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

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

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450 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1783.<br />

ities ceased by common consent, and <strong>in</strong> September tbe<br />

treaty was signed and <strong>in</strong>dependence secnred. This year the<br />

selectmen and assessors were made the Committee <strong>of</strong> Correspondence.<br />

Much Counterfeit Added to all tlie otlicr hardships <strong>of</strong> the time,<br />

Money <strong>in</strong> circu- ^as that <strong>of</strong> Counterfeit money. Much <strong>of</strong> it<br />

was <strong>in</strong> circulation, and constables and col-<br />

lectors frequently asked the town to remit to them the<br />

losses occasioned thereby. To put a stop to this practice,<br />

an order to the follow<strong>in</strong>g effect was adopted at the March<br />

meet<strong>in</strong>g : That the Collector <strong>of</strong> Taxes shall susta<strong>in</strong> all<br />

losses either by counterfeit money or by " miscount<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>"<br />

or transport<strong>in</strong>g the same to the Treasurer, "unless such<br />

counterfeit money shall so nearly resemble the true money<br />

as not to be obvious to a careful and prudent observer.<br />

Ferry. Representa- At the Same meet<strong>in</strong>g another order was<br />

tion. More Land passcd direct<strong>in</strong>g an exam<strong>in</strong>ation relative to<br />

the right <strong>of</strong> the town to regulate the ferry<br />

over the Connecticut River, at the east end <strong>of</strong> the town.<br />

The result <strong>of</strong> that <strong>in</strong>quiry was not recorded, but it may be<br />

imag<strong>in</strong>ed that the town would have speedily discovered<br />

what rights it had <strong>in</strong> case <strong>of</strong> any attempt to <strong>in</strong>terfere with<br />

the ferry. A motion was also made at this meet<strong>in</strong>g to dispense<br />

with the attendance <strong>of</strong> both representatives at th&<br />

General Court this year. But this was not quite <strong>in</strong> accordance<br />

with the views <strong>of</strong> the people, and they voted that<br />

"one or the other" <strong>of</strong> the deputies "should be directed to<br />

attend '' at the next session. In order to meet the demands<br />

upon the town, it was found necessary to sell still other<br />

portions <strong>of</strong> the town lands, and a committee was appo<strong>in</strong>ted<br />

to dispose <strong>of</strong> portions <strong>of</strong> it "<strong>in</strong> the nook," and on "Pancake<br />

Pla<strong>in</strong>." The collectors <strong>of</strong> taxes were <strong>in</strong>structed to use<br />

their "best endeavors to collect what is called the great<br />

rate as soon as possible," and lay before the selectmen<br />

with<strong>in</strong> one month an account <strong>of</strong> their several collections.<br />

The latter were to report the result to the town "if they<br />

saw fit."<br />

"

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