Description:

Shays's Rebellion
Boston, MA, March 20, 1787
Boston Newspaper Reports Shays's Rebellion and Benjamin Franklin's Views
Newspaper

[SHAYS'S REBELLION.] The Massachusetts Gazette, March 20, 1787. Boston, Massachusetts: Samuel Hall and John W. Allen. With subscriber's signature of William Frost. 4 pp., 10" x 15.75". Disbound; general toning; small holes, scattered light staining.

This Boston newspaper discusses changes in Philadelphia regarding slavery and provides updates on the aftermath of Shay's Rebellion, specifically the multi-state hunt for the leaders who had fled Massachusetts. A letter from Benjamin Franklin, then serving as president of Pennsylvania, to the governor of Massachusetts discusses these efforts and the positive qualities of the Massachusetts Constitution. This copy of the newspaper belonged to Revolutionary War veteran William Frost of York County, Maine.

Excerpts
From the Pennsylvania Gazetteer:
"I have heard that two of the most respectable merchants of our city, have refused to underwrite a vessel belonging to a foreign state, that was engaged in the African trade. I have likewise heard that the present Sheriff of our city and county, and the present Officers of the city vendue, have refused to sell Negro slaves at publick sale. These things mark the progress of justice and Christian principles among us. But I am still distressed to see our printers continue to advertise Negro slaves for sale in their newspapers. I think it holds out to the world that we are an inconsistent people. To be sold as a slave for life is one of the greatest punishments that can be inflicted upon a human creature." (p2/c3)

"By a gentleman who came passenger in the northern stage from Montreal, we learn, that on the 27th ult. Shays, Day, Wheeler, and Parsons, with eight other rebel officers, names unknown, arrived at Isle aux Nuix; and that on the 28th they still remained there, and conversed with him. This gentleman farther says, from his own personal knowledge, that the real distress of the party, in point of finance, obliged Shays to pawn a sleigh, &c. to defray their expenses to this last retreat from the vengeance of offended justice. It was said that they intended to continue their route to Quebec.
"At Ford Edward, our informant adds, he fell in with six others of Shays's party, one of whom was a captain, who enquired of him, with earnest solicitation, respecting Shays; these men were likewise in a distressed situation. This captain appeared zealously determined to pursue his infernal purpose of rebellion, and said, that they (meaning the body of insurgents) intended again to return when the leaves put out." (p3/c1)
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.

Letter of President Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania to Governor James Bowdoin of Massachusetts:
"I Received the letter your Excellency did me the honour lately to write me, respecting your proclamation for apprehending several promoters of the Rebellion in your State. The proclamation was immediately printed in our news-papers; and the matter being laid before the Council and Assembly, I was thought fit to make an addition to the rewards your government had offered, which will be done, though the usual forms of proceeding have occasioned some delay.
"I congratulate your Excellency most cordially on the happy success attending the wise and vigorous measures taken for the suppression of that dangerous insurrection; and I pray most heartily for the future tranquility of the state which you so worthily and happily govern. Its Constitution is, I think, one of the best in the Union, perhaps I might say in the world. And I persuade myself, that the good sense and sound understanding predominant among the great majority of your people, will always secure it from the mad attempts to overthrow it; which can only proceed from the wickedness or from the ignorance of a few who, while they enjoy it, are insensible of its excellence." (p3/c2)
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) served as President of Pennsylvania from 1785 to 1788.

Additional Content
This issue also includes proceedings from the South Carolina House of Representatives regarding a bill for paying private debts in installments (p1/c2-p2/c1); discussion in the Pennsylvania General Assembly of moving the capital from Philadelphia to Harrisburg (p2/c2-3); news from New York of the election of Robert Yates, Alexander Hamilton, and John Lansing Jr. as delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (p3/c1); a letter from Nashville, Tennessee (then western North Carolina) regarding Spanish plans to exclude Americans from use of the Mississippi River (p4/c1-3); and a few notices and advertisements.

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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  • Dimensions: 10" x 15.75"
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