### *Massachusetts delegates to the Continental Congress, Mar. 9^th^, 1787.*

Congress assembled. Present Massachusetts New York New Jersey,
Pensylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, and Georgia and from Rhode island
Mr \[James Mitchel\] Varnum from Connecticut Mr S\[tephen\] M\[ix\]
Mitchell.

The Delegates of Massachusetts having made representation to Congress in
the following words \"The delegates of Massachusetts in Obedience to the
Instructions of the legislature of that Commonwealth and to the end that
their constituents may claim and possess all the benefits and advantages
to which by the articles of Confederation and perpetual Union they are
or may be entitled, represent to the United States in Congress assembled
the information contained in the three subjoined papers N 1 being the
speech of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the
general court thereof. N 2 The reply of the general court to the speech
of the Governor and N 3 the declaration of a rebellion within that
commonwealth. And the said delegates in conformity with the instructions
of their constituents farther represent to the United States in Congress
assembled that the legislature of Massachusetts are firmly persuaded
that by far the greater part of the citizens of that commonwealth are
well affected to the government thereof and that there is the highest
probability by the blessing of Almighty God that the present rebellion
will be speedily suppressed. The said legislature confiding that had it
been necessary the firmest support and most effectual aid would have
been afforded by the United States to that Commonwealth for putting an
end to the insurrections and rebellion which have happened within the
same, such support and aid being expressly and solemnly stipulated by
the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union.

No. 1. The speech of His Excellency James Bowdoin, Esqr, Governor of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the Legislature. Gentlemen of the
Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of representatives. It was expected
by the General Court, that their proceedings at their last session,
respecting the Insurgents, would have answered the purposes for which
they were intended. By those proceedings there were held forth to them
punishment on the one hand, and pardon on the other, punishment in the
case of perserverance in their criminal conduct: pardon and indemnity if
they desisted from it, and by a given time should take the oaths of
allegiance. This application to their feelings, and to that actuating
principle, a desire of personal safety, it was apprehended, would have
had forcible influence to bring them to their duty. But unhappily it did
not produce any good effect except upon a very few Individuals of them.
On the contrary, the lenity and forbearance of Government were treated
with contempt, and imputed by them to an inability of defending itself:
And some of your last Acts have been added to their list of grievances.
But the clearest and most unequivocal evidence of their perseverance and
opposition to Government is deduced from their proceedings respecting
the Judicial Courts in several of the counties since the last session of
the General Court. They twice with an armed force stopped those courts
in Worcester, and would not suffer them to open in Hampshire. They
attempted it tho unsuccessfully in Middlesex, and in consequence of that
attempt several of them were taken into custody by virtue of State
Warrants; in the execution of which, the Sheriff and other persons to
whom the warrants were directed had the aid and support of a number of
spirited Gentlemen of that County and Suffolk. At the last time of their
Assembling in Worcester there were near a thousand of them in Arms, who
to the great annoyance and terror of that vicinity, continued embodied
for several days after the court had adjourned, meditating as it was
apprehended further outrages; which were providentially prevented by the
continued storms of that week. These violent and treasonable proceedings
of the Insurgents were perpetrated after the publication of the last
Acts of the General court respecting them, and demonstrated not only a
total disregard of those Acts, and the Authority by which they were
enacted but a contempt of all constitutional Government, and a fixed
determination to persevere in measures for subverting it. This
determination and these measures were also manifested by their printed
declarations, and some of the private transactions of their leaders,
when the main body of the Insurgents were last Assembled at Worcester,
by which it appeared the Insurgents were formed into Regiments and that
a Committee were appointed for each Regiment, to see that it should,
without delay be properly officered and equipped, and completely ready
whenever called upon. That this was the state of things in the Western
counties was further confirmed by letters I received from some of the
most respectable characters in those counties, and by the oral testimony
of many intelligent persons from thence, who all agreed in the necessity
of speedy and vigorous measures being taken for the effectual
suppression of the Insurgents, without which, the well affected might
from a principle of self preservation, be obliged to join them, and the
insurrection become general. The safety and well being of the
commonwealth being thus in hazard, and the lenient conciliating measures
of the General Court having been rejected by the Insurgents, I conceived
myself under every obligation of honor and duty to exert the powers
vested in me by Law and the Constitution for the protection and defence
of the commonwealth against the hostile and nefarious attempts of those
lawless men. Pursuant to this Idea, I laid before the Council all the
information and intelligence I had collected relative to the proceedings
and designs of those Men; and the Council were unanimously of opinion,
and accordingly advised that vigorous and effectual measures should be
taken to protect the Judicial Courts, particularly those that were then
next to be holden at Worcester, to aid the civil Magistrate in executing
the laws, to repel all Insurgents against the Government, and to
apprehend all disturbers of the public peace, particularly such of them
as might be named in any State Warrant or Warrants. For these purposes
upon the effecting of which all good Government and indeed the happy
existence of the commonwealth, do essentially depend, I have called
forth from several counties, a respectable body of the Militia, the
command of which I have given to Major General Lincoln, with orders to
carry those purposes into effectual execution. Those orders are now in
operation, and will be laid before You, with the general orders
containing the plan of measures by which the commonwealth was to be
defended against it\[s\] present Assailants. I congratulate You
Gentlemen on the success of those measures hitherto, and hope it is a
prelude to final success and to the reestablishment of perfect
tranquility. The dispatches concerning it, which I have received from
General Lincoln and General Shepard will be laid before You. Thus
Gentlemen, from a principle of duty to the Commonwealth and in
conformity to Your resolution of the 24th. of October, in which You
express a full confidence \"that I will persevere in the exercise of
such powers as are vested in me by the constitution for preventing any
attempts to interrupt the administration of Law and Justice, and for
enforcing due obedience to the Authority and Laws of Government,\" I
have taken the measures above represented. I trust that they will meet
with Your entire approbation, and with that support which is naturally
to be expected from the Guardians of the public safety. On my part I
have done in this business what the duty of my Office and the Oath of
Qualification indispensibly requires, and I have the fullest confidence
that on your part nothing will be wanting to carry into complete effect
the measures that have been taken or that may be further necessary to
suppress the present insurrection, and to insure a strict obedience to
the laws. This is so essential to the peace and safety of the
Commonwealth, that it requires your immediate attention, and the speedy
application of further means, if those already taken should be deemed
insufficient for that purpose. Among those means You may deem it
necessary to establish some criterion for discriminating between good
citizens and Insurgents, that each might be regarded according to their
Character, the former as their country\'s friends and to be protected,
and the latter as public enemies, and to be effectually suppressed. At
such a time as the present every man ought to shew his colours, and take
his side, no neutral Characters should be allowed, nor any suffered to
vibrate between the two. Vigor decision and energy will soon terminate
this unnatural, this unprovoked insurrection, and prevent the effusion
of blood; but the contrary may involve the commonwealth in a civil War,
and all its dreadful consequences, which may extend not only to the
neighbouring States, but even to the whole confederacy, and finally
destroy the fair temple of American liberty; in the erecting of which,
besides the vast expense of it, many thousands of valuable citizens have
been sacrificed.

There are several things resulting from the measures in operation which
require your immediate attention. The money immediately wanted for
carrying them into execution was supplied by a voluntary loan from a
number of Gentlemen, and in a manner which does them honor. I must
earnestly recommend to You to provide for its reimbursement, which upon
the principles of policy as well as Justice should be made as speedily
as possible. Provision also should be made for defraying the general
expence. Should the time be too short to effect the great purposes, for
which the militia were called forth, it may be necessary that General
Lincoln should be empowered to continue them in service, by inlistment
until those purposes should be accomplished. The men being already
embodied, and the arrangements for supporting them perfected, the
expence of such a continuance will be much less
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that of raising a new body for the same service. There are defects in
our militia Act which require an immediate remedy, and which I shall
mention to You in a separate message. These Gentlemen are matters of
importance, but the general subject of this address is of the first
magnitude and demands Your immediate and most serious attention. If it
be taken up with proper spirit, if the measures in operation be seconded
with firmness and decision, and if the powers of the several branches of
Government be united in a wise and vigorous exertion, we may reasonably
expect a speedy and happy issue to the present insurrection, to which
happy issue every exertion on my part has been and shall be applied, but
on the contrary, if indecision, languor, or disunion should on this
occasion pervade our public counsels, insurrection, though checked for
the present, would gain new strength and like a torrent might sweep away
every mound of the Constitution, and overwhelm the commonwealth in every
species of calamity. In such case, if brought on by remissness, or
relaxation on our part, we should be not only involved, most essentially
involved, in that calamity, but justly chargeable with betraying the
trust reposed in us by our fellow citizens, and chargeable with
ignominiously deserting the posts assigned us, as guardians of the
peace, the safety and happiness of the Commonwealth. But very happily,
this is only a possible case, for your patriotism, your Virtue, Your
regard for your own liberties and property and for those of your
families and posterity, must induce You to call forth every power of
government into vigorous exertion for preventing such a complication,
such an accumulation of evils. On this occasion it is proper Gentlemen
to inform You, that I have received from several towns, Petitions,
directed to the Governour and Council, and also to the General Court,
relative to the Insurgents. The petitions being eight in number, do
disapprove of the proceedings of Government, in regard to those people.
But. as the things prayed for, were, for the most part not cognizable by
the Governour and Council, and such as were so, could not be granted by
them, consistently with the duty they owe to the Commonwealth, the
petitions will be laid before You, for your consideration. There are
other matters, to which your attention, Gentlemen, is necessary and they
will be communicated by message.

(signed) James Bowdoin

Council Chamber Feb.y. 3d. 1787.

No. 2 To His Excellency James Bowdoin, Esq(r), Governour of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

May it please Your Excellency. The Senate and House of representatives
in General Court Assembled have read and duly attended to Your Speech at
the opening of this Session, and take this earliest opportunity to
express their entire satisfaction in the measures You have been pleased
to take, pursuant to the powers vested in You by the constitution for
the subduing a turbulent spirit, which has too long insulted the
Government of this commonwealth, prostrated the courts of law and
Justice in divers counties, and threatened even the overthrow of the
constitution itself. The General Court congratulate Your Excellency on
the success with which Providence has been pleased to bless the wise,
spirited and prudent measures which You have taken; and they earnestly
entreat Your Excellency still to encounter, repel and resist by all
fitting ways, enterprizes and means, all and every such person and
persons as attempt or enterprize in a hostile manner, the destruction,
detriment or annoyance of this Commonwealth, and to pursue such further
constitutional measures as You may think necessary for extirpating the
spirit of rebellion, quieting the minds of the good people of the
commonwealth, and establishing the just authority and dignity of
Government. And in order that Your Excellency may be possessed of the
full power of the Constitution to effect these great purposes, the
General Court have thought it highly necessary after mature deliberation
to declare that a rebellion exists within this commonwealth. This Court
are fully persuaded that by far the greater part of the citizens of this
commonwealth are warmly attached to our present happy constitution; they
have a high sense of the merit of a respectable body of the Militia who
have with readiness attended Your Excellency\'s orders on this pressing
emergency; as well as of the patriotic zeal of a number of private
citizens who have chearfully advanced their money in aid to Government;
and You may be assured Sir, that the most speedy and effectual means
will be used for the payment of the Officers and Soldiers who have been
or may be employed in this necessary and most important service; and for
the reimbursement of the monies generously advanced for it support. It
is to be expected that vigor, decision and energy under the direction
and blessing of Heaven will soon terminate this unnatural, unprovoked
rebellion, prevent the effusion of blood, and the fatal consequences to
be dreaded from a civil war, and it is the determination of this Court
to establish a criterion for discriminating between good citizens and
others that each may be regarded according to their character and
defects. If it should appear to Your Excellency that the time for which
the militia under the command of Major General Lincoln are enlisted is
too short to effect the great objects in view, it is the request of this
Court that You would be pleased to direct the commanding General to
reenlist the same men, or enlist others for such further time as You may
think necessary, or to replace them by detachments from the Militia, and
if You shall think it expedient encrease their numbers, and continue
them in service until those purposes shall be completely accomplished.
The General Court will give the most ready attention to Your message of
the third Instant, and every other communication You shall be pleased to
lay before them. They will vigorously persue every measure that may be
calculated to support the constitution, and will still continue to
redress any real grievances, if such shall be found to exist, humbly
beseeching Almighty God to preserve union and harmony among the several
powers of Government, as well as among the honest and virtuous Citizens
of the Commonwealth and to restore to us the inestimable blessings of
peace and liberty under a wise and righteous administration of
Government. In Senate Feby. 4th. 1787, read and unanimously accepted,
and ordered that Samuel Adams, Caleb Strong, and Seth Washburne Esqrs.,
with such as the honorable house may join, be a committee to wait upon
his Excellency the Governor with the aforegoing Address. sent down for
concurrence.

Saml Phillips, Junr. President

In the house of representatives Feb.y. 4th. 1787, read and concurred,
and M(r) Shepard, Mr Brooks, Mr Beckford and Mr Davis are joined.

Artemus Ward. Speaker

A true copy. Attest.

(signed) John Avery, Junr. Secretary

No. 3 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Whereas the doings of the General Court at their last Session, relative
to the Insurgents against the Government and Authority of the State in
several counties within this commonwealth were lenient and merciful,
were intended to quiet the minds of the disaffected, and ought to have
had the effect they were disigned to produce. And whereas every
complaint of grievance was carefully attended to, with a disposition to
grant all relief which could be afforded, consistent with equal Justice
and the dignity of Government, and the General Court so far as they were
able adopted measures accordingly, and gave full and clear information
to the Insurgents as well as others, of the general situation of public
Affairs.

And Whereas a full and free pardon, for all the outrageous proceedings
against the Government, whereof the Insurgents had been guilty, was
tendered them upon this mild condition alone, that they should be guilty
of such outrages no more, and as evidence of their intentions to demean
themselves in future, as good and faithful citizens should before the
first day of January A.D. 1787 take and subscribe the oath of
Allegiance; it manifestly appears from the subsequent conduct of the
leaders of the Insurgents, that their opposition to Government, has not
arisen from a misapprehension as to the views and disposition of
Government, or from a temporary irritation, arising from the pressure of
supposed grievances, or from a misguided zeal to promote the public
happiness, as has been insidiously asserted, but from a settled
determination to subvert the constitution, and put an end to the
Government of this commonwealth. It is also abundantly manifest that the
conduct of the Insurgents in stopping the Courts of Justice in the
Counties of Worcester and Hampshire, in assembling in arms avowedly to
commit the same outrages in the County of Middlesex, in calling upon the
towns in some Counties to furnish themselves with Arms and Ammunition,
in appointing committees to form their adherents into regular military
companies properly officered thereby to establish within this
Commonwealth a standing force, beyond the controul of and for the
express purpose of opposing in Arms, the constitutional Government of
the State, in endeavouring to encrease the commotions in the Counties
aforesaid, by publickly inviting and alluring others to throw off their
allegiance and join their body, is subversive of all order and
Government, absolutely incompatible with the public safety and
happiness, and is an open, unnatural, unprovoked and wicked rebellion,
against the dignity, authority, and Government of this Commonwealth. And
the Legislature in duty to their constituents in conformity to their
oaths, and virtue of the Authority vested in them by the Constitution
(having ineffectually tried every lenient measure to reclaim them) do
hereby solemnly declare, that a horrid and unnatural rebellion and War,
has been openly and traiterously raised and levied against this
Commonwealth, and is still continued, and now exists within the same,
with design to subvert and overthrow the constitution and form of
Government thereof, which has been most solemnly agreed to, and
established by the citizens of this commonwealth, and that Government
ought and will, with the greatest energy and force, exert and bring
forth all the power of the commonwealth for the suppression thereof; and
all the horrors and evils that may follow in consequence of this
rebellion, must be imputed to those men, who have contrary to the duty
of theft Allegiance and every principle of law and Justice, been the
fomenters, abettors and supporters of the same. In Senate Feby. 4th.
1787. Read and unanimously accepted. sent down for concurrence.

Samuel Phillips, Junr. President

In the house of representatives Feby. 4th. 1787. Read and concurred.

Artemus Ward Speaker

true copy. Attest.

(signed) John Avery, Junr. Secretary.

A motion was made by Mr \[James Mitchell Varnum seconded by Mr
\[William\] Few that the foregoing papers be referred to a committee and
on the question for commitment the yeas and nays being required by Mr
\[Rufus\] King

*{table}*

So it was resolved in the affirmative.

\[Report of Secretary at War on Venango and Fort Mcintosh\]

The Secretary of the United States for the department of War, to whom
was referred a motion, to establish a garrison at Venango, and to
countermand the order for dismantling Fort Mcintosh.

Reports

That in his opinion, the establishment of a post at Venango, at the
confluence of French Creek with the Allegany River, would in case of
hostilities with the Indians, cover a considerable tract of inhabited
country from their incursions, and thereby induce a confidence in the
protection of the United States.

That in case of a party of troops being posted at the said place, it
should be a permanent arrangement; that the commanding officer, should
always possess a sufficient number of Boats, to transport the troops,
their baggage, and Stores, down the Allegany, provided necessity or
convenience, should dictate the measure.

That in a defensive plan for the frontiers, with the present number of
troops, Fort Mc Intosh would also be of service, and while it remains
necessary to observe such a plan, it will be proper to retain a garrison
in said post.

Your Secretary therefore submits the following Resolves to Congress

Resolved, That the Secretary at War be, and he is hereby directed, to
order the commanding Officer of the troops on the Ohio, to detach
immediately one company of Infantry, such Ordnance, and so many of the
Corps of Artillery, as he shall judge proper, to take post at Venango.

Resolved, That the Secretary at War suspend the order for dismantling
Fort Mcintosh.

H Knox

War Office March 9th 1787.

\[Motion of Mr. Mitchell on a report of Secretary for Foreign Affairs

Motion of Mr Mitchell Few 9 March 1787

Ordered That the Secy deliver out of the Office the Report of the Secy
for foreign Affairs on Mr Adams letter relative to infraction of the
treaty to any Member applying for the same.

### Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1787.