The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-20
The Instruction In Massachusetts In 1855
and 1857.

and 1857.
The land Of steady habits has often been
very unsteady. In our own time. there are very
funny doings under the very shade of "Bunker's
awful mount" There are turbulent spirits there
now, and 30 there were in days Of yore.
In l7s6 the State Of Massachusetts was SO heavily
buIdened with debt, there was such q decline in
trade, such scarcity VI money, and such use Of
foreign luxuries; there such an immense amount
Of individual indebtedness, and so little active
means for its discharge, that the public treasury
was exhausted, and heavy taxes became necessary
to replenish it.
In August Of that year, delegates from fifty towns
in the county Of Hampshire met together and pro-
nounced against the grievances and the unnecessary
burdens imposed on the people. Conventions were
held in Berkshire AMI Worcester, and soon after
wards 500 men appeared under arms in Northsmp-
ton took possession of the Court House, and broke
up the sittings Of the courts. The Governor then
issued proclamation TO suppress the reasonable
proceedings. This only added fuel TO the flame.
Middlesex and Bristol counties Joined Berk
shire and Worcester. In the latter, three hundred
insurgents took possession Of the Court House, and
same thing occurred; but a similar attempt made
at Taunton, good Lord. !" was foiled by Q body 81
citizens. under the command Of Gen. Cobb.
cul,ies increased up to the 26th Of December Of the
same year, when the Supreme Judicial Court OF the
State met TO hold q term at springfield. The Gene
ral Court or Legislature was not, however unmind-
full Of the distresses of the people, and did all they
could TO alleviate them. They passed lava authc-
IL ing the collection Of unpaid taxes. The specific
articles declared real and personal estate legal
tender in the payment OF debts and executions, aud
reduced the fees Of the lawyers who then, as now,
thrive best in seasons public suffering. Dsnl Shays
who had been q captain In the Revolutionary army,
assumed the command, and with three hundred NAL
s.-sz AZ L.. d..
advance Of the Judges. He requested them not TO
proceed 10 business but 10 proceed somewhere else
they Obliged him by conforming 10 his request,
which, by the by, had been presented In the form
o, humble petition. This triumph was followed up
by general assemblages throughout the State, inter
ruptipg the sittngs VI the courts; and the insar-
gents continued In considerable force at Springfield
about four thonsand militia were called out by the
Governor, and the command given to Gen. Lincoln,
Of the heroes of Saratoga and Yorktown, well
known for Hrmness and yet mildness OF temper.
The first conflict took place at Springfield, where
there was Continental arsenal, and . supply OF
arms. These were guarded by force Of 200 men,
urder Gov. Shepard. On the 25th OF January, Gen.
shsys, as he was called, advanced on the Boston
read at the head Of 100 men, In open column. He
was warned several times Of the danger OF his pro-
c,dure, and told 70 beware OF the consequences;
but he replied he would have the barracks, and APP
preached them within $50 yards A dnal EFFORT was
made by Gov. Shepard TO prevent further difficulty
and the authority Of the Legislature and o. Congress
was set forth. Come any nearer" said Shepard,
" and I will fre,- THAT Is what want says
Shsys. leseening his distance by 100 yards The
der then given TO Gre, but to direct II over the
heads of the insurgents. This, however, only en-
couraged them to advance. At this instant the ar.
tiDery was aimed at the centre Of the col,nn, snd
discharged. Three men were killed on the spot
one wounded man WAS left on the field; al in spite
~ Shays efforts TO recover from the confusion, his
Whole force took to their heels, crying out "Murder"
aid stopping till they eve miles distant
ON the third Of February the main body Of the
" surgents. being still IN arms and al Petersham.
Gen. Lincoln, then at Hesdley, made forced night
l. arch of thirty miles, during violent snow storm.
IL was n complete surprise. The insurgents scam
pered OF without firing n gun; were pursued two
miles and lost one hundred and nfty prisoners The
fugitiyes separated: some returned TO their homes,
and the resi-, including all the prominent leaders,
tcok refuge In New York, Vermont and New Hamp-
rhre.
On the 10th Of March the Legislature appointed
three commissioners 20 settle the difficulties. Under
certain conditions, full pard IN was granted and 100
camc In and took advantage OF the offers. Fourteen
were tried and condemned to DEATH but not suf-
fered the penalty. They were all pardoned. Minot,
who has preserved the details of this instruction,
points to the excellence Of n government which
ruled ts citizens without oppression, and reclaimed
them without severity, and which on this occasion
iiumphed by the spirited use of its constitutional
powers