History of Massachusetts, from July 1775 ... to the year 1789, inclusive, when the federal government was established under the present constitution

Front matter

HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. HISTORY OB X-I&BSJKDaiUSHUVS FROM JULY, 1775, WHEN GENERAL WASHINGTON TOOK COMMAND OF THE AMERICAN ARMY, AT CAMBRIDGE, TO THE YEAR 1789, (INCLUSIVE,) WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION By ALDEN BRADFORD, AUTHOR OE THE VOLUME OF HISTORY OE MASSACHUSETTS PUBLISHED IN 1822. BOSTON . PUBLISHED BY WEILS AND LILLY. 1825. DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT: District Clerk's Office. BE it remembered, that on the eighteenth day of February A. D. 1825, in the forty ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America. Wells and Lilly, of the said District, have deposited in this Office the title of a Book, the Right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the Words following, to wit .— History of Massachusetts from July. 1775, when General Washington took command of the American Army at Cambridge, to the Year 1789, (inclusive,) when the Federal Go vernment was established under the Present Constitution.

By Alden Bradford, Author of the volume of History of Massachusetts published in 1822. In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to an Act entitled, " An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled, An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned : and extend in? the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching Historical and other Prints." JNO- W. DAVIS, Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. To JOHN ADAMS, David Sewall, William Baylies, George Partridge, Timothy Pickering, Samuel Freeman, Thomas Melville, David Cobb, Peleg Wadsworth, John Brooks, Perez Morton, Judah Alden, Benjamin Pierce, John Popkin, Nathan Rice, Sltrtr Others, who were in civil or military office IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 1775 ; AND WHO, AFTER A LAPSE OF FIFTY TEARS, STILL SURVIVE ; THE PATRIOTIC ASSERTERS, AND INTREPID DEFENDERS, OF AMERICAN FREEDOM, IN THE CABINET AND IN THE FIELD ; WITH GRATITUDE FOR THEIR INVALUABLE SERVICES, AND ADMIRATION OF THEIR UNDAUNTED HEROISM ; THIS VOLUME IS VERY RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY THE WRITER.

Preface

. In a volume, published in 1822, the record of events in Massachusetts was brought down to July 1775. The period embraced by that volume was one of uncommon political interest. It Avas from 1765 to 1775, that the controversy between the government of England and the people in the thir teen American colonies, then a part of the British empire, which issued in their independence, took place and was continued : and, as the dispute was more particularly and uniformly maintained by the Assembly of Massachusetts, than in any other colony, previously to a resort to arms in defence of constitutional rights, when petitions, remonstrances and arguments had failed, it was considered pro per to give a full statement of it. Soon after the affair of Lexington and Concord, when it appeared that the British resolved to support their arbitrary measures by the sword, the Continental Congress concluded to make a common cause with Massachusetts ; provided for an army to be raised by all the colonies unitedly; and appointed General Washington to take the command of it.

After this event, the contest having assumed a more military character, and being supported by the united strength of all the provinces, the history of Massachusetts becomes more connected with the general proceedings of the whole : and as the theatre of the war for many months after the epoch above mentioned, was in that province, a record of events which there occurred will include the important transactions of all the colonies in opposition to British usurpation. A principal part of the force opposed to the ministerial troops was also furnished by Massachusetts, for some time after the organization of the continental army. In the subsequent periods of the revolutionary war, though the leading events which took place in the United States have been preserved by able writers, the particular efforts of Massachusetts have not been fully recorded.

A faithful narra tive will show, that her citizens did not relax in their exertions after the seat of war was removed to other parts of the continent ; but that the same zeal was exhibited and support given, through the whole contest, which appeared in its early stages. The writer of this volume has been sensible of the difficulty of doing full justice to Massachusetts, without referring to events of a general nature, in which all the states were concerned. It has been his endeavour, to give only a concise and rapid statement of transactions in other parts of the United States. A general and connected view seemed to be proper, in stating the particular efforts and services of Massachusetts ; as these were rendered, in most cases, in compliance with the requisitions of the continental Congress, and com posed a part of the united exertions of America for freedom and independence.

He hopes he has not dwelt too much upon transactions, in which all the states were engaged ; nor omitted to notice such as particularly regarded the state of Massa chusetts. It was asserted by some members of the con vention in Massachusetts, January 1788, which adopted the federal constitution, that, for several years of the war, this state furnished nearly one third of the continental army. It will be seen in this volume, that the portion of troops required of Massachusetts, was very great, and that the num ber requested was usually raised. It will be re collected also, that general Washington acknowl- VOL. II. edged, on several occasions, that, but for the Mas sachusetts regiments, the regular army would have been insufficient for attack or defence. Although it had an extensive sea coast, of upwards of five hundred miles, to protect by its own militia, the most prompt measures were taken to procure the troops called for to join the continental army in distant parts of America.

The state also advanced large sums to these troops, to induce them to engage in the public service ; and when the ac counts of the several states were adjusted, at the close of the war, it was found that Massachusetts had borne more than her just portion of the pub lic burdens. The history of Massachusetts, after the peace of 1783, during several succeeding years, is very im portant. The immense debt, for which it had to provide payment, and the embarrassments on trade, occasioned a general discontent and complaint among the people, which impeded the regular course of law and threatened to destroy all social order. It was a period of great public distress and alarm ; and nothing but uncommon wisdom and firmness in the rulers saved the Common wealth from the evils of anarchy. The establishment of the federal government over the whole United States, which took place soon after the period just mentioned, was also an event of great interest in the country ; and the proceedings in Massachusetts, relative to it, merit particular notice.

With a deep sense of the importance of accu racy, fidelity, and impartiality in those who profess to give a correct record of events, or a just cha racter of public men, it is unnecessary, perhaps, to add, that it has been the constant endeavour of the writer, in this as in the former volume, to have the statements given strictly conformable to truth ; and that he has been anxious not to advance any thing as fact, upon conjecture, or to give party representations as a substitute for prevalent public opinion. Boston, 12th February, 1825. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

jV umber and condition of troops at Cambridge, July 1775 . . . Reasons for not attacking the British in Boston ...Character of Washington . . . Genealsin the army. .. Supply of men and powder by Massachusetts ...The affair of Machias . . . Expedition to Lake Champlain . . . Defensive war only yet intended . .. Character of Hancock, T. dishing, Samuel Adams, J. Adams, R. T. Paiue James Warren ---------- 1

CHAPTER 11.

House of Representatives chosen . . . Conformity to ancient charter . . . Delay of judicial establishments . . . Choice of Counsellors . . . Measures of defence . . . Finances . . . Paper mnney . . . Debts increase . . . Requisitions of General Congress . . . Army organised . . . Small pox . . . Privateers . . . Forts built at Winter Hill, &c. . . . Sea coast guarded . . . Committee of Continental Congress visit Cambridge ... Troops ordered for 1776... Views of Congress on Separation from Britain . . . Agents to treat with Indians . . . Affair at Cape Ann . . . Falmouth burnt and Bristol attacked . . . Judges and Justices appointed . . . Gun powder imported from West Indies ... Debts 3«

Chapter III

Views of the Colonies September 1775 ... Expedition to Quebec by way of Kennebec . . . Unsuccessful . . . Armed Vessels . . . British ships captured . . . Captain Manly . . . Treachery of Dr. Church . . . Militia tailed out ... Colonel Knox brings cannon from Tyconderoga ... Resolve of Representatives justifying a resort to arms.. . Meditated attack on Boston . . . Dorchester heights fortified . . . Conduct of Washington approved by Congress ... Militia organized ... Nantucket ... Suspension of civil suits ... Refugees ... Regiment raised for Quebec - - - CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

British troops leave Boston ... Public Funeral of General Warren... Washington's entrance into Boston . . . Northern Expedition . . . Death of General Thomas . . . Independence proposed . . . Troops raised for defence of the Province • ..Captain Mugford ...British ships driven from Boston harbour ... Militia to reinforce regular army ... Spirit of Massachusetts' Legislature . . . Great efforts and sacrifices . . . Independence declared . . . Proposition for new Constitution . . . New levies of Militia . . . Paper money depreciated. ------------- 92

Chapter V

Continental army for 1777 . . . Slavery forbidden . . . Several calls for militia .. . Invasion of Rhode Island under general Lincoln — Military stores from France . . . Monopolies and depreciation . . . Additional State troops, and drafts of militia --------------- 122

Chapter VI

General Court 1777 . . . Expedition to Nova Scotia . . . Constitution prepared by General Court, and rejected by the people . . . 4th of July ... Militia to reinforce northern army ... Secret expedition to Rhode Island . . . Bourgoyne checked and captured . . . Affairs at the south . . . Capture of captain Manly ------------- 138

Chapter VII

Taxes . . . Men raised for defence of the state, and for the continental army . . . Addresses to the people . . . Confederation . . . Judges . . . General Court sit in Roxbury .. .Constitution disapproved in 1778 ... British at Newport . . . French Fleet . . . Americans retreat . . . Lafayette . . . Fort Alden taken. . .British commissioners offer terms of peace . . . General Gates commands in Boston ... Opinion of British statesmen - 152

Chapter VIII

Refugees . . . Taxes . . . Law against Extortion . . . Scarcity . . . Various measures of defence . . . Depreciation . . . New calls for militia . . . Convention for new Constitution . . . Large sums called for by Congress . . . Penobscot Expedition ... Conventions to prevent extortion ... Additional troops, both for state and continental service . . . Public Fast General Lincoln in Georgia and South Carolina . . . Constitution formed CONTENTS. and accepted . . . Order of Congress to call in paper money . . . Debt of the state . . . Complaints of the people . . . Tioops in Maine . . . Academy of Arts and Sciences . . . Dark day ---------- - 171

Chapter IX

State of the country . . . More militia ordered . . . Treachery of Arnold . . . General Court under new constitution ... Governor's speech ... Burdens and complaints of people ... Loans ... Militia at northward... Recruits for army ... Large bounties ... Committee to revise laws .. . Further discontents . . . Great taxes . . . New calls of Congress . . . Excise acts . . . And impost proposed . . . Militia marched to Rhode Island, and to New York . . . Capture of Cornwallis . . . renewed military preparations ... Complaints. .. Riot in Hampshire ------ 194

Chapter X

Prospect of peace . . . Massachusetts urge security of fisheries . . . Ministers so instructed ... National bank ... Supreme court ... Illicit trade forbidden . . . Distresses of soldiers on their discharge . . . Alarming combination among part of the officers . . . Great taxes . . . Relief for debtors ...Impost and continental taxes. .. Refugees ... General Court for 1783 . . . Members of Congress . . . Peace . . . Governor urges attention to public credit . . . Slavery wholly condemned . . . Census . . . Requisitions of Congress . . . British debts . . . Eastern boundary . . . Governor Hancock resigns. . . New excise . . . Complaints of British importations 213

Chapter XI

Mr. Bowdoin governor ... His opinions and Speech ... Proposes more power to Congress ... Embarrassments on commerce ... Plan to pay debt . . , British captain's insolence . . . Old taxes not collected . . . New ones assessed . . . Criminals confined to labour . . , Convention in Maine . . . Proposal to authorise Congress to regulate commerce . . . Convention proposed for revising confederation . . . Mr. Bowdoin governor 1786 . . . Urges payment of debt -------------- 236

Chapter XII

Convention in Hampshire county . . . Also in other countries — Complaints of taxes and courts . . . Courts interrupted . . . Militia called out to support government ... Extra session of the General Court ... Approve of the conduct of the governor ... And endeavour to provide relief for the CONTENTS. people . . . Middlesex militia . . . County conventions renewed and forci ble opposition to government ... Settlement of dispute with New York . . . Courts again obstructed . . . Insurgents embodied . . . And militia called out ------------------ 260

Chapter XIII

Measures adopted to quell the Insurrection . . .General Lincoln commands the Militia . . . Marches to Worcester . . . Insurgents retire, but collect at Springfield . . . Fired upon by General Shepard . . . Pursued by Lincoln . . . Posted at Pelham . . . General Court meet and approve of the conduct of the governor . . . Rebellion declared . . . Shays marches to Petersham . . . Surprised and dispersed by general Lincoln . . . His conduct approved . . . Insurgents in Berkshire subdued . . . Commissioners appointed to grant pardons ... Several convicted of treason by Supreme Court - - 286

Chapter XIV

Mr. Hancock chosen governor . . . Great part of General Court new members . . . Policy not materially changed . . . Insurgents still dangerous in western counties ... Resident in Vermont ... Governor authorised to continue troops in the public service . . . Salaries . . . Insurgents pardoned. . . State of the Commonwealth . . . High taxes . . . Federal Constitution ... Approved in Massachusetts by a small majority . . . Objections to it . . .Arguments for it Amendments.. . Rejoicing on its adoption . . . Subsequent prosperity . . . Amount of claims on the United States . .. Mint . . . Manufactures . . . Slave trade prohibited -------311

Chapter XV

Mr. Hancock governor . . . His popularity . . . Dispute respecting the Captaincy of the Castle and of the salary of the lieutenant governor... Representatives to Congress . . . Number and mode of chosing Electors of President and Vice-President ... Address to the President ... Two brass field pieces. . . Mr. Hancock governor, May 1789. . . His speech . . . Law for Public Schools ... Finances. .. New Counties in Maine... Washington's visit . . . Effects of Federal Government - - - - 331 Appendix Biauomv OE MASSACHUSETTS.

Chapter I

Number and condition of troops at Cambridge, July 1775 . . . Reasons for not attacking the British in Boston . . . Character of Washington . . . Genealsinthe army. .. Supply of men and powder by Massachusetts. . . The affair of Machias . . . Expedition to Lake Champlain . . . Defensive war only yet intended— Character of Hancock, T. Cushing, Samuel Adams, J. Adams, R. T. Paine, J. Warren. When General Washington, by appointment of the Continental Congress, took command of the Ame rican troops in the vicinity of Boston, the third of July, 1775, they were estimated at about 15,000. Of these, more than 9,000 belonged to Massachu setts ; Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island furnished the residue. They had assem bled at Cambridge and Roxbury, soon after the attack, by a detachment of the British army in Boston on the defenceless citizens of the province VOL. II. at Lexington and Concord.

These troops, collected to oppose a large and disciplined army, were none other than the yeomanry of the country, with such arms as could be suddenly procured ; though a small portion of them, denominated " minute men," had been occasionally trained to military duty, for a few months before. The whole colo nial force had been under the command of general Ward, whose head-quarters were in Cam bridge; general Thomas commanding the right wing at Roxbury, and general Putnam of Connec ticut the left wing, on Prospect Hill, in the west erly part of Charlestown. On the arrival of Wash ington at Cambridge, as commander in chief, Ward was placed over the right wing in Roxbury ; and Lee, then lately appointed a major general by Congress, had the command of the left, on Pros pect Hill. The American army did not consist of so many men, as had been represented to general Wash ington ; or, as a short period before his arrival, were assembled in arms, in the neighbourhood of the metropolis.

Several companies, which were marched at the moment of alarm, had returned to their respective homes. At one time, they had been estimated at 18,00Q. If it was in the design of Washington immediately to commence offensive operations against the British troops, and to drive them from the capital of Massachusetts, his plan must have been disconcerted on finding the Ame ricans less numerous than he had expected ; and his resolution for the attempt yet more shaken, by witnessing the deficiency of arms and the great want of discipline and subordination among the troops he was appointed to command. To organize and discipline an army of such ma terials, of men who had seen little actual service and who were unacquainted with military tactics ; and to render them formidable to regular troops ; was a work requiring time, intelligence and prudence.

The yeomanry of Massachusetts and of the other New England Colonies were, indeed, brave, resolute, and ready for any enterprize however ha zardous. But they were the lords of the soil, and they acknowledged no higher and lower grades among them, in which some were entitled to com mand, and others bound to obey. To civil au thority, they were certainly most obedient. But happily they knew nothing of standing armies ; and officers of the militia, being chosen from the great body of citizens, and usually retaining their com mission only for a few years, acquired no peculiar respect, by which their commands would be promptly and uniformly obeyed. The first great object of the commander in chief, therefore, was to produce a spirit of subordination ; and to per suade the people, both in and out of the American camp, of the absolute necessity of military discipline and of strict obedience to superior officers.

With all his prudence and address, and enthusias tic as they were in the cause of freedom and of their country, his wishes were but partially accom plished, until some time after the commencement of the war. The subaltern officers frequently de parted from the camp for several days, without leave of absence : and whole companies, claiming to have come as volunteers, left the army, con trary to the desires of the commander in chief. At a subsequent period, though their term of en listment had expired, but against the urgent request of Washington, as the army had become much reduced, the whole Connecticut line was disbanded and returned to their homes. Another very serious difficulty prevented the plan of offensive warfare at this early period of the contest. The troops were deficient in good fire arms, for many which they brought with them were almost unfit for use.

Nor was it possible en tirely to remedy the deficiency, though great ex ertions were immediately made for that purpose. Of the necessary article of gun-powder, there was also a most alarming deficiency. And there were at this time, very few cannon in the American army, so essential in storming a fortified town. To the want of an efficient artillery corps may justly be attributed the defeat of the Provincial troops at Bunker's Hill, on the 17th of June.* It was evidently, then, the dictate of sound discretion in the commander in chief, to refrain from an immediate attack on the British troops in Bos ton, who would probably have been provoked to retaliate upon the besiegers ; and these would not have been able, in their unprepared condition, to repel the assault. It is matter of surprise, how ever, that the British general, with a regular army, so amply prepared for the contest, did not attempt to force the American lines, and disperse the provincial troops, who were so deficient in dis cipline and in military stores.

These considera tions are sufficient to justify general Washington, in not acting more decidedly on the offensive at this period. To which may be added, the reluctance of the opulent citizens of Boston to an attempt to * There were only four brass field pieces in the whole American armv at this time. drive the British by force from the town, as st great destruction of property would probably be the consequence : and the system of opposition, deliberately adopted by the colonists, being then merely defensive, would not well consist with a more vigorous hostility, than preparations to pre vent the ministerial army from marching into the country for plunder, and to meet it with a good face, at a future dav, if a reconciliation should not be effected with the parent state. For even at this period, and for several months later, though the sword had been drawn, and the blood of Americans, wantonly spilt, called on the people for vengeance, there was still a hope that administration would recede from its despotic measures, and that the rights of Americans would be acknowledged without further hostilities.

Many intelligent citizens also who were warmly opposed to the conduct of the British cabinet, were averse from the idea of Independence. And the lan guage of the Continental Congress was in favour of reconciliation, upon the recognition of the civil authority of the Colonial Assemblies, as had been formerly exercised. When, nearly twelve months after this, the question of Independence was discussed, it was not without great reluctance, that several eminent patriots consented to the measure.* The appointment of general Washington to command the American army was a most fortu nate selection. Perhaps, no other individual in the colonies would have been competent to the place and the occasion. He possessed, in an emi- * Mr. Dickinson, the celebrated author of the Farmer'.' Letters, was one of these. nent degree, all the qualities necessary to a great general ; particularly, to form and direct an army composed of men like the Americans.

He came to the office with a high reputation for patriotism, intelligence and experience. In a former war between England and France, he had seen some thing of military plans and movements. And he had given proofs of great prudence and judgment, as well as of personal courage. Had he been im petuous like Putnam, or rashly bold like Arnold, the colonial army had probably been exposed to total defeat. But with great decision and energy of character, sufficient for the most daring enter prize, he united all the prudence and caution so important in the commander of a feeble and in cipient army. His disposition and manners were such also as to win the affections of all ingenuous minds : and yet the disobedient and refractory were certain to receive that prompt infliction of punishment so requisite to military order and submission.

He never exposed the lives of the soldiers unnecessarily; nor hazarded an attack on his enemy, where the prospect of success was very doubtful, except in cases where public opin ion seemed loudly to call for action. If he was ever compelled to an act of apparent severity, it was a sacrifice of feeling to imperious duty; when the good of the country demanded it, and the rules of war rendered it justifiable.* Unprepared * Extracts from his orders to general Arnold, who com manded the expedition to Quebec by the way of Kennebec, Sept, 1775, " You will observe the strictest discipline and order, by no means suffering any inhabitant to be abused, or in any manner injured, either in his person property, punishing with exemplary severity every person who shall transgress, and making ample compensation to the party inas the colonists were at first to meet the regular troops of Britain in the open field, he was re markably fitted to direct their military move ments ; to restrain the resolute, to inspirit the timid, and to create an army, adequate to the re pulsion of British mercenaries, and to the estab lishment of American freedom.

His love of liberty was ardent and unextinguishable. In him, it was a most elevated and holy sentiment, unalloy ed by selfishness or ambition. Had the British troops been too powerful for the American army ; had they taken possession of the Atlantic settlements and planted the standard of despotism on the cultivated lands of Anglo-Americans ; he had resolved to retire to the western mountains, with the chosen sons of liberty who should adhere to him; and there build up another empire of civil freedom. Charles Lee, Esq. then recently appointed major general, by the Continental Congress, joined the army at Cambridge at this time. He had been several years in the English service, in which he acquired a high reputation for courage, and dis played considerable military talents. But it was supposed he cherished some feelings of rivalship toward general Washington, and even aspired to the chief command of the American army.

At a subsequent period, his conduct fully jutified this jured. If Lord Chatham's son should be in Canada, and, by any means, fall into your power, you are enjoined to treat him with all possible deference and respect ; you cannot err in paying too much honour to the son of such an illustrious character, and so true a friend to America. Any other pri soners who may fall into your hands, you will treat with as much humanity and kindness as may be consistent with your own safety and the public interest ." opinion. The citizens belonging to Massachusetts, who received commissions from the General Con gress, at this time, were Artemas Ward, major general, Seth Pomeroy, John Thomas and William Heath, as brigadiers.* The Provincial Congress of Massachusetts was in session, at this time, in Watertown, and on the arrival of general Washington at head-quarters in Cambridge, they appointed a committee to wait on him, with assurances of perfect respect and confidence, and of readiness to render him all the aid, which the resources of the province would admit.

He had been instructed by the Continen tal Congress to consult the civil authority of Mas sachusetts ; and, in his military operations, to con form, as far as possible, to its direction and advice. The most perfect harmony was maintained be tween them, while the American army continued within the province. He had been at Cambridge but a few days, be fore he made a request for a reinforcement of the army of 3,000 men, to be raised immediately, with in the province of Massachusetts, which already furnished about three fourths of the troops then collected. An order was promptly passed by the Provincial Congress for enlisting this number, and the several towns in Middlesex and the adjoining counties were required to raise their respective quotas, though, a few days after, a counter order was issued, at the suggestion of the commander in chief.

The call was made when the move ments of the British in Boston indicated an attack upon the American lines, and on finding that the * Putnam of Connecticut and Schuyler of New York were appointed Major Generals in the continental army. troops at Cambridge and Roxbury were not so numerous as had been represented. Some recruits arrived from the southern colonies in the mean time, even as far as Virginia ;* and the fear of a sortie from the besieged in Boston subsiding, it was concluded to suspend the execution of the order, as to two thousand. At the same time, a request was made by general Washington for gun-powder ; an order was sent out, by the Provincial Congress, to all the towns within forty miles, to furnish a quantity from their regular stock, and a large amount was immediately collected.