USA > New Hampshire > The history of New-Hampshire > Part 43
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The popular spirit was sufficiently roused to join in any meas- ures which might be necessary for the defence of liberty. All fear of the consequence of proceeding in the public business with- out stamps, was gradually laid aside. The courts of law, and custom houses were kept open. Newspapers circulated, and
* [Wyseman Clagett, who then resided at Portsmouth. He was born and educated in England, and admitted a barrister at law in the court of the king's bench. He came soon after to this country ; was admitted to the bar of the superior court of New-Hampshire, and was some time the king's attorney general ; was one of the council in the time of the revolution, and a represen- tative in the general court from Litchfield, where he died 4 December, 1784, aged 63 years and 4 months. A valuable memoir of this gentleman, written by the Hon. Charles H. Atherton, of Amherst, is among the files of the N. H. Mist. Society.]
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1766.]
licenses for marriage, without stamps, were publicly advertised. As it was uncertain, what might be the event of the petitions to the king and parliament, it was thought best, to awaken the atten- tion of the merchants and manufacturers of England, by an agree- ment to import no goods, until the stamp-act should be repealed. To provide for the worst, an association was formed by the ' sons of liberty' in all the northern colonies, to stand by each other, and unite their whole force, for the protection and relief of any who might be in danger, from the operation of this, or any other op- pressive act. The letters which passed between them, on this occasion, are replete with expressions of loyalty and affection to the king, his person, family and authority.1 Had there been any disaffection to the royal government, or desire to shake off our allegiance, where would the evidence of it be more likely to be found, than in letters which passed between bodies of men, who were avowedly endeavoring, to form a union, to resist the usurped authority of the British lords and commons ?*
The idea which we entertained of our political connexion with the British empire, was, that the king was its supreme head ; that every branch of it was a perfect state, competent to its own inter- nal legislation, but subject to the control and negative of the sove- reign ; that taxation and representation were correlative, and therefore, that no part of the empire could be taxed, but by its own representatives in assembly. From a regard to the general interest, it was conceded, that the parliament of Great-Britain, representing the first and most powerful branch of the empire, might regulate the exterior commerce of the whole. In Britain, the American governments were considered as corporations, ex- isting by the pleasure of the king and parliament, who had a right to alter or dissolve them. Our laws were deemed by-laws ; and we were supposed to be, in all cases of legislation and taxation, subject to the supreme, undefined power of the British parliament. Between claims so widely different, there was no arbitrator to decide. Temporary expedients, if wisely applied, might have preserved peace ; but the most delicate and judicious manage- ment was necessary, to prevent irritation.
When the commotions which had happened in America, were known in England, a circular letter was written to the several governors, by Secretary Conway, in which it was ' hoped that ' the resistance to the authority of the mother country, had only
(1) MS. letters of the sons of liberty. (2) October 24, 1765.
* From an intimate acquaintance with many persons, of all ranks, who were instrumental of conducting the American revolution, through all its stages ; and from a perusal of many of their confidential letters ; the author of these sheets is fully satisfied, that the public professions of loyalty, made by his countrymen, were sincere ; and that the most determined opposers of the claims of parliament, were very far from desiring a disunion of the Britisha empire, till they were driven to it by necessity.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. [1766.
' found place among the lower and more ignorant of the people.' To the constitutional authority (as we understood it) of the king and parliament, there had been no resistance ; but to the assumed authority, of our fellow subjects in Britain, over our property, the resistance began, and was supported by the representatives of the people, in their assemblies. Those who appeared under the name of ' the sons of liberty' were chiefly tradesmen of reputa- tion, who were occasionally assisted by lawyers, clergymen, and other persons of literary abilities. The writings of Sidney and Locke were produced, in evidence of the justice of our claims ; and the arguments which had formerly been used in England, against the usurpations of the house 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 open- ed. Never was a sentiment more generally adopted, on the full- est conviction, than that we could be constitutionally taxed by none but our own representatives ; and that all assumption of this power, by any other body of men, was usurpation which might be lawfully resisted.
The petitions of the American assemblies, enforced by the agreement for non-importation, and aided by the exertions of the British merchants and manufacturers, induced the new ministry to recommend to parliament, a repeal of the odious stamp-act. Mar. 18. It was accordingly repealed ; not on the true principle of its repugnancy to the rights of America ; but on that of political expediency. Even on this principle, the repeal could be obtained by no other means ; than by passing, at the same time, a declaratory act, asserting the right and power, of the British parliament, ' to bind America, in all cases whatsoever,' and an- nulling all the resolutions of our assemblies, in which they had claimed the right of exemption from parliamentary taxation.
The rejoicings which were occasioned by the repeal of the stamp-act, in this country, were extravagantly disproportioned to the object. We felt a transient relief from an intolerable burden ; but the claim of sovereign power, in our fellow subjects, to take our property, and abridge our liberty at their pleasure, was es- tablished by law. Our only hope was, that they would profit by their recent experience ; and whilst they enjoyed the pride of seeing their claim exist on paper, would suspend the exercise of it in future.
With the repealing and declaratory acts, a circular letter came from Secretary Conway ; in which, 'the lenity and tenderness, ' the moderation and forbearance of the parliament toward the ' colonies' were celebrated in the language of panegyric, and we were called upon, to show our 'respectful gratitude and cheerful obedience,' in return for such a ' signal display of indulgence and
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PROVINCE. BENNING WENTWORTII.
1766.]
' affection.' This letter enclosed a resolution of parliament, that those persons who had ' suffered any injury or damage,' in con- sequence of their assisting to ' execute the late act, ought to be ' compensated by the colonies, in which such injuries were sus- ' tained.'
When Governor Wentworth laid this letter before the assembly, he told them 'with pleasure and satisfaction, that he had June 25. ' no requisition of this kind to make.' Meserve, however, applied to the assembly to grant him a compensation for the in- juries which he said he had suffered. A committee, being ap- pointed to inquire into the ground of his petition, reported, ' that ' he had suffered no real damage either in person or property ; ' but that when any danger had been expected, guards had been ' appointed to protect him.' Upon this report, his petition was dismissed. He afterwards went to England and obtained the of- fice of collector of the customs.
At this session the assembly prepared a respectful address to the king and both houses of parliament, on account of the repeal ; which was sent to England, at the same time that the stamped paper and parchment, which had been deposited at the castle in Boston, were returned.
Complaints had been made in England against some of the American governors, and other public officers, that exorbitant fees had been taken for the passing of patents for land ; and a proclamation had been issued by the crown and published in the colonies, threatening such persons with a removal from office. 1 Governor Wentworth was involved in this charge. He had also been accused of negligence in corresponding with the king's ministers; of informality and want of accuracy in his grants of land ; and of passing acts of assembly respecting private proper- ty, without a suspending clause ' till his majesty's pleasure could ' be known.'. In his office of surveyor-general, he had been charged with neglect of duty, and with indulging his deputies in selling and wasting the king's timber. By whom these complaints were made, and by what evidence they were supported, I have not been able to discover. Certain it is, that such an impression was made on the minds of the ministry, that a resolution was taken to remove him ; but the difficulties attending the stamp-act, caused a delay in the appointment of a successor. When the ferment had subsided, the attention of the ministry was turned to this object. John Wentworth, son 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 present- ing the petition of the province against the stamp-act. He had become acquainted with several families of high rank and of his own name in Yorkshire, and in particular, with the marquis of
(1) New-Hampshire Gazette, Aug. 29, 1764.
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HISTORY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. [1766.
Rockingham, then at the head of the ministry. By his indul- gence, Mr. Wentworth prevailed to soften the rigor of government against his uncle. Instead of being censured and removed from office, he was allowed opportunity to resign, and the appearance of resigning in favor of his nephew, who was destined by the mar- Aug. 11. quis, to be his successor. Having received his commissions, as governor of New-Hampshire, and surveyor of the king's woods in North-America, Mr. Wentworth sailed from
1767.
March. England, and arrived at Charlestown, in South-Carolina. Thence he travelled through the continent, registering his commission of surveyor in each of the colonies, and was received at Portsmouth, with every mark of respect and affection.
June 13. This appointment, made by a popular ministry, was pe- culiarly grateful to the people of New-Hampshire, by whom Mr. Wentworth was well known and much esteemed.
In addition to what has been said, of the superseded governor, it may be observed; that his natural abilities were neither brilliant nor contemptible. As a private gentleman, he was obliging, and as a merchant, honorable. He was generous and hospitable to his friends ; but his passions were strong and his resentments lasting. He was subject to frequent and long continued visits of the gout ; a distemper rather unfriendly to the virtue of patience. In his deportment, there was an appearance of haughtiness, con- tracted by his residence in Spain, where he learned the manners of the people of rank ; as well as the maxims of their government. He thought it best that the highest offices, should be filled with men of property ; and though in some instances he deviated from this principle, yet, in others, he adhered to it so closely, as to disregard more necessary qualifications .*
In the former part of his administration, he was scrupulous in obeying his instructions, and inflexible in maintaining the prerog- ative. In conducting the operations of two successive wars, his attention to the service was very conspicuous ; and he frequently received letters of thanks, from the generals, and other officers of the British troops employed in America.
* [Mr. Adams in his Annals of Portsmouth, p. 230, says, “ It has been ob- jected against him, that all the important offices in the government, were fill- ed by his particular friends." A scrap found among Secretary Waldron's pa- pers, headed Family Government, seems to establish the fact, although the cause of it is not particularly assigned. The following is a copy of it :
" George Jaffrey, brother-in-law, president of the council, treasurer, chief justice and justice of the admiralty. Jotham Odiorne, brother married his grand daughter, second judge and justice. Henry Sherburne, cousin, &c. counsellor, &c. Theodore Atkinson, brother-in-law, secretary, chief justice of inferior court, &c. Richard Wibird, governor's brother married his sister, a counsellor. Ellis Huske, wife's brother married governor's sister, a coun- sellor. Samuel Solley, who married George Jaffrey's daughter, a counsellor. Thomas Packer, a brother-in-law, high sheriff. John Downing and Samuel Smith, counsellors, related by their cash. FRIENDS, Wiggin, justice and judge of probate, Clarkson, Gage, Wallingford, Gilman, Palmer,. Roby, Jen- ness, Odiorne, Walton and Stevens, justices."]
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PROVINCE. BENNING WENTWORTH.
1767.]
He was closely attached to the interest of the church of Eng- land; and in his grants of townships, reserved a right for the society for propagating the gospel of which he was a member. A project was formed during his administration, to establish a college in New-Hampshire. When he was applied to for a charter, he declined giving it, unless the college were put under the direction of the bishop of London. But, when a grant was made by the assembly, of three hundred pounds sterling, to Harvard college, where he had received his education, to repair the destruction which it had suffered by fire ; he consented to the vote, and his name is inscribed on an alcove of the library, as a benefactor, in conjunction with the name of the province.
In his appointment of civil and military officers, he was fre- quently governed by motives of favor, or prejudice to particular persons. When he came to the chair, he found but twenty-five justices of the peace in the whole province ; but in the first com- mission which he issued, he nominated as many in the town of Portsmouth only. In the latter part of his time, appointments of this kind became so numerous, and were so easily procured, that the office was rendered contemptible .*
* The following pasquinade was published in the Portsmouth Mercury of October 7, 1765. It was supposed to have been written by the late Judge Parker,t and was entitled
THE SILVER AGE. In days of yore, and pious times, Great care was had to punish crimes ; When conservators pacis sought To keep good order as they ought.
This office then, was no great booty, Small were the foes, though great tho duty.
But when a law, the old restriction Dock'd-and enlarg'd the jurisdiction ; His worship had a right to hold, In civil plea, a pound twice told. The post was then thought worth possessing, For 'twas attended with a blessing. But still, in after times it grew Much better, as our tale will shew ;
t [Judge William Parker was a native of Portsmouth, and was born 9 December, 1703. His father was William Parker, whose wife was Zerviah Stanley, daughter, as the late Nathaniel Adams, Esquire, of Portsmouth, in- formed me, of the Earl of Derby. The judge had not a liberal education, but received in 1763 the honorary degree of Master of Arts, " pro meritis suis." In his diploma, it is expressed, " licet non Academic instructum, Generosum, nihil ominus in rebus literariis seil : Classicis Philosophieis, &c. egregie eru- ditum." He pursued the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1732. He was esteemed as a well read and accurate lawyer. In August, 1771, he was appointed one of the justices of the superior court, which office he held until the revolution commenced. He died 29 April, 1781, aged 77. Adams, Annals Portsmouth, 272-274. Judge Parker left four sons, William of Exe- ter, who graduated at H. C. 1751, was a judge of the C. C. P. and register of probate, and died in 1811 ; John, sheriff of the province and marshal of the district of N. H. ; Samuel, who graduated at H. C. in 1764, was bishop of the Episcopal church and D. D., and died at Boston, 6 December, 1804, in his 60th year ; and Matthew Stanley, who settled in Wolfeborough.]
45
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HISTORY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. [1767.
Notwithstanding some instances, in which a want of magnanim- ity was too conspicuous, his administration was, in other respects, beneficial. Though he was highly censured, for granting the best lands of the province to the people of Massachusetts and Connecticut, with views of pecuniary reward ; yet, the true in- terest of the country was certainly promoted ; because the gran- tees in general, were better husbandmen than the people of New- Hampshire.
In those cases, where dissatisfaction appeared, it was chiefly owing to the nature of a royal government, in which the aristo- cratic feature was prominent, and the democratic too much de- pressed. The people of New-Hampshire, though increasing in numbers, had not the privilege of an equal representation. The aim of most of those gentlemen, who received their appointments from abroad, was rather to please their masters, and secure the emoluments of their offices, than to extend benefits to the people, or condescend to their prejudices. They did not feel their depend- ence on them, as the source of power ; nor their responsibility to them for its exercise. And, the people themselves had not that just idea of their own weight and importance, which they acquired, when the controversy with the British government called up their attention to their native rights .*
[By depreciation.]
When, as it goes by common fame, Two pounds and forty were the same. Then civil suits began to thrive, And claims grown obsolete revive. But when their worships, manifold, Like men divinely bless'd of old, Were bid ' t'increase and multiply,' Obsequious rose a num'rous fry, Who, ever prompt, and nigh at hand, Could scatter justice through the land. Then, with important air and look, The sons of Littleton and Coke Swarming appear'd, to mind the Squires ; What honors such a post requires ! These skilful clerks, always attending, Help'd to despatch all matters pending ; Took care that judgment (as it should) Was render'd for the man that sued ; Aided their honors to indite, And sign'd for those who could not write. Who but must think these, happy times, When men, adroit to punish crimes Were close at hand ? and what is better, Made every little tardy debtor Fulfil his contract, and to boot, Pay twice his debt in costs of suit. This was the happy silver age When magistrates, profoundly sage, O'erspread the land ; and made, it seems, ' Justice run down the streets in streams.'
* [1767. Chatham was incorporated.
1768. Seabrook, Meredith, Henniker, Salisbury, Mason and Rindge were incorporated.]
339
PROVINCE. JOHN WENTWORTH, 2d.
1767.]
CHAPTER XXIV.
Administration of John Wentworth the second. New attempt to force a revenue from America. Establishment of Dartmouth college. Division of the province into counties. Death of Benning Wentworth. Complaint of Peter Livius against the governor. Its issue. Progress of the contro- versy with Great Britain. War. Dissolution of British government in New-Hampshire.
THE genius, as well as the interest of the new governor, led him to cultivate the good will of the people. He was
1767.
grandson, by his mother, to the late agent John Rindge,
who had been instrumental of establishing the boundaries of the province, and had advanced a large sum for that purpose. His family, who had long complained of ingratitude and neglect, were now amply gratified, not only by the advancement of the new governor, but by his recommending several other gentlemen, who were connected with it, to fill vacant seats at the council board, and other offices of government. Several gentlemen of other respectable families, who had been treated with neglect, in the preceding administration, were also taken into favor; and a spirit of conciliation, among those who had formerly been at variance, seemed to mark the beginning of this administration with fair omens of peace and success.
Being in the prime of life, active and enterprising in his dispo- sition, polite and easy in his address, and placed in the chair by the same minister who had procured the repeal of the stamp-act, to which event his own agency had contributed ; Mr. Wentworth enjoyed a great share of popular favor ; which was much height- cned when his conduct was viewed in contrast with that of some other governors in the neighboring provinces. Though bred a merchant, he had a taste for agriculture, and entered vigorously into the spirit of cultivation. He frequently traversed the forests ; explored the ground for new roads ; and began a plantation for himself in the township of Wolfeborough, on which he expended large sums, and built an elegant house. His example was influ- ential on other landholders, who also applied themselves in earnest to cultivate the wilderness.
The improvement of the country at this time occupied the minds of the people of New-Hampshire, and took off their atten- tion, in a great measure, from the view of those political difficul- ties, which were occasioned by a new act of parliament, laying duties on paper, glass, painters' colors, aad tea ; and the estab- lishment of a board of commissioners for collecting the American revenue. In the other colonies, particularly in Massachusetts, these duties had become a subject of altercation and serious alarm,
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HISTORY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE ..
[1767.
being grounded on the right which the parliament had assumed of 'binding America in all cases whatsoever.' 'The only remedy was to be found in frugality, non-importation, and domestic manufactures. These things were recommended, and, in some measure, complied with ; and by means of these exertions, the revenue fell short of the sanguine expectations which its advocates had formed.
The popularity of the governor of New-Hampshire, and the influence of his numerous friends and connexions, who were of the principal families and the richest merchants in the province, prevented the adoption of a non-importation agreement in Ports- mouth,* till the merchants in some of the other colonies threatened to withhold any mercantile intercourse with them. A plan of the same kind was then (1770) formed ; and the union of so many colonies, in this measure, caused the manufacturers in Great- Britain to experience distresses of the same nature with those occasioned by the stamp-act ; and to exert their influence for a repeal of the new revenue law, which was in part effected. All the duties, excepting that on tea, were taken off. This relaxation, on the other side of the Atlantic, produced a relaxation here .- The ministry in Great-Britain was frequently changed ; and no uniform system either of coercion or lenity was adopted. The opposition on this side languished for want of unanimity. The more candid among us were willing to suppose that Britain would never lay any more duties ; and there was some foundation for this supposition, as far as letters from ministers of state, and speeches from provincial governors might be depended on. The tax on tea was reserved as a latent spark to rekindle the contro- versy.
When the governor, at his first meeting the assembly, accord- ing to the custom on such occasions, recommended to them the establishment of an ' adequate, honorable and permanent salary,' they made some hesitation, on account of a report, that the sala- ries of the American governors were to be paid out of the revenue. On being assured, that if such a general establishment should take place, it would be so guarded as to prevent his receiving any reward from the assembly ; they framed a vote, granting Sept. 30. seven hundred pounds per annum during his administra- tion (dollars being then fixed at six shillings.) The fund appro- priated to the salary was the excise, and in case of its insufficiency, other provision was made. But the vote was limited with an exception, ' unless provision shall be made by parliament.'-
* ' We cannot depend on the countenance of many persons of the first rank ' here ; for royal commissions and family connexions influence the principal ' gentlemen among us, at least to keep silence in these evil times. The press ' here has never been openly attacked ; but the printer remembers what he ' once suffered, at Boston; and is easily kept in awe by more private rebukes.' --- MS. letter of the sons of liberty, in Portsmouth, to those in Boston.
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PROVINCE. JOHN WENTWORTH, 2d.
1767.]
When the question was put, the house was equally divided, and the speaker, Peter Gilman, turned it against a permanent salary. It was therefore voted from year to year, and generally amounted to seven hundred pounds ; besides which an allowance was made for house-rent, from sixty or seventy to one hundred pounds.1 *
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