USA > New Hampshire > The history of New-Hampshire. Comprehending the events of one complete century and seventy-five years from the discovery of the River Pascataqua to the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety, Vol 2 > Part 17
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June 6.
The fpirit of the Virginian refolves, like an electric fpark, diffufed itfelf inftantly and univerfally ; and the cautious propofal of Maffachufetts was generally approved. The anxious mind, refting on the bold affertion of conftitutional rights, looked forward with pleafure, to the time when an American Con- grefs would unite in a fuccefsful defence of them. The title 'Sons of liberty,' was ea-
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gerly adopted by affociations in every Colony; determining to carry into execution the pre- diction of him, who with fuch noble energy, had efpoufed the caufe of our freedom. They began the oppofition at Bofton ; by publicly exhibiting effigies of the enemies of America, and obliging the tamp-officer to refign his employment. The popular commotions in that town were afterward carried to an un- juftifiable excefs ; but the fpirit of oppofi- tion animated the body of the people in every Colony.
The perfon appointed diftributor of ftamps for New-Hampfhire, was George Mefferve, fon of the late Colonel, who died at Louif- bourg. He received his appointment in Eng- land, and foon after embarked for America, and arrived at Bofton. Before he landed, he Sept. 9. was informed of the oppofition which was making to the act ; and that it would be ac- ceptable to the people if he would refign, which he readily did, and they welcomed him on fhore. An exhibition of effigies at Sept. 12. Portfmouth had prepared the minds of the people there for his reception ; and at his Sept. 18. coming to town he made a fecond refignation, on the parade, before he went to his own houfe. This was accepted with the ufual falutation ; and every one appeared to be fat- Sept. 30; isfied with the fuccefs of the popular meaf- ures. Soon after, the ftamped paper deftined for New-Hampfhire arrived at Bofton in the fame veffel with that intended for Maffachu- fetts ; but there being no perfon in either Province who had any concern with it, it was, by order of Governor Bernard, lodged in the caftle.
1765.
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The ftamp-act was to commence its ope- ration on the firft day of November ; pre- vioufly to which the appointed Congrefs was formed at New-York, confifting of delegates from the Affemblies of Maffachufetts, Rhode- Ifland, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jerfey, Pennfylvania, the Delaware Counties, Mary- land and South-Carolina. Having, like the Congrefs at Albany in 1754, formed them- felves in geographical order ; they framed a bill of rights, for the Colonies ; in which the fole power of taxation was declared to be in their own affemblies. They prepared three diftinct addreffes to the King, Lords and Commons, ftating their grievances, and afk- ing for redrefs. Thefe were fubfcribed by the delegates of fix colonies ; the others who were prefent were not empowered to fign ; but reported their proceedings to their con- ftituents, who approved them in Affembly, and forwarded their petitions. No delegates went from New-Hampfhire to this Congrefs; but the Affembly at their next meeting adopt- ed the fame meafures, and fent fimilar peti- tions to England, which they committed to Barlow Trecothick, their agent, and John Wentworth, a young gentleman of Portf- mouth, who was then in England, to be by them prefented to the King and Parliament. Thefe meafures were the moft refpectful and prudent which could be devifed ; and were attended with fome profpeet of fuccefs from a change which had been made in the Britifh miniftry.
Affembly Records.
In the mean time, the newfpapers were fill- ed with effays, in which every plea for and againft the new duties was amply difcuffed.
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Thefe vehicles of intelligence were doomed 1765. to be loaded with a ftamp ; and the printers felt themfelves interefted in the oppofition. On the laft day of October, the New-Hamp- fhire Gazette appeared with a mourning bor- der. A body of people from the country approached the town of Portfmouth, under an apprehenfion that the ftamps would be dif- tributed ; but being met, by a number from the town, and affured that no fuch thing was intended, they quietly returned. The next day, the bells tolled, and a funeral proceflion was made for the Goddefs of Liberty ; but Nov. I. on depofiting her in the grave, fome figns of life were fuppofed to be difcovered, and the was carried off in triumph. By fuch exhibi- tions, the fpirit of the populace was kept up ; though the minds of the moft thoughtful perfons were filled with anxiety.
It was doubtful, whether the Courts of Law could proceed without ftamps ; and it was certain that none could be procured. Some licentious perfons began to think that debts could not be recovered, and that they might infult their creditors with impunity. On the firft appearance of this diforderly fpir- it, affociations were formed at Portfmouth, Exeter and other places, to fupport the Ma- giftrates and preferve the peace. The fifth of November had always been obferved as a day of hilarity, in remembrance of the pow- der-plot. On the following night, a ftrong guard was kept in Portfmouth. By thefe precautions, the tendency to riot was feafon- ably checked, and no wafte of property or perfonal infult was committed ; though fome obnoxious characters began to tremble for their fafety.
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Jan. 9.
1765. 1 When Mefferve arrived, the people fup- pofed that he had brought his commiffion with him, and were content that it fhould remain in his own hands, being rendered void by his refignation. But, in fact, he did not receive it till after the time fixed for the operation of the act. Having fhown his in- ftructions to the Governor, and fome other public officers, it was fufpected that he intend- ed ' to commence the execution of his office.' "The fons of liberty were alarmed ; they af- fembled by beat of drum, and obliged him publicly to deliver up his commiffion and inftructions ; which they mounted on the point of a fword, and carried in triumph through the town. An oath was adminif- tered to him by Juftice Claget, purporting that he would neither directly nor indirectly attempt to execute his office. The mafter of a fhip, then ready to fail for England, was alfo fworn to deliver the packet containing the commniffion and inftructions, as it was directed. It was firft addreffed to the com- miffioners of the ftamp-office in London ; but afterward it was enclofed in a letter to the agents of the Province, refering the dif- pofal of it to their difcretion. It happened to arrive, when great exertions were making, and a ftrong probability exifted, of the repeal of the ftamp-act. The agents therefore con- cealed the packet, and had the good fortune to fupprefs the intelligence of all thefe pro- ceedings ; that no irritation might enfue to prevent the expected repeal.
During all thefe commotions, Governor Wentworth was filent. The miniftry, either by accident or defign, had neglected to fend
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authentic copies of the ftamp-act, to fome of 1766. the American Covernors, and to him among others. There had been no tumults, which rendered his interpofition neceffary. He was in the decline of life, and his health was much impaired. His fortune was made, and it lay chiefly in his native country. One of the reafons given, for the removal of his prede- ceffor, was, that he had enjoyed his office ten years ; Mr. Wentworth had been twenty-five years in the chair, and expected foon to be fuperfeded. It was therefore his intereft, not to put himfelf forward in fupport of unpop- ular meafures. His example was followed by moft of the gentlemen in the Province, who held offices under the Crown. If any of them were fecretly in favor of the act, they were reftrained by fear, from contradicting openly the voice of the people.
The popular fpirit was fufficiently roufed to join in any meafures which might be ne- ceffary for the defence of liberty. All fear of the confequence of proceeding in the pub- lic bufinefs without ftamps, was gradually laid afide. The courts of law, and cuftom houfes were kept open. Newfpapers circu- lated, and lincenfes for marriage, without ftamps, were publicly advertifed. As it was uncertain, what might be the event of the petitions to the King and Parliament, it was thought beft, to awaken the attention of the merchants and manufacturers of England, by an agreement to import no goods, until the ftamp-act fhould be repealed. To provide for the worft, an affociation was formed by the ' fons of liberty' in all the northern Colo- nies, to ftand by each other, and unite their
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MS. letters of the fons of liberty.
1766. whole force, for the protection and relief of any who might be in danger, from the oper- ation of this, or any other oppreffive act. The letters which paffed between them, on this occafion, are replete with expreffions of loyalty and affection to the King, his perfon, family and authority. Had there been any difaffection to the royal government, or de- fire to fhake off our allegiance, where would the evidence of it be more likely to be found, than in letters which paffed between bodies of men, who were avowedly endeavouring, to form an union, to refift the ufurped au- thority of the Britifh Lords and Commons ?*
The idea which we entertained of our po- litical connexion with the Britifh empire, was, that the King was its fupreme head ; that every branch of it was a perfect State, com- petent to its own internal legiflation, but fub- ject to the control and negative of the fove- reign ; that taxation and reprefentation were correlative, and therefore that no part of the empire could be taxed, but by its own Rep- refentatives in Affembly. From a regard to the general intereft, it was conceded, that the Parliament of Great-Britain, reprefenting the firft and moft powerful branch of the em- pire, might regulate the exterior commerce of the whole. In Britain, the American gov- ernments were confidered as corporations, ex- ifting by the pleafure of the King and Par- liament, who had a right to alter or diffolve
* From an intimate acquaintance with many perfons, of all ranks, who were inftrumental of conducting the American revolution, through all its flages; and from a perufal of many of their confidential letters ; the an- thor of thefe theets is fully fatisfied, that the public profffions of loyalty. made by his countrymen, were fincere ; and that the molt determined op- pofers of the claims of Parliament, were very far from defiring a difunion of the British empire, till they were driven to it by neccffity.
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them. Our laws were deemed bye-laws ; 1766. and we were fuppofed to be, in all cafes of le- giflation and taxation, fubject to the fupreme, undefined power of the Britifh Parliament. Between claims fo widely different, there was no arbitrator to decide. Temporary expedi- ents, if wifely applied, might have preferved peace ; but the moft delicate and judicious management was neceffary, to prevent irrita- tion.
When the commotions which had happen- ed in America, were known in England, a circular letter was written to the feveral gov- ernors, by Secretary Conway, in which it was Oct 24; ' hoped that the refiftance to the authority of 1765. ' the mother country, had only found place ' among the lower and more ignorant of the ' people.' To the conftitutional authority (as we underftood it) of the King and Parlia- ment, there had been no refiftance ; but to the affumed authority, of our fellow fubjects in Britain, over our property, the refiftance began, and was fupported by the Reprefen- tatives of of the people, in their Affemblies. Thofe who appeared under the name of 'the fons of liberty' were chiefly tradefmen of reputation, who were occafionally affifted by lawyers, clergymen, and other perfons of lit- erary abilities. The writings of Sydney and Locke were produced, in evidence of the juf- tice of our claims ; and the arguments which had formerly been ufed in England, againft the ufurpations of the houfe of Stuart, were adopted and repeated by us, in favor of our rights and liberties. Political inquiries were encouraged, and the eyes of the people were opened. Never was a fentiment more gener-
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1766. ally adopted, on the fulleft conviction, than that we could be conftitutionally taxed by none but our own Reprefentatives ; and that all affumption of this power, by any other body of men, was ufurpation which might be lawfully refifted.
March 18.
The petitions of the American Affemblies, enforced by the agreement for non-importa- tion, and aided by the exertions of the Brit- ifh merchants and manufacturers, induced the new miniftry to recommend to Parlia- ment, a repeal of the odious ftamp-act. It was accordingly repealed ; not on the true principle of its repugnancy to the rights of America ; but on that of political expedien- cy. Even on this principle, the repeal could be obtained by no other means ; than by paffing, at the fame time, a declaratory act, af- ferting the right and power, of the Britifh Parliament, 'to bind America, in all cafes ' whatfoever,' and annulling all the refolu- tions of our Affemblies, in which they had claimed the right of exemption from Parlia- mentary taxation.
The rejoicings which were occafioned by the repeal of the ftamp-act, in this country, were extravagantly difproportioned to the ob- ject. We felt a tranfient relief from an in- tolerable burden ; but the claim of fovereign power, in our fellow fubjects, to take our property, and abridge our liberty at their pleafure, was eftablifhed by law. Our only hope was, that they would profit by their re- cent experience ; and whilft they enjoyed the pride of feeing their claim exift on paper, would fufpend the exercife of it in future.
With the repealing and declaratory acts, a
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circular letter came from Secretary Conway ; in which, 'the lenity and tendernefs, the 'moderation and forbearance of the Parlia- 'inent toward the Colonies' were celebrated in the language of panegyric, and we were called upon, to fhow our 'refpectful gratitude ' and cheerful obedience,' in return for fuch a ' fignal difplay of indulgence and affection.' This letter enclofed a refolution of Parlia- ment, that thofe perfons who had 'fuffered 'any injury or damage,' in confequence of their affifting to 'execute the late act, ought ' to be compenfated, by the Colonies, in which ' fuch injuries were fuftained.'
When Governor Wentworth laid this let- ter before the Affembly, he told them ' with ' pleafure and fatisfaction, that he had no re- ' quifition of this kind to make.' Mefferve, however, applied to the Affembly to grant him a compenfation for the injuries which he faid he had fuffered. A committee, being ap- pointed to inquire into the ground of his petition, reported, ' that he had fuffered no ' real damage either in perfon or property ; ' but that when any danger had been expect- 'ed, guards had been appointed to protect ' him.' Upon this report, his petition was difmiffed. He afterward went to England and obtained the office of Collector of the Cuftoms.
At this feffion the affembly prepared a ref- pectful addrefs to the King and both Houfes of Parliament, on account of the repeal ; which was fent to England, at the fame time that the ftamped paper and parchment, which had been depofited at the caftle in Bofton, were returned.
1766.
June 4g.
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N. Hamp- fhire Gaz. Aug. 29, 1764.
Complaints had been made in England- againft fome of the American Governors, and other public officers, that exorbitant fees had been taken for the paffing of patents for land ; and a proclamation had been iffued by the Crown and publifhed in the Colonies, threat- ning fuch perfons with a removal from of- fice. Governor Wentworth was involved in this charge. He had alfo been accufed of negligence in correfponding with the King's minifters ; of informality and want of ac- curacy in his grants of land ; and of paffing acts of Affembly refpecting private property, without a fufpending claufe 'till his Majef- ' ty's pleafure could be known.' In his of- fice of Surveyor-General he had been char- ged with neglect of duty, and with indulging his deputies in felling and wafting the King's timber. By whom thefe complaints were made, and by what evidence they were fup- ported, I have not been able to difcover. Certain it 'is, that fuch an impreffion was made on the minds of the minintry, that a refolution was taken to remove him ; but the difficulties attending the ftamp-act, caufed a delay in the appointment of a fucceffor. When the ferment had fubfided, the atten- tion of the miniftry was turned to this ob- ject. ,JOHN WENTWORTH, fon of Mark Hunking Wentworth, and nephew of the Governor, was then in England. He had ap- peared at Court, as a joint agent with Mr. Trecothick in prefenting the petition of the Province againft the ftamp-act. He had be- come acquainted with feveral families of high rank and of his own name in Yorkfhire, and in particular with the Marquis of Rocking-
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ham, then at the head of the miniftry. By 1766. his indulgence, Mr. Wentworth prevailed to foften the rigor of government againft his uncle. Inftead of being cenfured and re- moved from office, he was allowed opportu- nity to refign, and the appearance of refign- ing in favor of his nephew, who was deftined by the Marquis, to be his fucceffor. Having received his commiffions, as Governor of Auguft IL, New-Hampshire, and Surveyor of the King's woods in North-America, Mr. Wentworth failed from England, and arrived at Charlef- 1767. March. town, in South-Carolina. Thence he travel- led through the continent, regiftering his commiffion of Surveyor in each of the Colo- nies, and was received at. Portfmouth, with every mark of refpect and affection. This appointment, made by a popular miniftry, was June 13. peculiarly grateful to the people of New- Hampfhire, by whom Mr. Wentworth was well known and much efteemed.
In addition to what had been faid, of the fuperfeded Governor, it may be obferved ; that his natural abilities were neither brilliant nor contemptible. As a private gentleman he was obliging, and as a merchant honora- ble. He was generous and hofpitable to his friends ; but his paffions were ftrong and his refentments lafting. He was fubject to fre- quent and long continued vifits of the gout ; a diftemper rather unfriendly to the virtue of patience. In his deportment there was an ap- pearance of haughtinefs, contracted by his refidence in Spain, where he learned the man- ners of the people of rank ; as well as the maxims of their government. He thought it beft that the higheft offices, fhould be fill-
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1767. ed with men of property ; and though in fome inftances he deviated from this princi- ple, yet, in others, he adhered to it fo clofely, as to difregard more neceffary qualifications.
In the former part of his adminiftration, he was fcrupulous in obeying his inftructions, and inflexible in maintaining the prerogative. In conducting the operations of two fuccef- five wars, his attention to the fervice was very confpicuous ; and he frequently received let- ters of thanks, from the Generals, and other officers of the Britifh troops employed in America.
He was clofely attached to the intereft of the church of England ; and in his grants of townfhips, referved a right for the fociety for propagating the gofpel, of which he was a member. A project was formed during his adminiftration, to eftablifh a college in New- Hampfhire. When he was applied to for a charter, he declined giving it, unlefs the col- lege were put under the direction of the Bifhop of London. But, when a grant was made by the Affembly, of three hundred pounds fterling, to Harvard College, where he had received his education, to repair the deftruction which it had fuffered by fire; he confented to the vote, and his name is infcrib- ed on an alcove of the library, as a benefac- tor, in conjunction with the name of the Province.
In his appointment of civil and military officers, he was frequently governed by mo- tives of favor, or prejudice to particular per- fons. When he came to the chair he found but twenty-five Juftices of the Peace in the whole province ; but in the firft commiffion
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which he iffued, he nominated as many in 1767. the town of Portfmouth only. In the latter part of his time, appointments of this kind became fo numerous, and were fo eafily pro- cured, that the office was rendered contemp- tible .*
Notwithftanding fome inftances, in which
* The following pafquinade was publifhed in the Portfmouth Mercury of October 7, 1765. It was fuppofed to have been written by the late Judge Parker, and was intitled
THE SILVER AGE. In days of yore, and pious times,
Great care was had to punifh crimes ;
When confervators pacis fought
To keep good order as they ought.
This office then, was no great booty,
Small were the fees, though great the duty.
But when a law, the old reftriction
D.ck'd-and enlarg'd the jurifdiction ;
His Worfhip had a right to hold,
In civil plea, a pound twice told.
The poft was then thought worth poffeffing,
For 'twas attended with a blefling.
But ftill, in after times it grew Much better, as our tale will fhew ;
When, as it goes by common fame,
Two pounds and forty were the fame. [By depreciation]
Then civil fuite began to thrive,
And claims grown obfolete revive.
But when their Worthips, manifold,
Like men divinely blefs'd of old,
Were bid ' t'increafe and multiply,'
Oblequicus rofe a num'rous fry,
Who, ever prompt, and nigh at hand,
Could fcatter juftice through the land-
Then, with important air and look,
The fons of Littleton and Coke
Swarming appear'd, to mind the Squires ; What honors fuch a poft requires !
Thefe fkilful clerks, always attending,
Help'd to difpatch all matters pending ;
Took care that judgment ( as it fhould)
Wasrender'd for the man that fued ; Aided their honors to indite, And Jign'd for those who could not zurite.
Who but muft think thefe, happy times,
When men, adroit to punith crimes
Were clofe at hand ? and what is better,
Made every little tardy debtor Fulfil his contract, and to boot,
Pay twice his debt in cofts of fuic. This was the happy filver age When magiftrates, profoundly fage, O'erfpread the land ; and made, it fecme.
. Jnftice run down the ftrects in ftreams.
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1767. a want of magnanimity was too confpicuous, his adminiftration was, in other refpects, ben- eficial. Though he was highly cenfured, for granting the beft lands of the Province to the people of Maffachufetts and Connecticut, with views of pecuniary reward; yet, the true intereft of the country was certainly promoted ; becaufe the grantees in general, were better hufbandmen than the people of New-Hampfhire.
In thofe cafes, where diffatisfaction appear- ed, it was chiefly owing to the nature of a royal government, in which the ariftocratic feature was prominent, and the democratic too much depreffed. The people of New- Hampfhire, though increafing in numbers, had not the privilege of an equal reprefenta- tion. The aim of moft of thofe gentlemen, who received their appointments from abroad, was rather to pleafe their mafters, and fecure the emoluments of their offices, than to ex- tend benefits to the people, or condefcend to their prejudices. They did not feel their de- pendence on them, as the fource of power ; nor their refponfibility to them for its exer- cife. And, the people themfelves had not that juft idea of their own weight and im- portance, which they acquired, when the controverfy with the Britifh government call- ed up their attention to their native rights.
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CHAP. XXIV.
Administration of JOHN WENTWORTH the Second. New attempt to force a revenue from America. Eftablifbment of Dartmouth College. Divifion of the province into Counties. Death of BENNING WANTWORTH. Complaint of PRTER LIVIUS againft the Governor. Its igue. Progress of the controverfy with Great Britain. ' War. Diffolution of British government in New Hampshire.
THE genius genius, as well as the intereft of the new Governor, led him to cultivate the good will of the people. He was grand- fon, by his mother, to the the late agent John Rindge, who had been inftrumental of eftab- lifhing the boundaries of the Province, and had advanced a large fum for that purpofe. His family, who had long complained of in- gratitude and neglect, were now amply grat- ified, not only by the advancement of the new Governor, but by his recommending feveral other gentlemen, who were connect- ed with it, to fill vacant feats at the Council board, and other offices of government. Sev- eral gentlemen of other refpectable families, who had been treated with neglect, in the preceding adminiftration, were alfo taken in- to favor ; and a fpirit of conciliation, among thofe who had formerly been at variance, feemed to mark the beginning of this admin- iftration with fair omens of peace and fuccefs.
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