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

522 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1786.
to eat and drink, and all the popular bar-room games of
the day were always at hand to while away the long and
dreary hours. The jailer was also an innkeeper, his rules
for the government of the prisoners were never very strict,
and he was able to contribute much towards the comfort
of his boarders without actual pecuniary loss. While it
might not have been derogatory to the Register to be an
inmate of the jail, it must have been a new experience
for persons having business with the court to be compelled
to go to jail for its accomplishment. Considering the determined
raid then in progress against the courts, the Probate
Court seems for a time to have been in a safe place. ^
,
The Town Votes to Allusiou lias already been made to the
Sustain the Government.
actiou of the towu at its September (1786)
. .
< i t p
meeting concerning the list ot grievances
adopted at the Hatfield convention. At the same meeting
the circular letter from the town of Boston was read, " and
the town voted their approbation of said address." The
citizens of Boston, soon after the disturbances commenced,
addressed the Governor, declaring their determination to
cooperate in the support of constitutional government,
but recommending lenient measures with respect to their
deluded friends and fellow-citizens. At the same time
they sent out a circular letter to the inhabitants of every
town in the State. In it they showed the mutual danger
that awaited all parties during the War of the Revolution,
contrasted the present freedom of the citizens with what it
would have been had they been conquered ; recalled the
sacred pledges of life and fortune made to support the constitution,
which was as inestimable as the blood with which
it had been purchased ;
and enjoined on their brethren to
seek redress only in a lawful and constitutional manner. ^
1 A communication in the Hampshire Gazette of December G"", alludes to the notice
of the Register posted in the tavern, announcing that the next Probate Court
would be "held at the otHce of the subscriber, nearly fronting the Jail House, Northampton."
The writer congratulates the people "in this day of tumultuous opposition
to the Courts of Justice that the Court of Probate can be safelj- holden within
the limits of the gaol yard of Northampton; and that for the honor and dignity of
the county, those important records (as appears by the Registers sign fronting the
gaol) are safely kept within the same place. Under these circumstances, and for the
convenience of the good people, it must be presumed that constant attendance will
be given."
3 Minot's Insurrections, p. 45.