Shays's Rebellion Chapter 4

 

Shays's Rebellion Chapter 4

THE SHAYS REBELLION 131

 

On election day, in May, 1786, Colonel Porter's regiment met in Hadley

and Shays appeared at the head of the Pelham company. His activity and

officer-like appearance excited admiration, and were the subjects of much

conversation. (History of Northampton, Vol. II, p. 492.)

 

6hays is said to have been "conspicuous for bravery at Bunker

Hill and Stoney Point and present at the surrender of Burgoyne."

 

In the Hallowell Journal, the author, who was in Col. Rufus

Putnam's Fifth regiment, Gen. Nixon's brigade, Ezra Newhall,

Lieutenant Colonel, says that Shays was in his regiment, "in three

years service and respected as a very good officer, was very good

to his men." (Quoted in "Lynn in the Revolution," Howard Ken-

dall Sanderson, p. 180.))

 

Shays' commission as Captain in Gen. Rufus Putnam's 3d

Massachusetts Regiment was dated Jan. 1, 1777.

 

The Conkey tavern in Pelham and the Clapp tavern in East

Amherst were favorite resorts of Shays.

 

Holland, in comparing the two men as far as known, says, "It

was more the result of accident than any other cause that Shays

had the precedence, and the fortune to make his name infamous

by association with the rebellion in which he was engaged. Day

was the stronger man, in mind and will, the equal of Shays in

military skill, and his superior in the gift of speech.

 

It was in September, 1786, that Shays first came out into the

open with a force which he had mustered to commit a glaring

act of insurgency. The lower courts had been interrupted in

several places, but hitherto the Supreme Court had not been

molested. That august body was to assemble in regular session

in Springfield, Sept. 26. Cognizant that plans to interfere with

it were maturing. Gov. Bowdoin ordered out the militia of Hamp-

shire County under command of Major Gen. William Shepard

of Westfield. In the three and a half years which had elapsed

since the completion of his service in the Continental army he had

not forgotten the art of war which he had been learning and prac-

ticing for so many years. He was no carpet knight but a tried

and seasoned veteran, ready to march forth again at the call of

duty, and the rebels had abundant reason to show him far more

respect than they actually accorded him. But desperate defiance

of authority, civil and military, and irreverence toward person-

ages greatly superior to them in ability and character, were prom-

inent features of their lawless game.

 

The troops began to gather on Saturday, Sept. 23, and 150 of

 

 

 

132 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

 

them took possession of the Court House well armed, officered

and equipped.

 

The following order is preserved among the Shepard papers

in the Westfield Atheneum :

 

Springfield, Sept. 25, 1786.

Sir: I am suspicious that Col. Gideon Burt has through business and hurry

forgotten to send any orders to you to bring on your Company to Spring-

field on Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock. I therefore request and command

you as you value the blessings of Constitutional Government & the peace

and security of society, to assemble the men in your Company and march

them, both Train band and Alarm list to the Court House here by nine o'-

clock tomorrow morning completely armed and with three days rations.

 

I am, sir, your humble servant

 

William Shepard Major Gen'l

4th Division

Lieut. Abel Chapin,

Chickopee.

 

There was need of the utmost diligence and haste in collect-

ing forces to sustain the government and resist the mob which

had gathered in great numbers and which was continually being

augmented by fresh arrivals from various quarters. Chief Jus-

tice Cushing, and Justices Sergeant, Sewell and Sumner were in

attendance, and by the time that the Court convened fully a thous-

and troops were under arms to furnish needed protection from

the mob. The insurgents considerably outnumbered them al-

though inferior in equipment and officers. There were many

veterans in both camps, while, however, many of the insurgents

had been gathered haphazard without having any experience of

martial drill or discipline. On the other hand it is said that more

than one company sent to reinforce the militia marched boldly

and bodily into the ranks of the insurgents. Affairs surely were

decidedly mixed, so much so that many spies and many timid

citizens carried about their persons both a sprig of hemlock which

was the rebel badge and a piece of white paper used by the loyal

party, and put one or the other on his hat according to circum-

stances. The action of the remote town of Rowe two months

later shows that the spirit of incertitude and confusion had not

then abated, for "being Repeatedly Requested to Join in the Dis-

pute between the Court and those called the regulating party" and

not being able to decide between them, it was recommended

that as many as "can conveniently march" should proceed to

Springfield and, having informed themselves, "join that party as

 

 

 

THE SHAYS REBELLION 133

 

they shall Judge to be in the right of the cause, they acting en-

tirely for themselves in the matter."

 

Shays and Day acted together, and spent much time in drilling

and haranguing their forces. All were chagrined to find the Court

House pre-empted by government troops. The rank and file were

eager to make an attempt to carry it by storm, but the leaders

were too wary and prudent to permit such a rash course, appre-

ciating the general inferiority of their adherents.

 

The Court was regularly opened, but could accomplish no busi-

ness because of the absence of the grand jury, some of the mem-

bers of which felt that their duty lay in the line of defending

the Court House and judges, even though thereby they were

rendering nugatory the presence of these officers of the law. It

was better to have a portion of the machinery of the law properly

geared though turning out no products, than to have all the parts

scattered broadcast under the mob's fury.

 

During the day a message was sent to the court by the insurg-

ents stating the conditions upon which they would disperse and

return to their homes. They demanded that no penalties should

be imposed upon the regulators who forcibly prevented the ses-

sions of the Courts in Northampton, or upon those who had gath-

ered in Springfield to interfere with the sessions of the Supreme

Court, "that no civil case should be tried unless both parties there-

to should be willing," that the militia which had then and there

gathered to protect the Court should not be paid for service thus

rendered. To these and some other proposals less preposterous

the Court replied with a vigorous denial, which so exasperated

the rabble as to make an attack upon the militia imminent.

 

There followed a complaint that the militia had been insulting

in its treatment of Shays' forces, denying them the right to march

where they pleased, which was responded to by permission to

march anywhere so long as they behaved themselves and com-

mitted no acts of violence. Thus encouraged the 1200 insurgents,

only about half of whom had muskets, and very few of whom had

bayonets, strutted back and forth trying to intimidate the militia,

until they wearied of the exercise and were convinced of the

falseness of the rumor that the militia had resolved that they

should not march past the Court House. It is to the credit of

the militia that it calmly refused to take the dare thus insolently

flung at it.

 

Thus matters progressed until the third day of the sitting of

 

 

 

134 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

 

the Court, when it adjourned after deciding not to attempt to

convene later in Berkshire according to appointment, lest its ex-

perience in Springfield might be repeated there. The insurgents

in reality had won a triumph, successfully defying the Court to

transact its proper business, though technically the Court had

maintained its regular sessions. That success drove the insurg-

ents to a frenzy, inflaming them to a clamor for an attack upon

the government. Shays sent a presumptuous demand to General

Shepard to surrender the Court House, but the sturdy commander

drew up his men in line to meet an attack, which though threat-

ened was not executed, Shays parading his forces back and forth

before the steady ranks of the defenders but doing nothing more.

 

Finally, having defended the Court House so long as there

was any reason for so doing, and having heard threats made of

an attack upon the arsenal a half mile east on the hill, General

Shepard let the rabble have the Court House while he withdrew

his forces to the protection of what was more valuable at that

juncture.

 

Minot, with fine consideration, says : "The condition of the

Town of Springfield was truly melancholy during the civil conten-

tion. Neighbours were opposed to each other under arms, the

houses were rendered the scenes of female distress ; and it was in

the power of accident only, to have brought on an action which

might have destroyed the lives of thousands, and subjected all

property to the immediate vengeance of the party that might have

become victorious. After remaining in this situation for four

days the inhabitants were relieved by the dispersing of both par-

ties." (Insurrections in Massachusetts, p. 49.)

 

Judd, less pompously and more naively, tells his story of the

exciting days :

 

Tues. [Sept.] 26, 1786. 60 or 70 men of the Militia set ofif for Spring-

field, very early to support the Government. About 81 set out, some from,

Westhampton Hkewise got to Springfield about 10. Militia at the Court

House and the mob above Ferry. About 1 the Mob marched down in or-

der and back; about 900 armed and unarmed. Government upwards of 1000.

Court sit in the afternoon. A very sorrowful day. Brother against Bro-

ther. Father against Son. The Mob threaten the lives of all that oppose

them. Came away about sunset.

 

Wednesday, 27. Went with Dr. Woodbridge about 9. Got to Spring-

field about 12. Lines are drawn with Centuries kept by each party. Looks

more threatening than yesterday. Committees from each have met but can-

not agree. Court did business in the P. M. our situation is truly deplor-

 

 

 

THE SHAYS REBELLION 135

 

able. An alarm about 7; but rest of the Night was Quiet.

 

Thursday, 28. Mob threaten much but they are not coming. Those

who threaten most do the least. The agreement nearly completed yester-

day. Militia march on to the Hill, the Mob march and countermarch

through the Town. Militia discharged about 3 P. M. Mob are high yet,

not lowered tho lost their vim. I came away about 5; nothing but fire

and Smoke where the Mob are.

 

Fryday, 29. Militia got home in afternoon.

 

Besides the government forces mobilized in response to the

Governor's order and on duty during the disturbance, an ancient

muster roll proves that eighty persons who had arrived from vari-

ous towns organized themselves into an independent company of

defense, chose Gen. Warham Parks of Westfield to act as their

Captain, and were armed at the public store. Several Westfield

men served in the ranks.

 

Two official reports, one by Col. Elisha Porter of Hadley,

Sheriff, the other by General Shepard, were forwarded to Gov.

Bowdoin on the same day:

 

Springfield, September 25th, 1786.

May it please your Excellency,

 

Finding since I saw your Excellency, that the combination for pre-

venting the Supreme Judicial Court from sitting at this place tomorrow

were increasing — and that they intended to take possession of the Court

House on Sunday, I called upon Gen. Shepard for aid and advice. We

judged it prudent to take possession on Saturday night as privately as

possible. For that purpose I came here, and with a number of Volunteers

belonging to this Town to the number of about forty I took possession of

the Court house about ten o'clock in the evening, and about three o'clock

in the morning were joined by about one hundred & fifty men from North-

ampton and about fifty men from Hadley who were ordered by the Gen-

eral for that purpose. They are now on the ground and are resolutely de-

termined in favour of Government.

 

General Shepard writes by the Stage to whose letter I refer for further

information.

 

I have the honour to Subscribe myself —

 

Your Excellency's Most Obedt & hble Sert.

 

Elisha Porter

 

 

 

His Excellency

James Bowdoin Esqr.

 

(Mass. Archives, Shays' Rebellion, Vol. II, p. 265.)

 

Springfield, September 25th, 1786.

May it please your excellency —

 

From the various movements in this County the inlistments as they are

called of a party to obstruct the sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court, by

 

 

 

136 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

 

law to be holden in this place, this week, the Sheriff has tho't it his duty

to call on me to assist him with the strength of this division. I have ac-

cordingly ordered about two hundred men to take possession of the Court

House here last Saturday night which was executed accordingly with great

execution & address.

 

I have ordered all the remainder of the militia both train band and

alarm list to be here to-morrow at nine of the clock, completely equiped,

with three days provisions, & I have reason to depend on some further

assistance, but from the coolness toward the government which is too gen-

eral & prevalent, the number & issue must be uncertain & precarious. The

number of those who will endeavor to oppose the due course of Justice

is uncertain also, but probably will be considerable, yet I cannot but hope

we can support the Government in this county.

I have the honor to be with great respect

 

Your excellencys Most obedient humble servant.

 

Wm. Shepard

Major General of the 4th division.

N. B. I have just received intelligence that five hundred insurgents are

to be embodied at West Springfield this evening & some say two thousand.

 

His excellency

 

James Bowdoin esq. (Id. p. 266)

 

Four days later the following report was sent :

 

Springfield, Sept. 29th, 1786.

May it please your Excellency —

 

In my letter of the 25th Instant, I acquainted you that I had taken pos-

session of this Court house here, and expected the Militia to join the next

day. I am able to inform your Excellency now of the events which have

existed between that and this letter. The Justices and other gentlemen

belonging to the Supreme Judicial Court arrived, opened, sat, and on Thurs-

day morning adjourned (of their proceedings however your Excellency

will have a particular account from them no doubt) and were protected by

the Militia, from violent invasion and influence. I had here under my com-

mand about eight hundred men, who bore arms, among whom were not

less than two hundred of the most respectable and opulent gentlemen of

this County, including a company of Volunteers of this town; to arm whom

I supposed it absolutely necessary for the protection of the Court, of the

town, and of my own Corps, to demand and seize the key of the Arsenal and

take from there two hundred stands of arms. As the Magazine and all the

public property appeared to be in danger. I hope this measure, which was

very disagreeable to me, may meet your Excellency's approbation and that

of the General Court, as those arms were very carefully kept, and returned

uninjured. There was a considerable number present who would have taken

arms had I judged it necessary. A particular return of all who came here

for the support of government from each regiment, I shall transmit to you

as soon as it is practicable.

 

The number of those who were in this town collected to oppose govern-

ment with arms, was, by as accurate an estimation as we could obtain, about

seven hundred and twenty. Those who had clubs and weapons not under

 

 

 

THE SHAYS REBELLION 137

 

the description of arms, may be called about five hundred. It appears they

had sent expresses to all parts of this County, to many parts of the counties

of Worcester and Berkshire, and some say into the State of Connecticut

for assistance. They were continually receiving reinforcements and threat-

ened to arm themselves from the public Magazine. We finally agreed by

Committees of Officers from each party that they should dismiss their men

and give a signal, immediately after which I was to dismiss mine, and that

all persons were to return home without injuring or insulting any person.

 

The Militia were entitled most deservedly to great applause, both officers

and soldiers, for extraordinary decency and order of conduct, and for their

firmness in vindication of the rights of government. A few companies of

the Militia I retained until this morning, but now all are out of town.

 

I shall have the honor, probably, to see your Excellency next week,

and am, with great respect

 

Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant

 

Wm Shepard

 

Majr Genii 4th Division

His Excellency James Bowdoin Esq.

 

More than a hundred men went from Deerfield with the militia

to defend the Springfield arsenal. Sheldon says that more than a

thousand soldiers were billeted on the townspeople at one time

during the movements incident to quelling later disturbances. He

also appends a bill presented for payment for supplies from time

to time.

 

"Selectmen of Deerfield to Aaron Marsh Dr

 

1787 Jany 5th To 22 lbs of Powder a 204 d pr. lb. 2 114

 

To 42 sheets of paper for Cartridges 2 8

 

Feb. 5 to 47 gills N. E. Rum De'd Capt Dick 5

 

his company pr verbal order

Feb. 6 to 3 bushells of wheat at 4s 6d 15 9

 

(This line was erased but the figures stand)

 

" 7th to 48 gills N. E. Rum De'd as above 5

 

" 23 To 3 galls W. I. Rum De'd Lt Catlin 15

 

 

 

4 14 9

Omitted Jany 17 To pd Jona Hayt for himself

 

sleigh and horse to Gary Troops to Springfield."

 

That there were conservative and sane views curent amid the

 

radical sentiments so freely expressed at that period of stress and

 

anxiety is evidenced by the following brief editorial comment in

 

the Hampshire Herald of June 20, 1786:

 

The scarcity of cash says a correspondent is a general complaint, and

it has got to be so fashionable to complain of hard times and the scarcity of

money, that debtors seem to think that they have sufficiently satisfied their

 

 

 

138 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

 

creditors, if they tell them the times are hard and money scarce. This has

so long been the theme, that people almost universally believe it although

it is a falsehood. Every generation and age thinks the former days and

times were better than the present. This however, is a mistake, founded

on false surmises and vain imaginations. The original principles of human

nature are the same in every age, and ever have been since the fall. Times

are easy when men do their duty; but when they deviate from that and en-

ter the road of vice and indolence and licentiousness, then difficulties em-

barrass, and troubles perplex them.

 

In an editorial in the same journal Aug. 15, 1786, several months

before the final outbreak of Shays and his followers, a very sane

and fair statement of the existing civic conditions is given, with

a protest against the subversion of existing institutions. A quo-

tation from it is worth considering: "One grievance complained

of is the weight of taxes ! It is granted that taxes are heavy ; and

it is hoped government will exercise all reasonable forbearance.

But though they are a burthen we are not sure they ought to be

called a grievance. They are the unavoidable consequence of a

long and expensive war which was undertaken with the general

voice of the people, who chose it in preference to an abject sub-

mission to the demands of a British Court. When we declared

war, we knew it might be long; and if long would certainly be

very expensive ; and now to complain of these burthens which we

agreed to take upon ourselves, as the easier alternative, is an in-

consistency dishonourable to Americans."

 

The whole article is a dispassionate discussion of painful but

inevitable conditions, in striking contrast with the rantings and in-

flammatory diatribes of the ill-balanced demagogues who fomented

the insurrection. Had more attention been paid to such reason-

able consideration of public affairs, the Commonwealth would

have been spared the disgrace of men lately patriots in the ser-

vice of their country, turning into rebels against the authority

for which they had wrought and suffered in order to insure its

establishment, so speedily lifting the weapons of treason against

it.

 

Hampshire Herald, Sept. 27, 1786.

 

Springfield, Wednesday, Sept. 27.

 

Eleven o'clock. Forenoon

 

Friends and Fellow-Countrymen

 

Let us not forfeit the dignity of our natures by attempting to destroy

 

our excellent Constitution — a constitution, by which our lives and liberties

 

are protected from the ravings of merciless rapine, by which the good order

 

and harmony of society are preserved, in short, by which we are preserved

 

 

 

THE SHAYS REBELLION 139

 

in the full enjoyment of every privilege which can tend to render our lives

agreeable or happy. Let us not eradicate fair liberty that venerable tree,

that plant of Renown, on whose fruit we subsist, under whose shadow we

enjoy security and peace, and thereby run the hazard of incurring the

shackles of Tyranny and oppression; but let us make every exertion to

support and defend it; let us nourish and cherish it with all possible assid-

uity, that we may, under an indulgent Providence, long enjoy Peace and

Harmony, which are the Basis and Ornaments of Society, and the Foun-

dation of all Public and Private Happiness.

 

That all appears in large, heavily leaded type, and what follows

is in small, unleaded type:

 

There, are now assembled in this town, about 2000 men bearing arms;

1200 of which number appear disaffected to the present form of govern-

ment; and threaten the annihilation of the Court now sitting here, unless

they acquiesce with their proposals; which they have sent them. The

others are for supporting and protecting it. The judges and other gentle-

men of the Court Arrived in town on Monday evening and yesterday, at

the appointed time, and in the usual manner, opened the Court and pro-

ceeded to business; — at nine this morning they again opened the Court;

but immediately adjourned the same to three o'clock this afternoon. There

are committees chosen from among both parties, who are now consulting

what measures to take that shall give most general satisfaction.

 

By the last mail from the Eastward we have received an account of

the insurrection in the State of New Hampshire, which is as follows: In

the year 1785 the legislature of that State passed an act making every spe-

cies of property a tender at an appraised value. This was attended with

unhappy consequences. The people still thought they were grievously

burdened; and to alleviate their load, a convention of Committees, in

August last, from about thirty towns assembled, agreed upon, and preferred

to the General Court, a long petition setting forth their grievances on ac-

count of the scarcity of money, and praying for an emission of paper bills

of credit, in which there was no single trace of an idea of redemption, or

any one attempt to give the currency a foundation; their object was, how-

ever, to have this paper a tender for all debts and taxes.

 

The Legislature soon after formed a plan for the emission of twenty

thousand pounds, to be let out at four per cent, and landed security re-

deemable at a future period, carrying interest at six per cent, to be a tender

for taxes for the internal support of the State, and for fees and salaries of

the officers of the government. This plan was sent as early as the four-

teenth of September to the several towns to collect their minds upon the

subject.

 

On the twentieth, at four of the clock in the afternoon, about 400 men

on horseback and on foot entered the town of Exeter where the general

Court was sitting; about fifty of them, or perhaps more, were armed with

muskets, and the others with bludgeons; their principal leader appeared to

be one Moses French, a farmer of Hampstead, aided by one Coffin, a major

in the militia, and two or three others; they afifected military parade, and

had a drum; after they had halted a while, they sent a paper into the House

 

 

 

140 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

 

of Representatives, who were convened in the meeting house, demanding an

answer to their former petition without delay; it was dated on Exeter

Plain, and signed Moses French, Moderator. The President (General Sul-

livan) considered the petition, and publickly shewed, with a great strength

of reasoning, and very cooly, the extreme folly, as well as the very great

injustice of the prayer of their former petition, and concluded by saying

that no consideration of personal danger should ever compel him to so

flagrant a violation of the constitutional rights of the people who had placed

him in the chair of government.

 

As soon as this speech was made the mob beat to arms, and surrounded

the meeting house where the President, the Senate, and the House remained;

Those of the mob who had muskets, were ordered to charge with balls,

which command they instantly obeyed. The house proceeded to business

as usual without taking any notice of the management at the doors. Cen-

tinels were placed at each door, with fixed bayonets, and the whole Legis-

lature were prisoners. After sun set the president attempted to come out,

but was prevented by a firm column. Thus they were obliged to remain

until a drum was heard at a distance, and a number of them huzzaing for

government. The mob appeared frightened, some of them began to run;

and the Court were permitted to retire to their homes.

 

The President then called forth the power of the State, and advanced

toward the insurgents, who were drawn up at a tavern in the outer part of

the town; there was no conflict; the mob fled; and nothing was to be done

but to pick up the prisoners. A number fled and made a stand at a bridge.

General Cilly soon came up with them, rushed in and seized their leaders.

One of them ordered them to fire, but government appeared with such

force that they dared not obey; about forty of them were made prisoners

and are now in gaol to be tried for treason, — the rest soon fled to their

lurking places, from where they must be dragged to an ignominious death

unless the clemency of government shall pity and save them. By this time

there were more than 2000 men in arms; about 300 of them were horse;

all ready to make any risque to preserve legal government, & the due exe-

cution of the laws.

 

A communication in the Hampshire Gazette of Oct. 4, 1786,

addressed "Mr. Printer" and signed "A Regulator," declares the

object of the insurgents to be "not a redress of grievances, but

a total subversion of the present government. * * * We mean

to make thorough -work of it, not to put our hands to the plow and

look back, — we have advanced so far, and know that there is no

safety but in completing the business, and leaving not one stone

upon another," and more of like tone, evidencing the anarchistic

ideas which he claimed for himself and others to be promoting.

 

A letter under date of Hadley, Nov. 8, 1786, was sent to all the

towns of the county, stating that the convention then in session

there had chosen a committee of correspondence with other coun-

ties and would report at an adjourned meeting on the first Tues-

 

 

 

THE SHAYS REBELLION 141