Rufus King to Henry Knox about Shays' Rebellion, 13 December 1786 PDF Download

Author: Rufus King
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Languages : en
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Reports that [Daniel] Shays disbanded his party on Sunday & Monday last. King reports that the stageman he is traveling with saw the disbanded insurgents. The stageman said they seemed crestfallen; some of them say they will go no more, others that they are not yet tired of the business. Includes other information provided by the stageman, such as the fact that Shays will stay at Worcester until he receives word from the Governor. Postscript makes a reference to what appears to be the dispute over the New York-Massachusetts border. Claims there is a prospect of compromising. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Has received Wadsworth's last letter, and so has the Board of Treasury. Hopes he will not delay coming; everything rests on him, as everything stops until he and Mr. [Robert] Morris sign the papers (they are preparing a loan to Congress). Writes, For Gods sake do not delay a single moment longer than is indispensably necessary. Discusses the Shays insurgents and mentions that he does not believe they will recede. Will write via Mr. [Rufus] King if he hears any more news. Also mentions several people who have been recently elected from Maryland to the national Congress.

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Writes, The insurgents who were assembled at Worcester in Massachusetts have disbanded- The people at Boston seem to be glad at this event and say it was the effect of fear- But the fact is that the insurgents effected their object, which was to prevent the Court of Common Pleas from proceeding to business. It is probable that the seizing some of the insurgents at Middlesex occasioned a greater number of them to assemble at Worcester than otherwise would have assembled merely on Account of preventing the common Pleas. Adds that it appears that the government planned to bring the insurgents to action but was prevented by uncommonly deep snow. Declares, The commotions of Massachusetts have wrought prodigious changes in the minds of men in that State respecting the Powers of Government every body says they must be strengthned, and that unless this shall be effected, there is no Security for liberty or Property. Hopes to see Washington along with Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth in Philadelphia in a few days. Retained copy.

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Writes that he has nothing of consequence to communicate. Discusses the death of a Mr. Nash, as well as the doings of friends and colleagues including Mr. [possibly Edward] Carrington and Mr. [possibly Robert] Morris. Mentions trying to contact members of Congress who seem to have left the New York area. Sends regards to Mrs. King.

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Discusses a recent letter from Williams. Writes that the recent acts of government will help contain the insurgents (referring to Shays' Rebellion, which happened in Springfield, Massachusetts in late September 1786).

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Writes that he would have responded immediately to Dwight's last letter but was concerned that writing by the post might be injurious to Dwight. Discusses whether letters sent to him would arrive safely. Mentions the importance of news about the affairs in western Massachusetts (referring to Shays' Rebellion), and discusses whether the insurgents will take the oaths presented by the government.

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Describes the recent Shays' Rebellion, explaining that Mr. [John] Stagg, the bearer, will provide more details. Writes, Government has lost ground. Faction desperate faction gains strength hourly - they speak of a military government and embodying troops against the constitution - The numbers what appeared in arms opposed to Law were great - had all the parties which were on the march joined previous to the dispersion of the Malcontents they would have mustered 2000 strong - Government mustered about 900 but These were men of respectable character and great property, compared with their opponents. Knox adds, Please keep this to yourself.

Author: Rufus King
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Languages : en
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Informs Knox that Henry Jackson will send him the Resolve for calling a convention and tell you every thing relative to the situation of public affairs with more precision and particulars than is in my power. Discusses his efforts in advocating for the passage of the Constitution, such as speaking to the representatives from Maine, and trying to correct some ill impression they received. Also mentions the advocacy work some judges are doing in support of passage: [William] Cushing the Chief Justice gave a solemn charge last week in Bristol to the Grand Jury, enlarged upon our distressed situation, the Danger of Anarchy, and the well founded fear that we might yet lose our Freedom for want of Government and concluded in favor of the adoption of the Report of the Convention.

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Provides an account of Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. Claims the discontents in Massachusetts were speedily and effectually suppressed. Says these discontents were immersed in Opinions which perhaps were necessarily diseminated previous to and during the revolution [which] seem to produce effects materially different from which they were intended. Discusses the debts, factions, and the recourse to arms of the farmers of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Worcester counties. Discusses the government's reluctance to resort to bloodshed in suppressing the rebellion, which consisted of 2,000 farmers and war veterans who shut down the court in Worcester. Says Governor James Bowdoin called for 5,000 troops to be led by General Benjamin Lincoln. Mentions that Captain Shays, one of the leaders of the uprising, was under Lafayette's command in 1780. Goes on to describe Lincoln's victory over the rebels. Says he can trust the news in this letter because he has received updates from Lincoln himself. Says that Arthur St. Clair has been elected president of the Continental Congress. Says Congress has many weighty affairs to consider. Noted as a copy on the docket.

Author: Henry Knox
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Languages : en
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Apologizes for missing King when King recently traveled to Boston. Discusses the possibility that King will remain in Massachusetts (perhaps to serve that state in government). Knox and [Nathaniel] Gorham both agree King should instantly demonstrate [his] intentions by purchasing a home in Massachusetts.