Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-08

The period of history from the close of the
old French war to the commencement of the
Revolution, so full ofeXciting events, and STIR
ring incidents, has been occupied by all Amer
lean historians, and the familiar to all readers
The compiler has therefore made sparing use
of the ample material furnished to his hand,
selected such as may appear original and fresh
although of ancient date.
Joshua Henshaw, son of Joshua one of the
first proprietors of Leicester, and Brother of
Daniel, OF that town, was highly respected
citizen OF Boston, some years on the board OF
selectmen, and often associated Oh important
committees with James Otis, Samuel Adams,
John Hancock and their like, and his two sons
Joshua, ir., and Andrew were active and influ-
entail in cheering ON the boys and keeping pub.
Tic feeling up to fever heat. Then there was
Joseph, SON OF Daniel, of Leicester, still living
in Boston, in middle age, an earnest wing;
firm, energetic, bold, prudent, wealthy, he left
his mark in every movement. He moved from
Boston to Leicester in 1878, This distribution
of families and location of friends, will account
for the ready sympathy and active co.opera-
ton between Boston and Leicester, at the
time we are speaking of, other families and
connections were similarly situated, and no
doubt communicated freely between town and
country to promote unity of feeling
discussion in the British Parliament as to
their right to tax the Colonies produced great
excitement in Boston, calling out James Otis,
Jr.'s "Rights of British Colonies" and "Dum-
mer's Defence of New England charters"
a London Gazette described the state of feel
ing on this side of the water, thus "All
America seems to be in a violent agitation
they sing up and down the streets Of Boston,
the down fall of Old England, and the rise of
New" From 1866 to 1863, seems to have
been time of much irritation and hot blood.
Several m nv a n
Corner of the frigate Romney and a sloOp
loaded with merchandise from foreign port
owned by John Hancock, was seized by Gus
tom house officers, on charges OF false entry,
by the master of the sloop. This produced a
riot and conflict between officers of tina customs
and citizens. A town meeting was called,
and committee appointed, consisting OF
James Otis, John Hancock, Joshua Henshaw,
William Phillips Samuel Adams and John Row
to confer with his Excellency, but as would
seem, without obtaining satisfaction. Soon
after large meeting was called a Faneuil Hail.
which being to small for the assembly, they
adjourned to the Old South, where an address
to the Governor was adopted, and a committee
OF twenty-one appointed to present the same.
This numerous committee called in a body on
his eXceency at his country seat at Jamaica
Plains, and presented the address. Gov. Bar
nard received them, their report says, "wiih
all possible civility," and promised an answer
in writing the following day. His answer
"was expressed in the miIdest possible terms"
but 1t was only to gain time to strengthen his
position. None Of the grievances complained
of were removed, hut fresh causes OF irritation
daily occurred. All intercourse between the
executive and provincial assembly was con
Quoted in a spirit of antagonism When in
formation Of the state of public affairs iii BOS-
ton reached the mother country, the ministry
ordered two regiments of militia and Il com
pany Of artillery from Ireland. News OF the
embarkaton of this armament produced great
Indignation; two meetings were called and
kept organized day after day, committees ap.
pointed for different purposes, one to wait upon
the governor, and humbly enquire what these
things meant, another to petition him TO "call
general assembly with the utmost speed"
another to "take the state of our public affairs
into consideration" The subsequent arrival
of twelve man-Ot,war vessels in the harbor
emptying upon the town, into public buildings
and private residences a thousand mercenary
troops, with their hated red skirted coats, eX.
asperated the people to madness As describ-
ed by royal magistrate, "matters now exceed
ed all former eXceedmgs." The eXcitementin
Boston was communicated to every town in
the province, and notes Of remonsTance, or de-
fiauce from Eaneuii Hall were promptly echoed
back in burning words from various towns in
Worcester county. Leicester held frequent
town meetings to choose committees Of safety,
of correspondence and non-comsumption, to
pass resolutions, and instruct her delegate to
the general court Letters from torn breath
ing determined spirit, expressed in strong
language were, no doubt, fair transcript OF the
prevailing feeling at the time of their dates
but are quite too voluminous to copy here, in
full, and few are transcribed as a specimen.
Joshua Henshaw Jr., to William Henshaw
BosroN, June Is, 176S.
Cousin William BY this it is probable you
have heard some imperfect account of our late
grievances [ mean with respect to the treat
ment which the town and all trading with it
have met with from the man-ofwar but es.
peeially with respect to the sCsure of a sloop
belonging to Mr.. Hancock. Though this may
be the case a concise narration OF facts will
not be disagreeabe presume. John Hancock,
Esq, having a soop at his wharf, out of use,
and his stores being full, thought he might do as
has been the common practice, that is, make Il
store house of his sloOp. Accordingly Re put
a number of casks Of oil in her, intending as
soon as his ship was ready to receive them, to
move into her. But it seems the intention of
some was very different, for last Friday, about
the suns setting Mr.. Hallowell and Mr. Har-
rison's son were on Mr.. Hancock's wharf,
when the man of.war sent her boat off 10 the
in order to take possession after she was seized
Capt Malcomb and another man were upon
the wharf, who had some high words with
them, las | hear) but it soon appeared that
they were not sufficient and two other boats
with marines were dispatched to assist them.
The people belonging to that part Of the town
began to assemble, and with stones defended
her so long as the tasts were cut seven times,
and then she was taken, and carried alongside
q 81, L..
they Immediately turned upon Mr.. Hallowell
and young Mr. Harrison, and pushed them
about the wharf for some time. 1t is said that
young Mr.. Harrison would not have been so
treated, had it not been for Mr.. Hallowell, who
endeavUrel to put il off upon him. The peo-
pie quilted them and proceeded collecting as
they VENT to Long Wharf and there met with
Mr.. Irving one of the under officers. He i'm
prudenty used some harsh language and
threatened drawing his sword upon the first
man that touched him; upon which they seized
him and made him repent of his expression.
They searched the British Coffee House for
officers of tile man-ot-war, but found none.
Then went to Mr.. Hallowells Mr. Harrison's,
and Inspector Williams houses and broke
rev squares of glass in each; then went to
ohVer's Dock and took Mr. Harrson's pleas
Hre ooat, drew 1t up Kings street, and through
inc mann street to Liberty Tree up Frog Lane
ana INTO the common, and there consumed
ner WINE 1t was burning, Mr.. Tisdale from
taunton was observed to look as | am in.
inrneu, number OF people in the face, as
hat and wig soon went Off and he was kicked
out OF the common. Here ended that avon,
ing's doings. The Council and House haze
the whole affair under consideration TIC
sons of liberty had meeting Yesterday in he
forenoon at Liberty Hail. where some of Inc