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

1787.] SHAYS REBELLION. 511
glance to this commonwealth, they shall be recommended to the General
Court for mercy."
To this Shays replied that "the people were willing to
lay down their arms on the condition of a general pardon,
and return to their homes," and requested that " hostilities
should cease on the part of the government, until our
united prayers may be presented to the General Court and
we receive an answer." This was speedily followed by a
visit from three of the rebel leaders, who brought a communication
signed by Francis Stone, Daniel Shays, and
Adam Wheeler, in which the request of Shays for a cessation
of hostilities till the Legislature could be heard from,
was reiterated. Gen. Lincoln refused to listen to this re-
quest, on the ground that he had no authority to enter into
any such agreement.
Shays Evacuates On Friday, Feb. 2'', Gen Lincoln reconnoi-
Peiham. tcred the position of the enemy at Pelham
with the intention of making an attack the
next day. Alarmed by this demonstration, the insurgents
made arrangements for the evacuation of the post. But
hoping to gain time thereby, a flag of truce was sent to
Gen. Lincoln at three o'clock, Saturday morning, from Gen.
Wheeler, requesting that he might have a conference with
Gen. Putnam. This was granted, and they met Saturday
afternoon. Wheeler's main object was to provide for his
personal safety. But receiving no encouragement, he re-
tired. While this conference was in progress. Shays quietly
slipped away, and marched for Petersham. Information
that a movement was in progress in the camp of the enemy
reached Lincoln at noon. Not having authentic informa-
tion, he judged that Shays was merely shifting his position
from one portion of the town to another. Determined not
to be caught napping, Lincoln ordered his army to prepare
for instant marching with three days' provisions. At six
o'clock he received reliable information that the insurgents
were in full retreat. In two hours the army was on the
march.
" The first part of the night was light and the weather clement, but
between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning the wind shifted to the westward,
it became cold and squally, with considerable snow, the wind
arose very high, and with the light snow that fell the day before, and