USA > New Hampshire > The history of New-Hampshire > Part 51
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The same party who were so zealous in favor of paper cur-
* A specimen of the language used on this occasion is as follows :- ' Seven ' states are now blessed with harmony, plenty and happiness. Worthy, in- ' dustrious men can go to market with a penny in their pockets; their benev- ' olent friends, the farmers, meet them half way with cheerfulness, and are ' as ready to receive as they to offer ; now one greets the other with social ' benedictions, trade flourishes, agriculture increases, mutual confidence is ' restored, and harmony reigns triumphant. Elysian fields these ! when con- ' trasted with the bondage of the inhabitants of New-Hampshire ; for ' in the ' midst of life, they are in death,' death of the worst kind, penury and want of ' the common blessings of providence. How long, freemen of New-Hamp- ' shire, can ye bear the yoke of oppression !' New-Hampshire Gazette, July 20, 1786.
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STATE. JOHN SULLIVAN.
1786.]
rency, and against laws which obliged them to pay their debts, proceeded to inveigh against courts and lawyers. The inferior courts were represented as sinecures for judges and clerks ; the defaulting, appealing, demurring, abatements, fees and bills of cost, without any decision, were complained of as burdens, and an abolition of these courts became a part of the popular cry .- But the party did not content themselves with writing in the pub- lic papers. An attempt was made to call a convention, at Con- cord, whilst the assembly were sitting there, who should petition the legislature in favor of the plan ; and it was thought, that the presence of such a body of men, convened at the same time and place, would have great weight. The attempt was defeated in a manner singular and humorous.
At the first sitting of the assembly, when five only of the mem- bers of the proposed convention were in town, some wags, June. among whom were several young lawyers, pretended to have been chosen by the towns in which they lived for the same pur- pose. In conference with the five, they penetrated their views, and persuaded them to post an advertisement, for all the mem- bers who were in town to assemble immediately ; it being of the utmost importance to present their petition as early in the session as possible. By this means, sixteen pretended members, with the five real ones, formed themselves into a convention, choosing one of the five their president, and one of the sixteen their clerk. They carried on their debates and passed votes with much ap- parent solemnity. Having framed a petition, complaining in the most extravagant terms of their grievances ; praying for a loan of three millions of dollars, funded on real estate ; for the abolition of inferior courts, and a reduction of the number of lawyers, to two only in a county ; and for a free trade with all the world ; they went in procession to the assembly, (some of whom had been previously let into the secret) and with great formality pre- sented their petition, which was suffered to lie on the table, and was afterwards withdrawn. The convention then dissolved ; and when others who had been really chosen by the towns arrived, they were exceedingly mortified on finding their views for that time so completely frustrated.
The next effort of the party was to call county conventions .- Of what class of people these were composed, some idea may be formed from this circumstance. An innholder, at whose house one of these conventions first met, refused to take their promise for lumber to pay the expense of their meeting ; upon which they adjourned to a ware-house, belonging to one of the party, and were treated with liquor, gratis.
From two of these conventions, and from several towns in dif- ferent parts of the state, petitions were presented to the Sept. 13. legislature, at their session in Exeter. On calm delib-
eration, these petitions appeared to be inconsistent with each other,
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HISTORY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. [1786.
with the constitution, with justice and public faith. But to still the clamor and collect the real sense of the people on the subject of paper currency ; the assembly formed a plan for the emission of fifty thousand pounds, to be let at four per cent. on land secu- rity ; to be a tender in payment of state taxes, and for the fees and salaries of public officers. This plan was immediately printed, and sent to the several towns ; and the people were de- sired to give their opinions in town meetings for and against it, and to make return of their votes to the assembly at their next session.
This way of proceeding did not coincide with the views of the party ; the principal directors of which endeavored to conceal themselves, whilst they persuaded a considerable number of per- sons of various characters, to appear openly in support of the pe- titions. They took pains to spread false reports through the coun- try ; and among other things, it was said that the assembly had passed an act, to refund the value of the confiscated estates, which was to be immediately assessed on the people.
It must be observed, that at this time, causes of a similar na- ture had excited numbers of people in some counties of Massa- chusetts, to assemble in arms and prevent the judicial courts from sitting .* This example, aided by false reports, and a sense of grievances, partly real and partly imaginary, operated so power- fully on the minds of a number of people, in the western part of the county of Rockingham ; that on the morning of the twentieth of September, about two hundred men assembled at Kingston, six miles from Exeter, where they chose leaders and procured a drum. By the help of some militia officers, they formed them- selves into military order, and in the afternoon, marched to Exe- ter ; about one third of them being armed with muskets, and the others with swords and clubs. Having entered the confines of the town, they halted ; and sent a paper to the assembly, signed by one of them who styled himself moderator, demanding an an- swer to their former petition immediately. They then marched through the town, and paraded before the meeting-house, where both houses of assembly were holding a conference. The doors were open, and as many of them as were disposed, entered .- The president, in a cool and deliberate speech, explained the
* [The insurrection in Massachusetts assumed such a threatening aspect, that the governor of that state wrote to President Sullivan, requesting him to offer a reward for apprehending any of the rebels who should flee to this state, and to take measures for preventing their receiving any supplies .- " The government of New-Hampshire, pursued every measure, which it was thought the powers vested in the president and council would authorize .- They did not think proper, to admit armed parties from another state into that ; but the existing laws permitted civil officers of other states, to pur- sue offenders there, and by application to a magistrate to have them appre- hended and sent into the state having jurisdiction of the offence. They, therefore directed a major-general, to secure all armed parties, who mnight come into their state ; and a proclamation was issued by their president, agreeably to the request of the governor of the commonwealth." Minot, Hist. of the Insurrection in Mass. 154.]
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STATE. JOHN SULLIVAN.
1786.]
reasons on which the assembly liad proceeded in rejecting the petitions ; exposed the weakness, inconsistency and injustice of their request ; and said, that if it were ever so just and proper in itself, and if the whole body of the people were in favor of it, yet the legislature ought not to comply with it, while surrounded by an armed force. To do this, would be, to betray the rights of the people, which they had all solemnly sworn to support. He con- cluded by declaring, that no consideration of personal danger would ever compel them to violate the rights of their constituents.
This speech being ended, the drum beat to arms; as many as had guns were ordered to load them with balls; sentries were placed at the doors, and the whole legislature were held prison- ers ; the mob threatening death to any person who should attempt to escape, till their demands were granted. The assembly went on with their business, taking no farther notice of the rioters, till the approach of evening ; when the president attempted to go out, but was stopped by an impenetrable column. He then reasoned with them, and warned them of the fatal tendency of their con- duct, assuring them, that the force of the country would support the government. Their answers to him were insolent and re- proachful. They raised a cry for paper money, an equal distri- bution of property, and a release from debts. The inhabitants of Exeter had all this time beheld with silence the insult offered to the legislature. Having no orders to take arms, they restrained their indignation, till the dusk of the evening; when some of them beat a drum at a distance, and others cried, ' Huzza for ' government ! Bring up the artillery !' At the sound of these words, the mob were struck with a panic, and began to disperse. Their moderator ordered them to meet again, at nine of the clock the next morning, and they scattered in every direction .*
[The president of New-Hampshire at this time was John Sullivan, of whom through the kindness of the Hon. William Plumer, I am enabled to add the following note.
JOHN SULLIVAN was the son of John Sullivan, and was born in Berwick, Maine. Without an academic education, he commenced the practice of law at Durham, in this state, where he lived till his death. He was in the times in which he lived, considered a distinguished lawyer. In 1772, he was ap- pointed a major in the militia. In 1774, he was appointed a delegate to the general congress ; and in December, he, with others, seized the British fort William and Mary, at New-Castle, and took more than a hundred barrels of gunpowder from thence, and removed it into the country. In 1775, he was re-appointed delegate to congress; and by that body on the 22 June, was ap- pointed brigadier-general in the revolutionary army. He commanded the troops stationed on Winter Hill, in the vicinity of Boston.
He received from congress the appointment of major-general, 29 July, 1776. The 26th August, he was taken prisoner on Long-Island, New-York, and in October, was exchanged ; sent to the army in Canada, where after the death of General Thomas, he commanded; but was soon superseded, and re- turned to the main army. In 1777, he was distinguished for his bravery and good conduct in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. In August, 1778, he commanded the army at Newport, Rhode-Island, but was obliged to retreat, on which occasion his conduct met the approbation of congress. In 1779, he commanded an expedition against the Indians, where he suffered
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HISTORY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. [1786.
The assembly being thus at liberty, requested the president to call out the force of the state to quell the insurrection. In the evening, he issued his orders, and before morning companies of militia, well armed, began to come in from the neighboring towns.
By ten of the clock in the morning, a sufficient body of Sept. 21. horse and foot, with field-pieces and military music, hav- ing arrived ; the president put them in motion against the insur- gents, who were then parading, about a mile distant. Having by their spies obtained intelligence of the motion of the militia, the unarmed part of the insurgents retreated to a hill beyond the riv- er ; the others kept their ground till a party of light-horse appear- ed in view, and then the whole body retired. Some of them were taken by the pursuers; others recovered the bridge at King's fall, and being met by those who had first retreated, made an appearance as if they would dispute the passage. Orders were given by one of their leaders to fire ; but the force of the government appeared so formidable that they dared not to obey. The officers of the militia rushed in among them, seized their moderator and others, to the number of forty. The rest fled with precipitation, and no farther pursuit was made. The pris- oners were disarmed and conducted to the town ; where they were brought to an examination before the president and council. Had these men been engaged in a good cause, and commanded by proper officers, they would have maintained the honor of their country, and fought her battles with ardor and perseverance ; but, conscious of their inconsistency in opposing a government of their own establishing, their native fortitude forsook them ; and they gave an example of the most humiliating submission. Most of them professed to be ashamed of their conduct, and their shame appeared to be sincere.
The dignity of government being thus vindicated, its lenity
great fatigue, but destroyed many Indians, and laid their country waste. On the 30th November, congress accepted his resignation, which he had previous- ly requested.
In February, 1780, the legislature of the state appointed him an agent to settle the line between New-Hampshire and New-York; and June 21st, a delegate to the congress of the United States, and on the 19 January follow- ing, re-appointed him to that office. In January, 1782, the legislature ap- pointed him commander of their troops to Vermont, and on the 21 June, at- torney general of New-Hampshire.
After the establishment of the state constitution, he was re-appointed at- torney general, 25 December, 1784, and major-general of the militia, both of which he held till 28 February, 1786, when he resigned them both. In 1785, he was member and speaker of the house of representatives and counsellor. In 1786 and 1787, he was elected president of the state. In 1788, he was a member and speaker of the house of representatives ; member and president of the convention which ratified the constitution of the United States.
In 1789, he was an elector of president and vice president of the United States, and in March, was elected president of the state for the third time .- In September, the same year, the president and senate of the U. S. appointed him judge of the district court of New-Hampshire, which office he held as long as he lived. He died 23 January, 1795, aged 54 years.]
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STATE. JOHN SULLIVAN.
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was equally conspicuous. Six only of the prisoners were de- tained, and a party of light-horse was sent to apprehend two others of the most culpable. They were taken out of their beds and brought to Exeter. This manœuvre had an excellent effect, for some, who knew themselves equally guilty, were afraid to sleep in their own houses. The superior court being then Sept. 25. in session at Exeter, these eight prisoners were arraigned
on an indictment for treason. One dropping on his knees, plead- ed guilty. Others hesitated when they pronounced the words ' not guilty.' They were ordered to recognize for their appear- ance at the next superior court, when their bonds were discharged. Some of them, who belonged to the presbyterian churches, were cited before the ecclesiastical session, and there censured, as op- posers of just government. Others, being military officers, were tried by a general court martial ; of these, some were cashiered, but not incapacitated for future service ; some were reprimanded, and others were acquitted. The whole opposition was complete- ly subdued ; wavering minds became settled ; converts were made to the side of government ; and the system of knavery re- ceived a deep wound, from which it has not since recovered.
The plan which had been issued by the assembly, for emitting paper money, was in course referred to the people, in their town meetings ; and at the next session, the returns 1787. were made, when a majority appeared against it. To Jan. 4. finish the whole matter, two questions were put in the assembly. The first was ' whether the legislature can, consistently with the ' constitution, and their oaths, pass an act making paper bills of ' credit, a tender to discharge private contracts, made prior to the ' passing such act ?' The other was, 'whether paper money be ' emitted on any plan which has been proposed ?' Both these questions were determined in the negative.
To observe the progress of wisdom and virtue, and the obsta- cles which are laid in the way of vice, is a most pleasing enter- tainment to the philanthropist ; and it is but just, in such a con- templation, to acknowledge that superintending influence, which brings good out of evil. It was feared by many, that the Amer- ican revolution would not produce that sum of political happiness which its warmest advocates had fondly predicted. The efforts of faction in several of the states were very alarming. In New- Hampshire, the assault being made directly at the supreme head of the government, the force of the state immediately rose and crushed it. In Massachusetts, the attacks were made on the ju- dicial courts, which of themselves had no power effectually to oppose them. The disaffection there rose to a higher degree ; it was more extensively diffused, and with more difficulty quelled. But at length, the constitutional powers of government being ex- erted with vigor, the spirit of anarchy was suppressed. In anoth-
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HISTORY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. [1787.
er neighboring state, the same spirit reigned triumphant. 'A de- preciating currency was established by law, aud pertinaciously adhered to by the government.
The imbecility of the confederation by which the states were united, had long been felt, and some attempts had been making to strengthen it ; but the view of our situation at this time demon- strated the total inefficacy of that constitution, to bind together thirteen distinct sovereignties, over which no coercive power was established, which could prevent or cure such evils as threatened the destruction of all public and private credit. Happily for the American union, the remedy existed within itself. The good sense and public virtue of the great body of our citizens readily adopted the idea of a CONVENTION OF THE STATES. The first proposal came from Virginia, where American liberty was first publicly asserted, when it was flagrantly violated by the stamp act. The name of Patrick Henry will ever be illustrious in the Amer- ican annals for moving the resolves of 1765; and the name of James Madison will be equally distinguished for proposing the convention of 1787.
To this convention, which was holden at Philadelphia, all the states, except one, sent their delegates. After a close and par- ticular investigation, they produced a new federal constitution ; containing adequate remedies for those political disorders, which had threatened with extinction, the liberty and independence of the American states.
Among other wise provisions, to establish justice and secure the blessings of liberty, those which respect public and private credit are not the least conspicuous. To support the former, the con- gress has a power which, by the first confederation, was not dele- gated, ' to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to ' pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general ' welfare of the United States.' For the latter, it is declared, that ' no state shall coin money, emit bills of credit, make any thing ' but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts, pass any ' bill of attainder or expost facto law, or any law impairing the ' obligation of contracts.'
When this new constitution was proposed to the people, con- ventions were called in each state to consider it. In these bodies, composed of persons who represented impartially every class and description of the people, and who were themselves equally vari- ous in their principles, habits and'views, the constitution under- went the most critical and severe discussion. Whilst it was in debate, the anxiety of all parties was extended to the utmost de- gree, and the efforts of its friends and its opposers were unre- initted.
After the constitution had been, with the help of some propos- ed amendments, adopted by Massachusetts, a convention was
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STATE. JOHN LANGDON.
1788.]
called ,at Exeter in New-Hampshire. At its first meeting, a de- bate which continued ten days ended in an adjournment 1788. for four months ; at the expiration of which term, in a Feb. 13. short session of three days only at Concord, the question for adopting and ratifying the constitution, was, with the June 21. same help as in Massachusetts, carried in the affirmative, by a majority of eleven ; the whole number present being one hundred and three. This was the ninth state in the union which accepted the constitution ; and thus tlie number was completed which was necessary to put in motion the political machine .* In about a
* [1788. JOHN LANGDON was elected president of New-Hampshire for the second time. A note, detailing the services of this early patriot of the revo- Intion, will conclude the editor's annotations on this part of the labors of the historian of New-Hampshire. John Langdon was a native of Portsmouth, and was born in 1740. His father, of the same name, was the sixth son of Tobias Langdon, and lived at Sagamore's creek in Portsmouth, where his house was burned, about the year 1740. Tobias is supposed to have been son of Tobias Langdon, who lived in New-Hampshire in 1662.
He received his education at the public grammar school, under the tuition of Samuel Hale. From school, he went into the counting house of the hon- orable Daniel Rindge, where he became well acquainted with mercantile transactions. At the close of his apprenticeship, he entered upon a seafaring life, which business he continued to follow, until the troubles between the country and Great-Britain commenced. He took an early and active part in the opposition to the British government, and was one of the leaders of that party, which removed the powder and military stores from the fort at New- castle, in December, 1774. In 1775, he was appointed a delegate to the gen- eral congress, and in January, 1776, was re-appointed to the same office .- Soon after the beginning of the revolutionary war, he had the command of an independent company of cadets, and at the time of the surrender of the British army under Burgoyne, went to Bennington as a volunteer. He was likewise at Rhode-Island with a detachment of his company, at the time the British troops were in possession of the island, and when General Sullivan brought off the American troops.
He was representative and speaker of the house of representatives in this state in 1776 and 1777, and in the former year, judge of the court of common pleas, which office he resigned in April, 1777. In 1778, he had the agency under congress of building several public ships of war, and was appointed continental agent in New-Hampshire. In 1779, he was a member and presi- dent of the New-Hampshire convention for regulating the currency ; and from 1777 to 1782 member and speaker of the house of representatives of New- Hampshire. In 1780, he was a commissioner to raise men and procure pro- visions for the army ; and on the 13 June, 1783, was appointed delegate to the congress of the United States.
In 1784 and 1785, he was elected a member of the New-Hampshire senate, and the latter year, president of the state, being the successor of Meshech Weare. In 1788, he was a delegate to the convention which formed the constitution of the United States. In March, the same year, was elected rep- resentative of the legislature, and speaker of the house in June, when on counting the votes for president, he was found to be elected. In November, the legislature elected him senator to the congress of the United States, and was there elected the first president pro tem. of that body, they ever appoint- ed. In 1794, he was re-elected for another term of six years.
From 1801 to 1805, inclusive, he was representative in the N. H. legisla- ture, and in 1804 and 1805, was elected speaker of the house. From 1805 to 1808, and in 1810 and 1811, he was elected governor of the state. In 1805, the government of Dartmouth college conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws. Governor Langdon died at Portsmouth, 18 September, 1819, aged 79. Adams, Annals of Portsmouth, 370-373 .- MS. Amer. Biography by Hon. W. Plumer .- Gazetteer of N. Hamp. 222.]
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month, two more states were added. Then a congress was form-
1789. ed, and the illustrious WASHINGTON, by the unanimous suffrage of the people, was placed in the first seat of gov- ernment. Three other states, of which one is Vermont, have since been admitted into the union ; and there is now in opera-
1790. tion a general system of energetic government, which pervades every part of the United States, and has already produced a surprising alteration for the better. By the funding of the continental debt, and the assumption of the debts of the in- dividual states, into one general mass, a foundation is laid for the support of public credit ; by which means, the American revolu- tion appears to be completed. Let it be the sincere prayer and endeavor of every thoughtful citizen, that such harmony may pre- vail between the general government, and the jurisdiction of each state, as the peculiar delicacy of their connexion requires ; and that the blessings of ' peace, liberty and safety,' so dearly obtain- ed, may descend inviolate to our posterity.
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