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

1T80.] SHAYS REBELLION. 491
The Supreme Judicial Little exciisG Gxistecl foi* an attack upon
Court Assailed.
tliG Supreme Judicial Court, but the in-
surgents decided that this too must be dis-
continued. No indictments had been found against any of
the rioters by these courts since the unlawful proceedings
commenced, and while Grand Juries were composed of the
friends and neighbors of the criminals, there was little
likelihood that any such action would be taken. But the
leaders of the disturbing element determined to prevent
the -higher co'^rts from accomplishing business of any kind.
Heretofore the government had endeavored to conciliate
the malefactors by mild treatment, but this was carrying
opposition to the law too far, and it was decided to protect
the courts at all hazards. The rioters made no attempt to
conceal their designs, but boldly announced their intention
of interfering with the fall session of the Supreme Judicial
Court for Hampshire County, soon to be held at Springfield.
Gov. Bowdoin took the ground that no more courts should
be "held up'' with impunity, and invoked the aid of the
militia for their protection. Flushed with the easy victo-
ries in the eastern counties, the leaders of the insurgents
were anticipating equally satisfactory results in the western
section of the State.
Some of the insur-
Prominent gmion^;^ the leaders in Hampshire
gent Leaders. County wcre Daniel-Shays of Pelham and
Luke Day of West Springfield. The latter
served through the Revolutionary war, reaching the grade
of captain, and by his bravery and skill earning the brevet
title of Major. He was poor, suffered in common with
others, and was a man of plausible speech and ready
tongue, of which he made excellent use in stirring up and
keeping alive the prevailing discontent. He gathered quite
a company of men, whom he drilled daily on West Springfield
Common, and aspired to be a leader in the movement.
Associated with him were Elijah Day, Benjamin Ely and
Daniel Luddington. Shays, whose notoriety as leader gave
a name to the movement, had also served in the Revolution,
but left the army in 1780. Judge Samuel Hinckley,
who came to Northampton from Brookfield in 1781, gives
the following account of Shays^ : —
1 Judd MSS.