Description:

Shays' Rebellion
Boston, MA, ca. 1786-1787
The Unfolding of Shays' Rebellion, 4 Issues of The Massachusetts Gazette Concluding with the Massachusetts Proclamation for Suppressing Insurrection Calling it an Act of "horrid and unnatural Rebellion and War"
Newspapers

Four issues of The Massachusetts Gazette dated September 12, 1786 through February 6, 1787. Boston: Samuel Hall. Each is 4 pages and measures approximately 10" x 15.25". The full arc of the insurgency in Massachusetts now known as Shays' Rebellion is told in a series of notices beginning with the printing of a circular letter dated September 9, 1786 from the town of Concord announcing measures being taken in response to "the disorderly proceedings of a number of persons in the counties of Hampshire and Worcester, in preventing the sitting of the courts there." All four issues have stab holes along the left margin from previous binding. Evenly toned, with occasional foxing and period ink. A contemporaneous account of the insurgency as it unfolds and is put down.

Includes:

September 12, 1786 issue reprints a September 9 circular announcing attempts to "obtain redress of what they conceive to be grievances." The importance of the events is evidenced by a period ink annotation above the masthead calling attention the notice: "Concord Circular Letter 9th Septr. / Boston Circular Letter." At this time, the protests were organized by local committees rather than Daniel Shays himself — though Shays quickly became recognized as a leader.

October 27, 1786 issue reports on Governor Bowdoin's measures taken to quell attempts to stop the sitting of Supreme Judicial Court sessions at Taunton on page 2. The Governor receives support from both Houses to compensate "officers and soldiers, of the militia, as appeared in pursuance of his Excellency's order" and "exercise of such powers as were vested in him by our excellent constitution, for enforcing due obedience to the authority of laws of government."

December 15, 1786 issue contains a letter "from a gentleman at Worcester" on page three, describing the attempt of Shays' insurgents to stop the state Supreme Judicial Court from sitting. Several hundred armed farmers converged on Worcester to block the court. They were opposed by local militia units loyal to the government. The gentleman writes: "…its surprising that men should be so infatuated as some of these poor wretches are – that they should attempt to carry on a war against government, destitute of almost every essential necessary for such a purpose. They must have suffered in the late enterprise very much, from cold, hunger and fatigue, -- many of the scantily clad; and I heard several of them declare they had nothing to eat for two or three days…" A petition from the insurgents requesting clemency from Governor Bowdoin and the release of insurgents arrested in November after attempting to stop judicial sessions in Berkshire and Worcester also appears on page 3.

February 6, 1787 issue reprints Governor James Bowdoin's February 3 address to the Massachusetts Legislature voicing strong condemnation of the rebels, a call for law enforcement, and an appeal to the legislature to support orderly suppression — both a warning and justification of the state's authority. Printed just days after the Springfield Armory confrontation (Jan 25, 1787), when Shays' forces were decisively defeated. General Benjamin Lincoln's role in restoring order without large-scale massacres, demonstrating both military authority and restraint is recognized. Lastly, an early printing of the Massachusetts Proclamation for Suppressing Insurrection, issued on February 4, 1787, which formally declared Shays' Rebellion an act of "horrid and unnatural Rebellion and War" and outlined the state's response.

An important and contemporaneous account that reconciles the grievances of the insurgents with the young government's powers to maintain order. Lincoln's leadership highlighted the importance of experienced Revolutionary War officers in stabilizing the new state government and the need for a stronger federal government.

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 15.25"
  • Medium: Newspapers

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