papers, while in the office of governor, may be found in the first volume of the American Academy's publications.

Bowdoin's dignified and effective administration ought to have secured to him the entire confidence and gratitude of the people. This, as will be shown, was far otherwise, and after two years' service, another was elected in his place. He took no further part in public affairs. His private character was that of a strictly moral man; rather adapted to a tranquil, than to an ardent and active life. He died in the year 1790, at the age of sixty-three. He was buried with military parade, conducted by the company of Independent Cadets, which was renovated during his magistracy, and is now in possession of a standard presented by him. He had an only son (who left no child) and three daughters. His place of abode was the Bowdoin House, still remaining in Beacon Street.

LETTER III.

JAN. 24, 1833.

THE most accurate account of the insurrection in Massachusetts, is Minot's. It is also treated of in Bradford's respectable History of Massachusetts, second volume. All the notice of this event, which the present purpose requires, in showing the train of occurrences, may be comprised in a short space.

The frequent popular meetings, and the prevention of the sitting of the courts, having made it necessary to exert the power of the government, Gen. Lincoln, as before mentioned, was appointed to the command of a force, which he conducted to Worcester, in January, 1787. The arrival of these

troops, at that place, enabled the court to hold its session there, undisturbed. The insurgents concentrated their forces in the neighborhood of Springfield. Luke Day was at the head of about 400, and Daniel Shays at the head of about 1100. The latter had been an officer in the continental army. General William Shepherd, afterwards a member of Congress, had the command of about 1100 of the militia of the county of Hampshire. Shays was on the east side of Springfield, and Day on the westerly side of it. Shepherd, supposing it to be Shays's object to possess himself of the arsenal there, posted his troops for its defence. Lincoln directed his march from Worcester to Springfield. Shays, knowing of the approach of Lincoln, found it indispensable to attempt the defeat of Shepherd before Lincoln could arrive. Relying on the aid of Day, on the western side, Shays approached Shepherd's position on the afternoon of January the 25th. When they had come within a short distance, Shepherd sent messengers to them demanding to know their purpose, and warning them of their danger. Shays answered, that he meant to have possession of the barracks. Shepherd replied to him, that he was posted there, by order of the Government, and of Congress; and that if Shays came any nearer, he and his body of men would be fired upon. He was answered, that was what was wanted. The insurgents were within 250 yards of Shepherd's line; and when they had advanced an hundred yards further, Shepherd ordered two cannon to be fired, but, unwilling to shed the blood of his, deluded fellow-citizens, caused the shot to be thrown over their heads. This measure not having intimidated them, as he hoped it would, his guns were then pointed to the centre of their column and discharged. A cry of murder was heard in the ranks of the insurgents, and they immediately fell into such confusion and terror, that their leader's efforts to display his column, and lead on to battle, were all in vain.

His men immediately retreated to Ludlow, about ten miles from the place of action, leaving three of their men dead and one wounded. (Minot's His. Insur. 111.)

Shepherd remained at his post, in constant expectation of a renewed attack from the united force of Shays and Day; and of Eli Parsons, who led about 400 men from Berkshire. He had reason to believe that the advantage of attacking him before the arrival of Lincoln's troops would not be lost. But at noon on the 27th he had the satisfaction of seeing the approach of Lincoln's troops, consisting of four regiments, three companies of artillery, a company of horse, and another company who were volunteers. Hardly stopping to rest, General Lincoln led a detachment across the frozen river, to attack Day; while Shepherd moved up the river to prevent the junction of Day and Shays. Day's party were put to flight and escaped to Northampton. The party of Shays retreated to Amherst, destitute of all provision, except that obtained by plunder. Lincoln followed in the same direction, but finding that Shays had gone from that place, and that his troops could not be sheltered from the excessive cold nearer than at Hadley, he marched thither.

While at this place, Lincoln was informed that Shays had posted himself at Pelham hills, and he thought proper to address letter to him, and his officers (on the 30th of Jan. 1787) of a firm, and degnified, but humane character, informing them that if they laid down their arms, and took the oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth, they would be recommended to the General Court for mercy. On the same day Shays replied, that he desired hostilities to cease, until an answer could be received to a petition then on its way to the General Court. To this communication Lincoln replied on the 31st, "Your request is totally inad"missible, as no powers are delegated to me, which would "justify a delay of my operations. Hostilities I have not

66 commenced.

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I have again to warn the people in arms against the Government, immediately to disband, as they "would avoid the ill consequences which may ensue, should they be inattentive to this caution."

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The petition mentioned by Shays, and the intelligence received from Lincoln, induced the legislature to declare the existence of an open rebellion on the 4th day of February, 1787. On the third of February the insurgents were retreating towards Petersham. Of this fact, Lincoln had notice at three o'clock on the same day; but it was not made certain till six o'clock. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, and the disadvantage of a night. march, he gave orders to his troops to be ready, with three days' provision, at eight o'clock, at which time he departed in pursuit. When they had arrived at New Salem, about two o'clock in the morning, a violent wind from the north arose, severely cold, and accompanied by a snow-storm, which obstructed the path. There was no place for shelter, or refreshment; and as the intensity of the cold made it hazardous to stop in the road, for any purpose, there was no alternative but to pursue their disheartening march, which could terminate no where but in the quarters of the enemy. Thus, their march was prolonged to thirty miles, in the night time, not a little resembling the retreat of the French from Moscow. At nine next morning Lincoln's front was at Petersham, his rear five miles distant.

This was the favorable moment for the insurgents. They had passed the night in comfortable quarters, and were in full vigor, and could easily be embodied, and conducted to action, against an exhausted force, of which only the front had presented itself. But Lincoln's flanks being defended by the depth of snow, and there being no approach but in the path in front, and having guarded this by placing his artillery in front, he advanced with the certainty of success.

The first notice which the insurgents had of Lincoln's

presence, was from the entrance of the advanced guard among them. The surprise was complete. Their minds were directed to this wonderful achievement, and not to the advantages which they might have had over those who had performed it. Men who are conscious of being engaged in punishable acts, must be assured of superior strength, or driven to desperation, in contending against others who move under the impulse of duty. Their courage abandoned them; they instantly fled, thinking only of personal safety. One hundred and fifty were taken. The remainder escaped into neighboring states.

LETTER IV.

JAN. 27, 1833.

NOTWITHSTANDING the energetic measures of Bowdoin in suppressing the rebellion, the attention of the people was again turned to Hancock. He was always the popular favorite, and it was hoped, by those who sought relief from the public burthens, that more was to be expected from him than from Bowdoin. Many who had been, in principle, opposed to rebellious measures, and those who promoted them, or were engaged in them, uniting in favor of Hancock, constituted a majority of the electors. In these early days it was suggested and believed, without any justifiable cause, that Bowdoin had English partialities; because an Englishman, who bore a title, had become his son-inlaw. Hancock having been elected, continued Governor until his death, which occurred in October, 1793, at the age of 56.

Hancock will be considered in the history of our country, as one of the greatest men of his age. How true this