History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1766] POLITICAL MATTERS—CENSUS—JAIL—NEW TOWNS. 323
Parliament for compensation from the colony for the losses
occasioned by the rioters. This proposition was discussed
in the House of Deputies at its midsummer session, and a
majority voted against raising- any money by tax to meet
these losses. In this debate, Major Hawley, representative
from Northampton, was bold and outspoken in opposition.
It was on this occasion that he electrified his hearers by the
assertion that ""the Parliament of Great Britain has no
right to legislate for us," and for which he received then
and there the public thanks of his friend and compatriot,
James Otis. A bill was presented which proposed a grant
to meet these losses, on condition that a free pardon should
be given to all persons concerned in the outbreak. In
order to feel the pulse of their constituents, this bill was
printed and sent to the several towns.
The Town acts upon
In Northampton, the matter was brought
the Bill. before the town, November 24^*^, 1766, by
the following article in the warrant : —
*' To consider of a Bill now pending in the House of Representatives
entitled An Act for granting compensation to the Sufferers & of free
& general Pardon, Indemnity & oblivion to the offenders in
times & to give Instructions to their representative for his
about the same."
the late
conduct
^
A committee of five persons, consisting of Capt. [Timothy]
Dwight, Dea. [Ebenezer] Hunt. Mr. Gad Lyman, Mr.
Solomon Stoddard, and Col. Seth Pomeroy, was authorized
to consider the subject and report. At the afternoon
session the committee presented their conclusions.
followed the subjoined action by the meeting —
:
Then
" The Question was put whether they would instruct their represent-
ative to give his vote that the Said Bill Should pass to be enacted, & it
passed in the negative. Then the Question was put whether they
would accept the report of their Said Committee, on the said bill, &
it passed in the negative. Then it was moved that the following Question
might be put, to wit :— Whether it was the mind of the Town
that upon all matters that are or may be under the Consideration of the
Said house of representatives during the present Session, Their representative
Should Act according to his best Judgment & discretion^ on
hearing the debates thereon in that house, whereupon the Said Ques-
tion was put & it passed in the affirmative."
1 Barry's Mass., vol. 2, p. 328.
2 The views of Mr. Hawley, then representative, had already been made known
by him, at the previous session of the legislature.