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

1701] FEDERAL CONSTITUTION—MANUFACTURES. 533
limits. It is not to be presumed that none but paupers, or
such persons as it was apprehended were likely to become
so were "warned." It was to ensure, as far as might be, the
moral and industrial character of the community, thereby
adding to the permanency of the municipality, and to keep
out idlers, non-producers, and irresponsible or undesirable
settlers, who might become a burden upon the taxpayers.
This law had been in force since the colony was established,
and had been resorted to at many different times during
the existence of the town, but there is no other record of a
similarly generous application of its provisions. The design
of building a canal around the rapids in Connecticut
River at South Hadley, was in agitation about this time,
and possibly attracted many who were in search of employment.
Some of the persons warned were afterwards among
the most prominent business men of the place and it is not
very probable that the population of the town was materially
diminished by this sweeping application of the
statute. Among the list of names may be found those of
James Tappan, trader ; Fortunatus Prescott, painter ; Nathan
Storrs, clock-maker ; Christopher Slack and Medad
Pomeroy, yeomen ; and Samuel Breck, tailor.