; the killing of Hamilton in his duel with Aaron Burr and Burr's trial for treason ; and Robert Fulton's steamboat on the Hudson. And there were others, culminating in the War of 1812, to which further attention will be given. Wherever men met in those days, there was a plenty of sub- jects to talk about, in friendly or acrimonious argument.
Washington's Tour Through Worcester County-The visit of George Washington to Worcester County in October, 1789, the year of his inaugura- tion as President of the new United States, was naturally an occasion of great importance to the vast number of people who saw the man they all venerated, and to the many who had the honor and pleasure of meeting him personally.
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It was an imposing little cavalcade that traveled over the Boston Post Road on the way to Boston, and, on the return journey, over the Boston and Hartford Turnpike through the towns of Mendon, Uxbridge and Douglas. In advance rode a gentleman in brilliant uniform mounted on a magnificent dapple-grey horse. He was followed by two aids, likewise on dapple-grey chargers and wearing bright military dress. Then came President Washing- ton in his chariot which was drawn by a pair of handsome bay horses of the Mount Vernon breed, each ridden by a negro boy in livery. In the rear was the baggage wagon with its pair of bays, with driver and attendants in livery.
The President arrived in Brookfield from Hartford on the evening of Tuesday, October 22, and spent the night at the Brookfield Tavern. He must have made a very early start for Worcester, for when, after passing through Spencer, he arrived in Leicester, the morning was still young. His arrival and reception in Worcester were thus described in the Massachusetts Spy: "Information being received on Tuesday evening (October 22) that His Highness would be in town the next morning, a number of respectable citi- zens, about forty, paraded before sunrise, on horseback, and went as far as Leicester line to welcome him, and escort him into town. The Worcester company of artillery, commanded by Major Treadwell, were already assem- bled; on notice being given that His Highness was approaching, five cannon were fired, for the five New England states ; three for the three in the Union; one for Vermont, which will speedily be admitted ; and one as a call to Rhode Island to be ready before it be too late.
"Then the President-General arrived in sight of the meeting-house, eleven cannon were fired. He viewed with attention the artillery company as he passed, and expressed to the inhabitants his sense of the honor done him. He stopped at the United States Arms, and breakfasted, and then proceeded on his journey. To gratify the inhabitants, he politely passed through the town on horseback, dressed in a brown suit, and pleasure glowed in every counte- nance. Eleven cannon were again fired. The gentlemen of the town escorted him a few miles, when they took their leave." The Father of His Country proceeded on his way with his party through Shrewsbury and Northboro and on into Middlesex, and to Boston.
In the quaint little Worcester book "Carl's Tour in Main Street," pub- lished in 1855, which tells of a lad's experience walking about the town with his father in about the year 1830, Washington's visit is described as follows : "As we passed by the Exchange Coffee House" at Market Street "it was the remark of my father that he remembered perfectly well just how President Washington looked the morning he stopped there to take his breakfast. It was the first year of his presidency-the first under the constitution. It was on Friday, the 23rd day of October, 1789. The town, my father said, was
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thrown into a great excitement the afternoon previous by the arrival of the news that Washington was at Brookfield, and would reach Worcester the next morning.
"Every good horse was put in requisition ; and at sunrise a cavalcade of some forty to fifty gentlemen-most of them young men-rode up to Leicester, to meet the president and escort him into town. My father said, with hundreds of others he was waiting near the South Church; and as the president came over the high ground near where Oread Institute now is, a signal was given, and cannons were fired and the bell rung.
"The president rode in a chariot drawn by two beautiful bay horses, which were understood to be of his own raising on his Virginia estates; and when he had reached the south end of Main Street, he left the chariot and rode horseback through Main Street to the United States Arms" (afterwards the Exchange Coffee House) "where he dismounted and partook of a breakfast.
"My father said the people were much disappointed that the president could stop no longer ; but he apologized by saying that it was then Friday morning, and he was anxious to reach Boston before Sunday. After break- fast, amidst immense cheering by the people who had assembled in great numbers, Washington took his seat in his chariot, and started off on the old road to Boston (now Lincoln Street) attended as far as Marlboro by a large cavalcade of gentlemen from Worcester."
"Washington was then fifty-seven years and eight months old. He wore a brown dress, my father told me; and was an unostentatious, plain, sedate, citizen, notwithstanding people generally addressed him and spoke of him as His Highness, the President."
Upon leaving Worcester, Washington's next stop was at the tavern in Shrewsbury, then kept by Major John Farrar, veteran of the Revolution, but afterward known as the Pease Tavern. Elizabeth Ward, in her little book, Old Times in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, published in 1892, gives us this delightful anecdote: "When it became known that the hero of the Revolution was to pass this way, the school-children received an extra lesson in making their manners, that they might greet the chieftain with proper respect. And so it happened, that as General Washington was driving by in his carriage, preceded by his escort, his attention was attracted to a row of children on each side of the road, the boys on one side making their bows and the girls sweeping their graceful courtesies on the other. The outriders in their uni- forms bright with scarlet cloth and gold lace, were so splendid that the chil- dren hardly noticed the stopping of the carriage, until a gentleman in plain brown dress alighted and Washington himself stood before them, speaking to every child and shaking hands with the older ones.
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"John Farrar's little daughter Hannah was among them ; her expectations had been greatly excited concerning the unusual guest for whom such a stir had been made, and who was to receive such distinguishing marks of respect from the children, her imagination picturing him as some superior being. So when the tall gentleman in the plain brown suit stepped from the carriage, dressed more plainly than his guard and postillions, and she became aware that he was the great Washington, this spirited young woman of ten, whose noble ancestor's name was on the Roll of Battle Abbey, refused her curtesy and turning her back upon the 'Father of His Country' exclaimed, 'He is nothing but a man!' Her words, accompanied with a look of intense disgust on her face, amused Washington, and calling her back to him, he presented her with a silver shilling. This shilling is still preserved in the family as a great treasure."
Then Washington entered the tavern and was ushered into a front parlor where he sipped a glass of wine, while the others of his party patronized the bar. It is probable that they were joined there by the gentlemen of Worces- ter who made up the cavalcade of escort.
Happenings of the Return Journey-On the return journey over the Hartford Turnpike there occurred the most ironic event in the history of the town of Mendon, an unfortunate incident savoring of the semi-tragic, which resulted in one of the most treasured bits in the history of the neighboring town of Uxbridge. President Washington had planned to spend a night with an old army friend, Colonel Amidon, landlord of the Mendon Tavern, and the delighted veteran and his household had for days been making prepara- tions for the reception of the distinguished visitor. But they could not be told in advance the exact time of expected arrival.
On that November 8th, the road was in bad shape. In fact, in 1789, it was none too good at its best. The progress of the Presidential party was slow, and it was late and the night pitch dark when the coach pulled up at the Mendon Tavern door. Colonel Amidon was away. His wife, for some unexplained reason, did not recognize the arrivals, and the President of the United States was refused lodging. Not realizing who the travelers were, perhaps she feared to fill her house, lest the great Washington might not have the best.
So the cavalcade proceeded on its way, and soon reached the Wood Tavern in Uxbridge. There, too, they could not be received, for Mrs. Wood had just died, and there was no mistress of the house to look after the enter- tainment and comfort of so distinguished a guest. So again they set forth, directed to the Taft Tavern at North Uxbridge.
Washington was not expected, of course. But Landlord Warner Taft was always ready for any guest. The President tasted the warming toddy,
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enjoyed the best of suppers, waited upon the landlord's pretty daughters, Mercy and Parla, wrote a letter back to Boston, and retired for the night.
In the meanwhile, Colonel Amidon had returned to his inn and discov- ered the awful blunder that his wife had made. What he said is not recorded ; imagination supplies the substance. But he wasted little time. With his daughter he urged his best horse at top speed, in search of the departed friend.
Arriving at the Taft Tavern, he found that the President was in bed. To the surprise of the attendants, however, the General learning of his caller, attired himself in a dressing gown and descended to the parlor, and the old comrades had an enjoyable reunion. But nothing the Colonel could say would move the President to return to Mendon. He was far too comfortable where he was.
Tradition has it that Washington in bidding good night to Miss Amidon, said : "Allow me to ask you one question. You have come a good ways to see an old man. How far would you have gone to see a young one?" No one knows the young lady's reply.
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