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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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1787.] SHAYS REBELLION. 505<br />

A Proposition <strong>from</strong> On tliG Same day Sliays sent a communicashays.<br />

tion to Gen. L<strong>in</strong>coln, <strong>in</strong> wliicli be proposed<br />

that the government troops should be <strong>in</strong>stantly<br />

disbanded, that every person identified <strong>in</strong> any way<br />

with the upris<strong>in</strong>gs should be <strong>in</strong>demnified <strong>in</strong> their persons<br />

and proper tj'- until the sitt<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the next Legislature, that<br />

no one should be molested or <strong>in</strong>jured on account <strong>of</strong> rebel-<br />

lious acts until a fair hear<strong>in</strong>g had been given <strong>in</strong> the next<br />

General Court respect<strong>in</strong>g the matters <strong>of</strong> compla<strong>in</strong>t by the<br />

people, and that all prisoners on account <strong>of</strong> the troubles<br />

should be surrendered without punishment. On these con-<br />

ditions the rebels would laj^ down their arms and disperse.<br />

Gen. L<strong>in</strong>coln received this document when with<strong>in</strong> two<br />

days' march <strong>of</strong> Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield. The pr<strong>in</strong>cipal object <strong>of</strong> Shays<br />

<strong>in</strong> writ<strong>in</strong>g it was to delay the march <strong>of</strong> the government<br />

troops, and prevent them <strong>from</strong> aid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the defense <strong>of</strong> the<br />

arsenal. But Gen. L<strong>in</strong>coln was not to be hoodw<strong>in</strong>ked by<br />

any propositions <strong>of</strong> such a nature. Not consider<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

petition worthy <strong>of</strong> an answer, he pressed forward with all<br />

speed to relieve Shepherd, and issued orders for the Middle-<br />

sex militia to march to Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield with all haste.<br />

The Fight at Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield.<br />

Shays reached Wilbraham on the 24"', and<br />

ii^Q next morn<strong>in</strong>g the government party ^<br />

sent a message to warn Gen. Shepherd.<br />

The messenger reached Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield <strong>in</strong> time for all necessary<br />

preparations to be made, and when Shays arrived he<br />

found everyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> read<strong>in</strong>ess to receive him. Gen. Shepherd's<br />

dispatch to Gov. Bowdo<strong>in</strong> concern<strong>in</strong>g this engagement<br />

is as follows. It states the facts graphically, covers<br />

the ground completely, and is altogether the best description<br />

<strong>of</strong> the fight that has come to hand —<br />

:<br />

" Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield. January 26. 1787.<br />

" Sir : The unhapy time is come <strong>in</strong> which we have been obliged to<br />

shed blood. Shays, who was at the head <strong>of</strong> about 1200 men. marched<br />

yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock towards the public build<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />

<strong>in</strong> battle array. He marched his men <strong>in</strong> open column by platoons. I<br />

sent several times by one <strong>of</strong> my aids, and two other gentlemen. Capta<strong>in</strong>s<br />

Buff<strong>in</strong>gton and Woodbridge, to know what he was after, or what<br />

he wanted. His reply was, he wanted barracks and barracks he would<br />

have, and stores. The answer returned was, he must purchase them<br />

dear, if he had them. He still proceeded on his march, until he approached<br />

with<strong>in</strong> 250 yards <strong>of</strong> the arsenal. He then made a halt. I im-

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