***Gen. William Shepard to Gen. Henry Knox, 1790 or later***

Sir, *(undated)*

A Sense of our Friendship, while we were connected as Officers of the
late Army of the United States, as well as Knowledge of our Desire to
have all Millitary Service, which have been performed with Fidelity, in
Defense of our Country, rewarded so far as She may merit it, prompt one
to make to you the following Representation and ask your kind and
usefull Advice thereon.

What I would particularly allude to, Sir, is my past Service, as a Major
Generall of the Militia, in the County of Hampshire, at Springfield, and
other parts of the County, during the Insurgency in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and my sufferings resulting there from.- a Service which
was tedious and hazardous to me as well as highly injurious to my
domestic Business -- which called for all the Money I could personally
furnish or procure on my own Credit for the necessary Exertions,
attendant on my Duty at that distressing Time -- which excited against
me the keenest Resentments of the disappointed Insurgents, manifested in
the most pointed Injurys, such as burning my Fences, injuring my
Woodlands, by Fire, beyond a Recovery for many Years -- wantonly &
cruelly butchering two valuable Horses, whose ears were cut off and Eyes
bored out before they were killed \~ insulting me personally with the
vile Epithet of the Murderer of my Brethren, and, through anonimous
Letters, repeated by threatening me with the Destruction of my House and
Family by Fire.- which kind of Injuries I occasionally experience even
to this day.-

For those Sufferings and Losses sustained I had entertained hopes of
receiving some Compensation from the Government of the Commonwealth, or
at least a full reimbursement of the Moneys I had expended in that
Expedition -- I accordingly started an Account with the Commonwealth,
charging them with the Sums I had paid out in Money and some Small
Matter for supporting the Horses of the Expresses who put up at my
House, which amounted, I think in the whole of the Sum of Sixty five
pounds. I also credited the Commonwealth with the Sum of Fifty pounds,
which they had furnished me during the Campaign, whereupon, a Balance
remained in my Favor, of about Fifteen Pounds, which Balance was, on the
Settlement, not allowed but wholly disallowed\[?\], and thereby a Saving
made to the Publick of the said Sum of Fifteen pounds,- which, though
but a small gain to them, is of essential Consequence to me,
particularly as I was obliged to dispose of a final Settlement
Certificate of Eleven hundred and thirteen Dollars, at less that four
Shillings on the pound to repay a part of the Money I borrowed before I
received any from the Commonwealth \~\~\~\~\~ thus in this one Instance
only did I make a Sacrifice of my property for the Service of the
Publick, which my personall Embarrassments, tho sufficiently
distressing, had not been able to compel one to.

Those Loses and Disappointments, added to other Complexities, sett
heavily upon me and I find myself, form duty to a large Family, under
the Necessity of seeking Relief from some suitable Quarter and asking,
for that purpose, the Assistance of some friend whose humanity of heart
would incline and whose Knowledge and Concerns in the publick Business
would enable him to afford every needed Direction and Aid.- \[*crossed
out*: therefore have I troubled you with my application\] -- my Mind
immediately recalled Gen'l Knox as that able Friend and I feel
encouraged from a \[*crossed out*: Recollection\] remembrance that when
you required me to take the Charge and Care of the important Arsenal on
Springfield Hill, you led me to Hope I should be paid for the Service of
defending it provided I should not receive an adequate Reward from the
Commonwealth -- My Friends have suggested an Application to the Clemency
& Liberallity of Congress and from any part I view it as the last and
only Resort that is left me --

I therefore, Sir, request your kind Consideration of my Circumstances as
I have related them -- your Opinion whether such Application to Congress
will be expedient and your Direction as to what Mode of Statement will
be most likely to convey to that honorable Body an adequate Idea of the
Matter and obtain such Relief as they, in their Wisdom, may think fit to
grant.-

I gave been lately informed, Sir, that an Officer is to be appointed, as
Agent to superintend the Affairs of the Six Nations of Indians, and
being desirous of procuring some Office under Government, the Emoluments
of which may help me in obtaining a decent Support in Life, I must
further trouble you with a Request of your Assistance in procuring one,
which Birth if you should my part Services and present Character &
Abillities shall merit it.

Your Friendship, in the foregoing Matters, will highly oblige, greatly
serve and be most gratefully acknowledged by

Sir

Your most obedient

And very humble servant --

\[*written on back of same letter*\]

Dr. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts to

William Shepard, M. G. of the 4^th^ Division of Militia

1787 To reviewing Col. Wettmore's Reg't 2 days .18.

\[*crossed out*: Expenses for myself & Aid & Expenses\] .10.

1788 To reviewing 9 Regiments of Militia 12 days 5. 8.

Expenses for myself & two Aids 3. .

1789 To reviewing 9 Regiments of Militia 12 days 5. 8.

Expenses for myself & two aids 3. 6 .

1790 To reviewing 7 Regiments of Militia 8 days 3.12.

Expenses for myself & two Aids 3. .

To Twelve Quires\[\*\] of Paper. \@1/4 [.16.]{.underline}

*L* 26.6.

Edit.: \[\*\] "Quire, s. 24 sheets" (**[*Dictionary*,]{.underline}** E.
Merriam, Brookfield, Massachusetts, 1804)

**William Shepard papers:**

**Memorial Libraries**

**P.O. Box 53**

**Deerfield, MA 01342**