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

538 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1751-i;66.
for deeds, 8d. to Is. ; for writing a letter, 8d. ; for labor in
collecting, 6s. per day ; lie charged the town for making
rates, valuations, etc., 4s. for a day's work.
Member of the Leg- Major Hawley appears first as a member of
isiature. the Legislature in 1751. In a private letter
dated at Boston, in January of that year, he
speaks of being "wholly a new member," and as having
had " quite respect eno. paid me by Gentle" of the Board
& Town." He was not again elected till 1754. In the
meantime his reputation as a lawyer had greatly increased,
and when once more he appeared as a legislator, he was
recognized as a man of influence and ability. During the
years which intervened from his first to his third election
to the General Court, Major Hawley was not much in pub-
lic life, but he was active in town affairs. It was then that
the excitement relative to the Stamp Act enlisted every
patriot, and awakened and encouraged that spirit of independence
which eventually resulted in freedom. Though
little is known of him during these years, though he was
not conspicuous outside of his own town, yet he strongly
opposed the oppressions of the mother-country, and nourished
and considered those principles which he so fearlessly
espoused when again he found opportunity to advocate
them.
He was once more chosen to the Legislature in 1766,
when the Stamp Act and the results of opposition to it
were the all absorbing topic. Riots had taken place in
opposition to it, and parliament proposed that the losses
occasioned thereby should be repaid. Mr. Hawley took a
conspicuous position in this debate, and startled the community
by the boldness and vigor of his statements. At
this period he is characterized by the historian, Palfrey, as
"a patriot now first rising into notice, but scarcely surpassed
by any in later years for services and talents."
A Leader.
Froui that time and till the Revolution commenced,
he was annually re-elected to the
Legislature. It was during that period that Thomas
Hutchinson, his lifelong enemy, wrote of him that "he
was more attended to in the House, than any of the leaders,
but less active out of it ; he was equally and perhaps
more attended to than Sam. Adams."