The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-07-27


rection. and TO this article we are indebt
ed for some Particulars.
Daniel Shays an illiterate and low mind
ed man, but possessed of physical cour'
age, served in our revolution with the rank
Of CAPTAIN. Some idea may be formed
of his character from the circumstance
tina he sold the sword and other military
equipments, presented 10 him by the Mar
uuis de Lafayette, as a mark of honor
The close OF the Revolutionary war left
the public and private finances Of Massa'
chusetts in state Of deplorable confu-
sion. The public debt being $4,000, GOO,
it was of course necessary TO resort to
heavy taxation to meet the demands upon
the Treasury. In 1882, in consequence
Of The number Of debtors, the Legislature
passed ReliefSAcl, "requiring creditors
to receive in payment for their debts, cat
tie and other specified articles Of property
rendered by the Debtors" This act was
Intellectual, people we're exasperaled and
harrassed, the reli cf act was suspended,
and the debtors united for the purpose
of prescribing legal officers and breaking
down the power Of The law. They ex-
cluded lawyers from seat in the General
Court, but finding themselves still har-
rassed, and laying all the blame on the
Government and Judiciary, in l7S6, they
assembled in arms in various shire towns,
and prevented the sitting Of The Courts.
Shays marched upon Springfield at the
head OF 1000 men TO prevent the sitting
Of the Supreme Court, but finding the
court house occupied by Gen. VIM. Shep-
hard and 600 men, retired with his troops.
Under provision, an act passed by the
Legislature to suspend the writ of Habcas
Corpus, and authorising Gov. Bowdoin to
seize and imprison any rebel, several in
surgenls were arrested and confined in
Boston Jail.
Hampshire County was the stronghold
of the rebels, aud here Shays rallied his
troops. He succeeded finally in obtaining
possession of the Court House al Spring
field, and holding it with 800 men.
The Governor then authorised the rails
ing of body Of 44OO men, rank and file,
which were placed under the command Of
General Lincoln, and body Of them ar.
rived at Worcester 10 protect the Court,
on the 22d Of January, l7S7. Mean
win le, Gen. Sheppard was posted at the
arsenal in Springfield with body of about
100 militia. Against this force, Shays,
with Luke Day and Eli Parson, another
insursent chief, marched at the head Of
nearly 1000 men, and halling in the vi
cinily Of tho post, sent the following mes
sage 10 Gen. Sheppard.
HEAD QUARTERS, !
West Springfield, Jan. 25th.
"The body Of the people assembled in
arms, adhering to the first principles in
natural seli-preservalion, do, in the most
percmptOry manner demand,
/. THAT the troops i'll Springfield lay
down their arms.
2. "rhas their arms be deposited in the
public stores, under the care oflh proper
officers, to be returned to the owners at
the termination of the present contest.
3. THAT the troops return to their
homes upon parole.
10 the Commanding Officer at
Springfield, Jan. 25th, 1857.
Luke Day, Captain Cummandant Of this
division'
On the back--"By Col. Eli Parson,"
Gen. Sheppard, OH seeing the advance
of the insurgent force, sent an aid to de-
mand all explanation of the movement,
and to warn ohays Of the consequences OF
persising. The insugent leader replied
he woulu have possession Of the barracks.
Gen. Sheppard indicated certain line,
and told Shuys that if he passed it, he
should fire OH him, and the guns were ac'
! lcordingly depressed towards the centre oi
the advancing column. The rebels con.
,inued 20 advance, and Gen. Sheppard
pieces were discharged.
This put 10 flight The entire rebel force.
They fled. leaving three dead and one
wounded, for distance Of ten miles,
The men under Shays were brave and
fearless, and many Of them had stood up
against the hottest of an rncmy's fire, they
were daunted not by TIC force of their op
Ponenls, but by the weakness Of their
cause. The following letter despatched
by Shays to Gen. Sheppard, affords a
pretty lair specimen Of the literary abil
lies of The rebel leader:
TO Gen. Sheppard or the Commanding g
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