Description:

Shays's Rebellion
Boston, MA, January 12, 1787
Boston Newspaper Discusses Education, Shays's Rebellion, and Joseph Brant
Newspaper

[SHAYS'S REBELLION.] The Massachusetts Gazette, January 23, 1787. Boston, Massachusetts: Samuel Hall and John W. Allen. With subscriber's signature of William Frost. 4 pp., 10" x 15.25". Disbound; general toning; small holes with minimal effect on text on pp. 3-4, scattered staining.

This Boston newspaper includes two articles related to Shay's Rebellion, an essay on education, and news of Mohawk leader Joseph Brant. This copy belonged to Revolutionary War veteran William Frost of York County, Maine.

Excerpts
"THOUGHTS on EDUCATION.
"The education of youth has claimed the attention of the most enlightened part of mankind in all ages of the world....
"It ought to be the study of Americans to attain useful knowledge, and make improvements in our own language; and by all means to keep the mind free from all prejudice in favour of any system that is not consistent with reason....
"We have the wisdom and knowledge of all nations and ages treasured up in our books; we have the advantage of correcting the errours of former times, which experience had discovered; and if we do not become learned and wise, 'tis our own faults." (p1/c1-2)

"Yesterday morning I fell in company with two men, who were on their way to visit their great leader, Shays.... What the end will be I know not.—However, the friends to government are preparing to oppose these insurgents.
"I took particular observation of Shays' house and its situation, and am of opinion, that had I a warrant, with three men, I could make a prisoner of him, and convey him safe to Boston." (p1/c3)
Daniel Shays of central Massachusetts and other veterans of the American Revolutionary War left the army unpaid and returned home to face court actions for non-payment of debts, especially taxes. After the war's end in 1783, many other veterans could not pay their taxes or money they owed on land purchased before the war. In August 1786, protests in rural Massachusetts turned to direct action to prevent courts from sitting and were successful in Northampton. Protesters also successfully prevented courts from sitting in Great Barrington, Concord, and Taunton, though courts met in larger towns and cities with militia protection. After the Shays rebels performed an uncoordinated and unsuccessful attack on the U.S. armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, Massachusetts militia forces surprised and scattered the rebels at Petersham, several of whom fled the state. The Massachusetts government offered a $750 reward for the capture of Daniel Shays and smaller awards for some other leaders. Although eighteen leaders were convicted and sentenced to death, only two were hanged, in December 1787. The rest were ultimately pardoned.

"I have just time to tell you, that the report which has been published in several of our publick papers, respecting Joseph Brandt being killed, is without foundation. He is now at Niagara in good health, and, from what I can learn, totally averse to war with the United States, and does not wish to favour the hostilities.... The Six Nations are by no means dissatisfied with Pennsylvania." (p2/c3)
Joseph Brant (1743-1807) was a Mohawk military and political leader, who was an ally of Great Britain during the Revolutionary War. He rose to prominence in the Iroquois Confederacy (the Six Nations) due to his education and abilities. His sister became the wife of the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for New York. After the war, he relocated to what is modern Ontario, Canada, and remained a leader until his death. In December 1786, Brant and leaders of the Shawnee, Lenape, Miami, Wyandot, Ojibwa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi nations renewed the wartime confederacy in the West in modern Michigan and made demands on the American government for land north of the Ohio River.

From Convention at Hatfield in Hampshire County, Massachusetts:
"This Commonwealth is in a most alarming situation, by reason of great uneasiness subsisting among its inhabitants, with respect to the situation of our government, and we are exceedingly divided in the way and manner of seeking redress. Some cry one thing, and some another, and many are flying to arms; yea, are we not in the most imminent danger of bringing on a civil war, which in all probability will involve us in everlasting ruin.... Therefore, the Convention, from the trust and confidence that is deposited in them, and in faithfulness to their constituents, and their country, do most earnestly desire all such of our brethren as have heretofore had recourse to arms, to lay them aside, and unitedly join with us in our prayers to the legislature for a redress of our grievances, for that is the only constitutional way of seeking redress...." (p4/c1)

The Massachusetts Gazette (1785-1788) was a semi-weekly newspaper published in Boston by Samuel Hall (1740-1807) and John Wincoll Allen. It was known for its impartiality. Although the newspaper published many Federalist pieces, it also printed more original Antifederalist material than any other Massachusetts newspaper. Allen took over as the sole publisher in September 1787 and continued the paper until November 1788. He later published newspapers in Baltimore.

William Frost (1747-1827) was born in Maine and served as an officer in the Massachusetts Line of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He served among the troops besieging Boston, then two terms at Fort Ticonderoga, and then served as Commissary of Issues for General John Patterson's Brigade. After the war, Frost served as register of deeds (1786-1816) and county treasurer (1787-1812) for York County, Maine.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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