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

1708-1773.] MAJOR JOSEPH HAWLEY. 539
In 17G8, Majoi' Hawley made the acquaint-
Friendship with joiin
Adams. r^j^(,g Qf John Aclaius. It was a friendship
tliat lasted through life. Adams was engaged
ill a case at a session of the Court in Springfield,
which he conducted in a manner that attracted the atten-
tion of Mr. Hawley. An introduction followed, and the
two men became intimate friends.
As a Presiding Major Hawley had the rare talent of con-
'^*^°®''trolling
men, especially in a promiscuous
assembly. He was very frequently chosen
moderator of town-meetings at home, and it is related of
him that while a member of the Legislature, a town-meeting
was held in Boston, which the moderator could not
manage. Mr. Hawlej' was sent for, and succeeded in quelling
the disorder. *
A statesman. Gov. Hutcliiuson, in 1773, endeavored to
convince the Legislature and the people that
Parliament had a right to make laws for America and to
lay taxes. A committee was appointed by the House to
answer this speech. Their report was the most elaborate
state paper of the Revolutionary controversy in Massachusetts,
and Hutchinson states that Mr. Hawley and Samuel
Adams were the persons who had the greatest share in preparing
it, assisted by John Adams, who was not then a
member of the Legislature, but was consulted by the committee
at the instance of Major Hawley. -
Prominent in Counsel. Li the legislative Struggle relative to the
Stamp Act, and other antagonisms growing
out of it, Major Hawley was in the forefront of the
battle. Whatever the legislation in it he was prominent,
and his influence was everywhere acknowledged. He was
1 Bancroft Papers, Lenox Library.
2 "The House appointed a committee to take into consideration the Governor's
speech. Major Hawley. who, far from assuming: the character of commander-in-chief
of the Hou.~*e, pretended to nothing, still, however, insisted with the committee in
private that they should invite John Adams to meet with them, and to take his opinion
and advice upon every question. So critical was the state of affairs, that Samuel
Adams, John Hancock, Thomas Cashing, and all their friends and associates, could
carry no question upon legal and constitutional subjects in the House, without the
countenance, concurrence, and support of Major Hawley."—Works of John Adams,
vol.2, p. 311.