USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Charlestown > History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4 > Part 19
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Charlestown, Dec. 21st, A. D., 1781.
ELISHA PAYNE, Lieut. Gov.
1
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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
but in Case the proposals on there Part should appear to the General assembly of New-Hampshire To be inadmissable, and no Proposals made by our assembly should be complied with, in such case, I should Humbly conceive that a surspention of opperations would be attended with bad consequences ; as sending out orders and counter orders to the Militia would be Productive of a Sperit of slumber in them, and weak- en the hands of Government. The wisdom of the General assembly will direct them-have only to ad that I have been used well as a Pris- oner-have had the liberty of the yard and they Now begin to desire me to depart out of there Course.
I am sir your Honor's most obedient Humble Serv't, ENOCH HALE."
The Hon'ble President.
By the word " Course", in the last sentence of the letter, it has been suggested, that the Colonel probably meant Coasts ; but his meaning will not be likely to be misunderstood.
On the arrival of the Commissioners at Exeter Dr. Page was almost immediately brought before a Committee of the House of Representa- tives for examination, which resulted in the following action :
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. " In the House of Representatives, Dec. 27th, 1781.
The Committee to Consider what is to be done respecting Mr. Wil- liam Page reported that they have examined the said William Page, and the evidence respecting his conduct, and it plainly appearing that he has accepted the Office of Sheriff, under the usurped authority of Vermont, and exercised the same for a considerable time within the County of Cheshire, and are of Opinion, that the said William Page should be committed to Gaol, at Exeter, on a Mittimus from some Magis- trate within the County of Rockingham, to take his trial at the next Superior Court, to be holden within the County of Rockingham.
[Signed] W. J. LANGDON, for the Committee.
Which report being read and Considered- Voted, that the same be received and accepted.
Sent up for concurrence.
JOHN LANGDON, Speaker.
In Council the same day read and Concurred.
E. THOMSON, Sec'y."
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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
The subject of bail coming up, a Committee of the House was ap- pointed to consider it. The following is the result :-
" State of In the House of Representatives,
New-Hampshire, S
Dec. 27th, 1781.
The Committee to consider of the propriety of admitting William Page to bail reported as their opinion, that the said Page be not at pres- ent liberated ; which is submitted.
[Signed.] Nich'l Gilman for the Committee.
Which report being read and Concurred-Voted, that it be received and accepted.
Sent up for Concurrence.
JOHN LANGDON, Speaker.
In Council the same day read and Concurred.
E. THOMSON, Sec'y."
On the 4th of January, 1782, a committee was appointed in the House of Representatives "to consider of the propriety of the Justices of the Superior Court or the Chief Justice, admitting William Page to bail, who reported, as their opinion, that they could not consider the matter refer- red to them without having the said Page before them, with all papers relative to his commitment, together with an examination into various circumstances, which they conceive to be without the line of their de- partment. They, therefore, further report, that the said Page apply to the Superior Court for his liberation from Prison, before whom, only, the Committee conceive such matters to be cognizable."
On the same day that William Page was committed to Gaol, at Ex- eter, warrants were issued, signed by Josiah Bartlett, Chairman of the Committee of Safety, for the apprehension of Colonel Samuel King, Mo- ses Smith, Isaac Griswold and Nathaniel S. Prentice, Esq., on account of the part they had acted, under Vermont, in connection with the pris- oners confined in Charlestown Gaol. The warrant was directed to Rob- ert Smith, Special Sheriff, who, if they could be found within the limits of New-Hampshire, was ordered to bring them, with all possible des- patch before the Committee of Safety to be examined in relation to mat- ters alleged against them, that they might be dealt with as justice and equity might require ; and the Special Sheriff was impowered, in the warrant, to call on all officers, civil and military, and other subjects of the state, to aid and assist him.
Mr. Prentice was taken, and brought before the Committee of Safety on the 7th of January, 1782, and it appearing, upon examination, that
184
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
he had acted within the State of New-Hampshire, as an officer of Ver- mont, he was committed to Gaol.
Colonel King was also arrested ; but the fact exciting the indignation of the people, Captains Fairbanks, Davis, Pratt, Pomroy and Harvey, of Chesterfield, and Captain Carlisle, of Westmoreland, with such arms and numbers as they could speedily gather, followed the Sheriff and his posse to Keene, where, by a sudden attack he was arrested out of their hands. Moses Smith and Isaac Griswold, named in the warrant, could not be found. On the rescue of Colonel King, Special Sheriff Smith of- fered four hundred silver dollars reward to any person or persons who should " bring Samuel King, of Chesterfield, to Exeter, New-Hampshire and there confine him in Gaol; or have him, the said King, before the Committee of Safety of said State."
The excitement attending these transactions will be best described by the following letters, written at the time, to President Weare :-
HONORED SIR :
This moment two men from Chesterfield, who made their escape from the mob, who, after they had rescued Samuel King from the officer, re- turned to Chesterfield and apprehended Lieutenant Roberson, and two others, whom they seemed determined to treat according to the Custom of Vermont; that is by whipping them. Whether they will really ven- ture upon this business is very uncertain to me. But they have actual- ly driven many of the good subjects of the State from their homes in this cold night. Mr. Bingham's son is one of the men that have come to my house for shelter, who I have this account from, who expected to have found his father here with another man who made their escape. They have not been here and I am some concerned for them. The tri- umphs of the Vermonters are great, and say that New-Hampshire dare not come like men in the day-time, but like a thief, and steal a man or two away. Your honor cannot be insensible of our situation. I would not wish to dictate, but pray that something may be done that shall be for the relief of the good subjects of this part of the State, and for the good of the State. I thought it my duty to inform your honor, as it is not likely that any other person will be informed that will write to your honor by the post.
I am sir your honor's most obedient and humble servant,
JOSEPH BURT.
Westmoreland, Jan. 1st, 1782, at 12 o'clock at night.
Hon. President Weare, Esq.
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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
N. B. You will excuse the writing ; being called out of bed in a cold night."
Benjamin Bellows to President Weare.
" WALPOLE, Jan. 2nd, 1782.
SIR: I have often troubled you with a narrative of our distresses and difficulties in this part of the State. Notwithstanding, I presume you, and the rest of honorable committee of safety, will exercise your wonted indulgence, while I give account of some new difficulties arising upon the officers attempting to convey one Samuel King, of Chesterfield, to Exeter, which rescue you will have an account of before this reaches you. Upon the return of the mob, after proper refreshment at said King's they sought for all those persons who were any way concerned in assisting the aforesaid officer; some of whom they got into their hands, and have abused in a shameful and barbarous manner, by strik- ing kicking and all the indignities which such a hellish pack can be guilty of ; obliging them to promise and engage never to appear against the new State again, and that is not all; they swear they will extirpate all the adherents of New-Hampshire, threatening to kill, burn and de- stroy the persons and property of all who oppose them ; that the friends to this State cannot continue at said Chesterfield with their families, but are obliged to seek an asylum in other towns among the Hampshire peo- ple. I have two respectable inhabitants of said Chesterfield now shel- tering themselves under my roof, who, I have the greatest reason to think, would be treated by them in a barbarous manner were they in their power, as they have stove in doors and broke up houses in search of then. I am credibly informed that there is in said Chesterfield about one hundred persons who support said King. and say they (New-Hampshire) can do nothing only in a mean and underhanded way; in short, they defy all the authority and force of the State, and are determined to support and maintain their usurped authority, maugre all attempts, that have or shall be made to curb or restrain their usur- pations. The wrath of man and the raging of the sea are in Scripture put together, and it is He alone, who can rule the latter and restrain the former. I hope and trust the Author of Wisdom will direet the honor- able Committee to such measures as will ultimately tend to the peace and happiness of this part of the State, and more especially those adherents of New-Hampshire who are in a sense suffering for righteousness' sake. I am with all esteem and respect
Your most obedient humble Servant,
BENJAMIN BELLOWS."
186
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
On the 5th of December orders had been issued by the Committee of Safety to General Moses Nichols of Amherst and General Benjamin Bellows to furnish troops from their commands for the liberation of Colonel Hale. That troops were raised for this purpose is quite cer- tain, but that they were despatched on their intended expedition, there is no evidence, since, on Friday Dec. 21st 1781, we find a " vote for a Com- mittee to join a Committee of the Board to consider what is necessary to be done respecting the liberating Colonel Hale and others from Charlestown Gaol," and the next day Dec. 22nd, we find a " resolve di- recting Major General Folsom to put into immediate execution the late order of the Committee of Safety for liberating Colonel Enoch Hale and others out of Charlestown Gaol." On the 27th again the as- sembly " voted to postpone the sending the orders to Colonel Moses Keille (Kelley) for raising the Militia to liberate Colonel Hale." And as within a few days of this time Colonel Hale was set at liberty by the Vermont Authorities there could of course be no need of a milita- ry expedition for that purpose .*
General Roger Enos and Colonel Ira Allen, notwithstanding the imprisonment of their colleague Dr. Page determined still, if possible, to secure the object of their mission. They therefore addressed the following note to Hon. Josiah Bartlett Esq., President &c.
* I have not been able to ascertain the exact date of the release of Colonel Hale ; but his liberation, probably, took place between the 27th and 30th of December 1781. I find that Colonel Hale in his capacity of Sheriff, took Benjamin Giles Esq., into custody by order from the Committee of Safety of New-Hampshire on the 10th of January, 1782; and that he was rescued from him by the adherents of Vermont. (See Hale's letter). This was the second time he had been taken by the Colonel; the first time according to Colonel Bellows having been about ten days before. He must have been liberated then at least by the first of January. An- other item of evidence corroborating this is, that Colonel Hale on the 221 of Jan- uary 1782, has the following bill against him on the account book of Colonel Abel Walker, who kept at that time the principal house of entertainment in Charlestown :
Col. Hale Dr. December 1781
to mug of flip and glass of rum 013
27th to mug of flip 010
January 22d 1782 to twenty-two days board and horse keeping four nights 10 6 0 to mug of flip
0 1 0
If he went to board with Colonel Walker as he probably did immediately on his release it would bring his liberation on the last of December or first of January.
187
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
Exeter, Dec. 29th 1781.
"SIR :
You will herewith receive a duplicate of our commission to attend the General Court (of) New-Hampshire and (we) have to add, that notwithstanding one of our Colleges (colleagues) Mr. William Page Esq., being confined in Gaol contrary as we conceive to the laws of states or nations, we are so desirous of an accommodation (that we) are ready to enter on the business of our mission.
We are with sentiments Of esteem your Humble Serv'ts ROGER ENOS, IRA ALLEN.
The Hon'ble Elisha (Josiah) Bartlett Esq., President &c."
This note produced no effect and no negotiation could be entered into by the united exertions of the agents of Vermont, nor could they learn what determination the court had or would probably come to ; all was a profound secret.
" In this situation Colonel Allen engaged a lady to gain for him the requisite information, which she effected, and informed him of the time when the business would finally be discussed and determined in the General Court by both houses in grand committee."
When the court convened on this subject, Colonel Allen went into the lobby and began to write a memorial to the Legislature of New- Hampshire. In the mean time he heard the debates and that the court determined on appointing an agent to take the advice of Con- gress previous to any hostile measures. On this Colonel Allen took his leave of General Enos and Dr. Page, and on his return wrote to Lieutenant Governor Payne and the members of the council on the east side of the mountain requesting them to attend in council at Ar- lington, on the 10th of January 1782, to take such further steps as might be thought proper .*
* The following is the report of the Committee of both houses Jan. 8th, 1782, for sending an armed force to support the civil officers in the county of Cheshire.
To wit; that an armed force be immediately raised and sent into the western part of this State for the defence and protection of the inhabitants there and to enable the civil officers to exercise their authority in that quarter ; that the said armed force consist of one thousand men including officers ; that a proclamation be issued and forwarded to the several towns and places in the western parts of
188
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
On the 8th of January, 1782, Dr. Page wrote to Lieutenant Gover- nor Payne that he had requested liberty to return home; but whether he should be able to obtain it, was uncertain. He deplored the difficul- ties existing, and declared, that no man wished to prevent them more than he did ; and commented unfavorably on the course of New-Hamp- shire in preparing to send a military force, of which he had received an exaggerated account, for the subjugation of the inhabitants in the west- ern part of the State. He asserted, that the adoption of such a measure would prove equally distressing to both parties, and that the contentions arising out of it, would ruin society. He says, " I have mentioned to some of the Assembly, that if the matter could be put off until a final determination of Congress could be obtained, the difficulties might sub- side, as the resolution New-Hampshire depends on is not final nor suffi- cient to dissolve the engagements we are under to Vermont. * I wish that feelings of humanity, and as much condescension as can be consistent with honor, might take place on both sides. I am sorry to find that all our conduct is misconstrued, and our proceedings misrepre- sented. Who would have thought, that after we, by our delegates, had informed Congress, that our situation was such, that we could not dis- solve the union with Vermont, and desired Congress to recognize the old limits of Vermont, and have the lines settled between the two states, agreeable to the mode prescribed by the articles of Confederation, for the settlements of disputes, of this nature,-I say, who could have thought, after all this, that it would have been said, we had renounced the Authority of Congress? And why Congress took up the matter and left it undetermined, and ordered the people to do what was not in their power is unaccountable."
General Enos, on his return from Exeter, informed General Bellows, that it was probable that Dr. Page would be allowed to return in a short time; and, further, he recommended to the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, sitting at Charlestown, to write the Honorable Assembly, or Com- mittee of Safety, and advise them to allow it so to be; supposing it would have a good effect in allaying the existing disturbances. General Bellows was of a different opinion, and so wrote to President Weare.
His letter was dated at Walpole, January 10th, 1782, and did not reach Exeter till after Dr. Page was released, so that it produced no ef- fect, as it possibly might otherwise have done, in deciding that transaction.
this State, setting forth the reasons for raising said armed force ; and that Wood- bury Langdon Esq., or some other delegate be immediately sent on to Congress to make a true representation of our present proceedings.
189
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
General Bellows disclaimed all unfriendly feeling to the Doctor, and based his advice on his opinion, that stringent measures, at that time, would be likely to produce the most desirable result. In this letter he states, that " Esq. Giles had been taken by Colonel Hale about ten days before, but was rescued, and that he was that day in pursuit of him again ; " in which connection the following unique and graphic letter of Colonel Hale can scarcely fail to be of interest :
Colonel Hale to President Weare.
WALPOLE, January ye 11th, 1782.
SIR :
I once more venture to trouble your Hon'r with a few lines, as I think it my duty to give the Earliest Intilligence in my Power of the Conduct of the People in our unhappy County. Sir, as General Bellows has Rote I shall Omit many things that I should otherwise have mentioned. Could only wish to mention the perticular circumstances of Esq. Giles being Resqued from me a second time-and to give the True Character of the Inhabitants of the Town of Charlestown, where we are under the disagreeable necessity of Holding Two Courts in a year without the least help from them or any Town in that Quarter, Respecting juriors, &c.,- and have to undergo the further mortification of well know Combina- tions Consulting the over-through of our Courts and the Imprisonment of the officers of the same-but any further on that head I forbear.
Sir, I have had great opportunity of hearing the People in that Part of the County finding fault with Every movement of our General As- sembly-when they thought the Militia was coming up, they said, why should the People all suffer for the Rash Conduct of some of there Civ- il officers, and seamed to condem the measure they had taken-but when the Assembly seamed to comply with their own wishes, they must still find fault and said, why do they make night work of it-let them com like men by day light and they would not met any difficulty-but still I find that what don't sute the will Can Never sute there hand- it hap- ened on the Tenth instant that I took Esquire Giles about Twelve miles up the River, and Brought him down to Charlestown in open day light and on my arrival, just at Evening, the People Collected and arrested him out of my hands in a most Extroydinary manner, and all deaf to my Commands for assistance, Notwithstanding many were Present that had been our pretended friends-they soon after held a Consultation for taking me and carrying me to Bennington, but fearing that would not so well sute they sent there Judas to advise me, as a friend, to make my
190
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
escape immediately, to avoid going to Bennington. I gave for answer, that if that was there intention I would Tarry all Night, But in the morning I had a second message, that they would be ready for me in half an hower. I gave for answer that that would be time enough for me to take breakfast which I then called for, and after breakfast I had a third message, that if I did not make my Escape they would Catch me before I got three miles, for which he should be very sorry. I gave for answer, that I should have the Less way to com back-but if I was not molested I meant to set out for home soon-but finding that all these strategies would not Prevent my Taking breakfast and leaving Town in an open and Public manner, they then Rallied all there force that was Near at hand to the amount of about forty men and a Pretended Dep'ty Sheriff at there head, but for a front Gard they Raised some of there most abelest women and sent forward with some men dressed in woman's appareil, which had the Good luck to Take me Prisoner-Put me aboard one of there Slays and filled the same with some of ther Principal wo- men and drove off nine miles to Willan Tavern, in Walpole; the main body following after with acclimations of Joy, where they Regailed themselves and then set me at liberty, nothing doubting but that they had intirely subdued New-Hampshire.
Sir, you Pardon me for Righting this Extroydinary letter. I should not have don it, had I not been desirous that Plain facts of there Con- duct might be known. Som go in fear, and all Good subjects of New- Hampshire Grone under ther burthen-it has become a serious matter and a Remedy much wanted-and in full belief that the wisdom of the General assembly will be sufficient to direct them I Rest assured and Remain your Honors most Obedient and most Humble Servant,
Hon'ble Mesech Weare, Esq'r.
ENOCH HALE.
After writing the above extraordinary letter, the Colonel, it appears, pursued his way from Walpole to Marlborough, from which place he again wrote to President Weare.
MARLBOROUGH, January ye 12th, 1782.
SIR :
I am now returning home to see my family which I have not seen since the 26th of Nov'r. I may Not Expect to Tarry long with them, as the outrages in our unhapy County increase with so much rapidity. I am willing, however, to spend the remaining Part of the winter in the Servis of my Country, if I might be able in any degree to Relieve the
191
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
distressed among us. Sir, I had forgott in my letter of the 11th instant to inform your Hon'r that I never received any order from the Hon'ble Committee of Safety, as mentioned in the acts of the General assembly of the Twenty Eighth of November, last Past, which has been a great hindrance in my progress ; for after outrages had been committed I might have secured several of the Perpitrators of the same had all our good subjects been fully Convinced that my authority had been suffi- cient, which I think would had a very great Tendency to check those that have been so son of Resque in Prisoners.
I am sir, with much Respect your Honour's most obed't Humble Servant,
ENOCH HALE.
Hon'ble Meshech Weare, Esq'r.
Colonel Hale had informed the people of Charlestown, as he tells us, in his letter of the 11th of January "That if he was not molested he intended to start for home soon." His return to his family was not therefore the result of any agreement with those who had given him his involuntary ride from Charlestown to Wellan Tavern, but was only the carrying out of a plan previously formed. It does not appear that he made any arrangement, as a purchase of his release, from those who " had the luck to take him prisoner," compromising in any de- gree his future action. Nor is there reason to believe that any prom- ise was sought from him by his captors which would bind him from discharging subsequently the full duties of his office. He would prob- ably have made no such promise and it was not asked of him.
On the 5th of January the committee of both houses in the New- Hampshire Assembly appointed to take into consideration what should be done for the support of the civil authority in the county of Cheshire made the following report which was accepted.
" That an armed force be immediately raised and sent into the wes- tern part of this State for the defense and protection of the inhab- itants there, and to enable the civil officers to exercise their authority in that quarter. That the said armed force consist of one thousand men including officers. That a proclamation be issued and forwarded to the several towns and places in the western parts of this State, set- ting forth the reasons for raising said armed force, and that Woodbury Langdon or some other delegate be immediately sent on to Congress to make a true representation of our present proceedings."
On the 10th of January the following report of the committee on
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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
proportioning the men to be sent to the western part of the State was accepted.
"That the men already voted for that service shall be raised by draught or otherwise out of the following regiments, (viz.) Colonel Wentworth's, Colonel Evan's, Colonel Moulton's, Colonel Gilman's, Colonel Gale's, Colonel Mc Clary's Colonel Stickney's, Colonel John Webster's, Colonel Bell's, Colonel Lovewell's, Colonel Kelley's, Col- onel Enoch Hale's, to be apportioned, by the Major General of the Militia, according to the numbers in each Regiment, including the alarm list ; that they be formed into two Regiments, each Regiment to be commanded by two Field officers (viz.,) one Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel and one Major; that each Regiment consist of six compa- nies to be commanded by one Captain, one Lieutenant, and one En- sign, and a suitable proportion of non-commissioned officers ; that the whole be commanded by a General officer ; that a suitable person be appointed to purchase or collect provisions for the supply of the troops, and that those towns in the westerly part of the (State) that shall supply any provisions, shall be allowed for the same out of their out-standing taxes, or the tax for the current year ; that the pay and rations be the same as are allowed the officers and soldiers in the ser- vice of the United States.
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