CHAPTER XIII.

Measures adopted to quell the Insurrection... General Lincoln commande the Militia... Marches to Worcester... Insurgents retire, but collect at Springfield, fired upon by General Shepard... Pursued by Lincoln... Posted at Pelham... General Court meet and approve of the conduct of the governor... Rebellion declared... Shays marches to Petersham... Surprised and dispersed by general Lincoln... His conduct approved... Insurgents in Berkshire subdued... Commissioners appointed to grant pardons... Several convicted of treason by Supreme Court.

WHEN the governor received intelligence of the conduct of the insurgents, in again obstructing the court in Hampshire by force, and that there was a meditated plan to interrupt it in the county of Worcester, where it was to be holden in a few weeks, he was satisfied of the necessity of calling upon the militia to suppress the rebellion, as it might now be justly called; and to apprehend the leaders of this dangerous opposition, as the only means of safety to the Commonwealth. He consulted the council on this important subject, and they advised to the course, which he suggested. The constitution, indeed, gave power to the governor to provide for the peace and welfare of the state against all hostile attacks and dangerous combinations; and the General Court, at its late extra session, had expressed an opinion, that the militia should be called out, whenever the public exigencies might require such a measure. But it was

both still the duty and the wish of the governor to have the opinion of the council in a situation so novel and responsible.

It was certainly most fortunate for the state, that the executive was then intelligent, firm and decided. Any wavering policy or weak timidity, from a regard to popularity, would have proved fatal to the peace of society and the existence of government. Further forbearance towards the insurgents would have jeopardized the welfare of the whole Commonwealth; and any proposition to negotiate with them would only have given them confidence and dishonoured the government. The governor was aware that the crisis demanded promptitude and decision, and he took his measures accordingly. The majority of the council were also decidedly of opinion, that the strong arm of government must be raised in defence of law and order. Other public officers and intelligent citizens were of opinion, also, that the insurrection should be quelled, before it extended any further, or became more formidable. It was not apprehended, indeed, that the majority of the ple of Massachusetts would ever become advocates for such conduct as had been exhibited by a few infatuated men. But it was considered the imperious duty of the government to suppress a rebellion, which was at once injurious and disgraceful to the state.

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The executive would have failed in its duty to the people and to the state, had it neglected to adopt measures fully adequate to suppress this dangerous insurrection, with all possible promptitude. To have relied solely upon the sheriff of any county, where the insurgents were collected,

with all the aid he could obtain, would have been unwise. For though in most counties of the state, there was a majority, and in all, a very large and respectable number, in favour of government, a portion of them were too timid to act openly against those who were collected under arms. Besides, while the authority of the sheriff was confined to his own particular county, the malcontents were from several counties, and marched from place to place, as their safety or their plans dictated. The only alternative, therefore, was to call out the militia; and, early in January, (1787) orders were issued for raising 4400. Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex were to furnish 2000; Worcester and Hampshire 2400.

This requisition shews the confidence which the executive had in the good people, generally, in the two last named counties, notwithstanding the greater part of the insurgents belonged to those sections of the Commonwealth. Four companies of artillery were also detached from the counties of Suffolk and Middlesex. Thirty days was to be the term of their service; and major general Lincoln was designated as the commander of this patriotic band, on whom was imposed the irksome duty of marching, in hostile array, against a portion of their fellow citizens. But the obligation was indispensable: and they cheerfully rallied, in defence of a free government and of constitutional liberty, at the call of the chief magistrate, whom they esteemed for his patriotism and wisdom, and under the immediate command of a military character, in whom were united the mildest virtues, with great firmness and resolution.

For the support of this detachment of militia

in defence of government, a loan of 20,000 dollars was effected, from a number of patriotic citizens; as the public treasury was destitute of funds, to meet the charge of the expedition. The creditors of the state were so numerous, at this period, that they were frequently obliged to wait many months for their dues; even such as was promised and had not been reloaned; and generally, the treasurer was able to satisfy them only by issuing orders on the collectors of the taxes through the state, and thus anticipate the monies which had been assessed for the public service.

In the mean time, the governor, with his usual prudence and under the influence of a disposition, by which he was uniformly actuated, to omit no efforts for the information and welfare of the people, prepared and circulated an address to them; in which he referred to the unjustifiable and dangerous proceedings of the insurgents, to his own late conduct and that of the General Court, by which every reasonable indulgence, and every possible remedy, consistent with justice, order, and the support of the civil authority, had been extended to them: and of the late measure of calling out the militia to protect the courts of law; which, though reluctantly adopted, was rendered necessary by their violent and highly criminal proceedings. "Such opposition to government and the laws," he said, "could not be longer endured; and that their actions, whatever might be their real or pretended motives, tended directly to confusion and anarchy in the state." He also appealed to the good sense, virtue and patriotism of the people, on the absolute necessity of uniting with the officers of government, in opposing the insur

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gents, and rallying round the standard of the constitution.

While the militia, who had been detached, were assembling at the places of rendezvous required, one of which was at Boston, and the other at Springfield, the insurgents became alarmed by the decisive conduct of government; and they forwarded a petition to the Supreme Executive, requesting the discharge of the prisoners in Boston, a general pardon to all who had hitherto opposed the government, and a suspension of the courts of Common Pleas, until after a new choice of representatives, who, they probably supposed, would be more ready to grant all their wishes. But the style of the application was not such as men in their condition might properly address to the lawful authority of the State. They had, also, on former occasions, violated their express engagements, made in a like situation of embarrassment and fear; and more than all, they had continued in arms, and in opposition to the regular authority of the government, long after the period when a pardon had been graciously tendered them. The memorial was considered, by the Executive, as an improper address, highly reprehensible in itself, and requiring an indulgence or an assurance, which the governor and council were not authorized to grant, after the recent decision of the legislature. No promise could have been correctly made by the Executive, that the conditions required by the insurgents, on which their engagement to be obedient and peaceable depended, would be fulfilled by the General Court; for they proposed in their memorial, that some of the judicial courts should be abolished and besides all these objections to their