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

468 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1^83.
tially from that of previous attempts of tlie kind. The
people presented their grievances, and prayed for relief.
But their burdens were not lifted, and little was done or
could be done towards lightening them. The discussion of
grievances still proceeded, but still the people were taxed,
and still their debts were unpaid. Money was yet an almost
unknown quantity. Legislation failed to alleviate the distress,
and the future developed no sign of improvement.
From Mr. JudcVs In fliis conuection, the comments of Mr,
Diary. Judd of Southampton, who was an active
member of the convention, are of importance.
He was a strong conservative and had little sympathy
with the malcontents. His diary reads : —
Z'"- Wednesday 7 [August] set out at ly^. Stopt at Northampton to get
Shaved ; got to Hatfield by lOJ^. Put up at Lt. D. Billings. Chose
Co". Wells Chairman and Dea" O. Smith Clerk. I assisted him in
reading. Began upon Bxisiness at 3. The committee from the General
Court present, and the first question was whether their Commission
was Constitutional. We then determined to let every one tell his Grievances
and adjourned.
"Thursday 8. The Mobb began to tell their Grievances and the
[committee] to answer and to give Information. The Day was spent
in this way. The Mobbists began to feel themselves more a ground
than they expected. The Tories who are spectators in very great plenty
do not hold their Heads so High as they have done of late.
" Fryday 9. Began where we left off. Afterwards chose a commit-
tee to state Grievances to us. Then the Mobb still continued to tell
their Grievances but got upon the Shoals long before Night. Committee
report near Night.
" Saturday 10. Began in the Morning upon the Report of the Com"*''
which Consisted of 8 Articles. 3 we passed and the rest we through
out. Friends of the Mobb could not get things to their Mind. They
[are] Disappointed and Chagrined. What that may produce is uncer-
tain, but 'tis certain that they cannot answer the Arguments of the
Com"''% or gainsay the facts they asserted. The appearance is that
there is more probability of their being still, if nothing more. Convention
broke up about 6. /
couventious Cou- Tlicsc congrcsscs Continued to be the met'"'*^-
dium of mutual communication and general
discussion. No less than four were held in
this county in 1783. To a considerable extent these gatherings
were sectional in character and though termed county
conventions, were in most cases composed of delegates from