Haverhill City (part 2 of 2)

The drafts upon the town this year were by no means light. In March, two men were detached to serve as guards at Cambridge. In April, an order was received to raise fifteen men in this town, to complete the fifteen batallions which were raising for the continental army. The town voted a bounty of one hundred pounds to each soldier who would enlist. They were to serve nine months after their arrival at Fishkill. Those who were detached from the First Company, were Nathan Kimball, Thomas Sargent, William Appleton, Moses Harriman, Gilbert Bond, E^ihraim H. Brown, Samuel Eames, Francis Smiley, Jeremiah Davis, Edward Baker, jr., and Daniel Quimby. In May, another order was received for a detachment of ten men, to serve eight months after their arrival at Peckskill. The town voted a bounty of ninety pounds to each soldier that would enlist. The following enlisted in this service : -

In July, twelve men were detached for Ehode Island. The following gives their names. They are copied from " A Muster Boll of Capt Jonathan Fosters Company of Col Nathl Wades Eegt of the Mass Troops now in the Service of the United States. Stationed in Middleton in the State of Ehode Island for the term of Six months from the first of July 1778." Sergt John Whittier enlisted July 1 Pr Parker Noyes enlisted July 1

In the same month, six men marched to Cambridge, and were paid by the town, and six men were detached from the First Company, to serve six weeks at Ehode Island. In September, nine men marched from this town, three from the First Company, to serve at Boston till the 1st of January, 1779.

History Of Haverhill

To raise men and money for these frequent drafts, required the exertion of every nerve, - hut it was done. The following items will show somewhat of the expenses of the town for the national cause, this year : -

Sixty pounds were paid to four men, who served " as guards at Cambridge." One hundred and twenty pounds were paid to eight soldiers, who " served about Boston." Seven pounds eleven shillings were paid to two men for " going to Boston ; " these were probably Simon Harriman, and Joseph Snow, who enlisted, July 3d, for a six months' service, and were paid fifty-five pounds each by the town, in addition to their expenses to Boston.. Nine soldiers enlisted in the militia, and were paid by the town. The amount paid them was five hundred and ninety pounds. For the fifteen soldiers for the continental army, the town paid fifteen hundred pounds. Two men served on AVinter Hill five months, to whom the town paid fifty pounds ; they were Daniel Adams and Samuel Le Court. Eight men served in the militia three months, and were paid three hundred and twenty-four pounds. Six men marched to Providence, and were paid three hundred and thirty pounds. On the 30th of June, the town raised two thousand and six hundred pounds to defray the charges " it had been at in procuring soldiers for the continental army and for the service of the state." It was also voted " to raise £500 to hire the soldiers this town is now obliged to raise." On the 19th of July, six soldiers were hired, to be stationed at Cambridge, to whom the town paid one hundred and ten pounds.

Besides these expenses, the town paid several hundred pounds for supplies to the families of soldiers. This year there were at least ten such families principally supported by the town.'--

But we find no symptom of a murmur. At a meeting in September, the militia officers were directed " to hire any detachments ordered by authority, at any time," and the treasurer " to pay what money was necessary for them." If he had no money, he was "to hire some."

In June of this year, the General Court made a requisition on the towns for clothing for the soldiers of the army. This town came up promptly at the call, and we find in a single receipt, dated December 11, 1778, the items - loOshirts, 81 pr shoes, and 57 pair stockings sent from Haverhill.

At the annual meeting in 1779, Thomas West, Lieutenant Peter Carlton, Colonel John AVhitticr, Captain Samuel Merrill, Fhinchas Carlton^ Isaac Snow, and Samuel Ajcr, Jr., Tvere chosen the Committee of Correspondence and Safety.:"-'

The committee to supply the families of those soldiers from the town, were in the army, were Mr. John "White, merchant, Ebenezer Gage, Senr., Jonathan Duston, Deacon Benjamin Clements, Captain Samuel Merrill, Samuel Ayer, Jr., Anthony Chase, Captain Joseph Eaton, Eichard Kimball, William Ladd, Elias Johnson, Lieutenant Jonathan Webster, and Simon Ayer.

The militia officers were again ordered to hire what men the town should be called on to furnish, and the treasurer was directed to pay the bills for the same.

The following account of bounties paid by this town, between February, 1777, and March, 1778, is copied from the book of the province treasurer : -

° At lilt- adjourned mcct-ng. March 2Gth. m new cummittcc was chnsen, consisting of General James Brickett, Ca])t:iin Sannul Mi-rrill, Deacon Kzra Chase, Isaac Snoiv. Ji.hn Sawyer, Captain Timothy Eaton and Jamus i'ike. Ko reason is given fur choosing a new conmjittee for this purpose.

Htstout Of Haverhill

The complaints of the people in most of the States had become so loud and so general, on account of the prevalence of extortion and monopoly, growing out of the depreciation of the paper money,f that Congress deemed

" L:euteu:int \Vill:am Givtakiif entered the sei-v'ce as a private, January. 1770. lie was :ippi)'n(c<l Ens'gn soim after, and subsequently commissioned as Lieutenant, lie wis in the lialtle at Govirncr's Island; at Haarlem Heights ; at the taking of Bnrgciyne ; carried the standard of his reg'miut at Menmouth ; and was in the numorable Retreat from Lung Island. He left the service in 17S.1. and returned to his tuitiye town, where he was fur miiiy years the popular landlord of Gref.nlRof s Tavern (where the Chase Block now stands). lie was a bra^'e offi.:cr, and a kind and gentlemanly citizen and neighbor. He died in 1832.

t As a paper of no small historical value and interest, we copy the following table from the book of our Town Treasurer. It was evidently prepared fur Irs own convenience.

"Scales of Depreciation. The Worth of £100 in Paper Money, when reduced to Solid Coin, at the rate of Six Shillings & Eight Pence for one ounce of Silver."

re^i/^oC/??^ statutes necessary, and in January, 1779, divided tte tliirteen States into two districts, advising that a convention be held in each, to fix and regulate the prices of the common articles of living. A convention for the northern district was held at Xew Haven, who formed a plan for regulating prices and preventing extortion. This plan was adopted by most of the States composing the district. The legislature of Massachusetts approved of it, and passed a law on the subject, and on the 12th of April a meeting was called " To see if the Town will choose one or more Persons as a Committee to prevent monopoly & Fore Stalling agreeable to a late Eesolve of the General Court."

The town voted to choose a committee of three persons for the above purpose, and the following were so chosen : - Captain Nathaniel Marsh, Joseph Bradley, and Captain John Mullaken.

" At a legal Town Meeting, held in Haverhill on Tuesday the 18th Day of May, 1779, warned by the Constable by Virtue of a Warrant recieved from the Select Men.

2d. To see whether the Town will impower their Eepresentative for the next year, to vote for the calling a State Convention, for the Sole Purpose of forming a new Constitution; Provided it shall appear, on. Examination, that a major Part of the People present, and voting, shall have answered the first article in the Affirmative.

"After some Time being spent in debating on the proceeding Articles, the Moderator tried a Vote on the first Article, & in order to ascertain the Number voting each Way, the House was divided, and the Numbers were equal, viz. Forty one for having a new Constitution, or Form of Government, and Forty one against it.

The Select Men called another Meeting of the Inhabitants qualified by Law to vote for Eepresentatives, for the same Purpose of the last Meeting. Mr Isaac Osgood was chosen Moderator. The Votes were, Thirty five for having a new Constitution or Form of Government; and

History Of Haverhiil

Sixty one against having it made at present. On Motion made wlietlier the Town would give Instructions to their Eepresentative about this Affair, it was voted in the Negative.

2d. - To see if the town will approve of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection & Safety of this Town in sending one of their Number to meet a Convention of the several Committees of this State at Concord on the 14th of this Instant for the Purpose expressed in their Letter from the Committee of Boston."

Upon both of the articles, an affirmative vote was passed. The Convention at Concord was attended by deputies from more than three-fourths of the towns in the State. Prices were fixed for all the products of the country, and those who had articles of foreign growth or manufacture to dispose of, were requested to have reasonable prices stated for the same.

Notwithstanding this town voted not to have a new consitution, a majority of the towns decided otherwise, and precepts were issued for a Convention at Cambridge in September.

" 1st. - To see if the Town will chuse one or more Delegates to meet in Convention at Cambridge on the first Day of September next for the sole Purpose of framing a new Constitution for the Massachusetts State :

" 2d. - To see if the Town will consider of the Doings of the Convention which met at Concord the 14th Day of July last, & adopt a Plan proposed by said Convention for putting a Stop to the late growing evils amongst us :

"3d. - To see whether the Town will chuse one or more Members to meet in Convention at Concord on the first Wednesday in October next as recommended in a Eesolve of the late Convention held at that Place :

" 1st. The honbl Nathl Peaslee Sargeant Esqr was chosen a Delegate to meet at Cambridge on the first Day of September next, for the sole Purpose of Framing a Constitution.

" The 2d Article was voted in the Affirmative ; and a Committee of Fourteen Men was chosen to see that the Piecommendation of the Convention is complyd with as expressed in the 4th & 5th Kesolves of said Convention. The following are the Persons chose for a Committee, viz Doctr Brickett, James Chase, Capt Timo Johnson, Aaron Carleton, Lieut

" Voted to accept of the Doings of the Convention of Delegates that met at Ipswych Aug 20, 1779 ; also of the Doings of the Committee of this Town chosen August 5th 1779. "--'

September 17th, the General Court ordered out four hundred of the militia to repair and man the forts in Boston Harbor, as reports bad been received of an intended attack by the British. This town furnished eight men, who served one month and ten days, viz : - Corp JoelHeriman, Amos Currier, Moses Moody,

In October, the town was called on for nineteen men, to re-inforce the army in New York. They all marched before the month expired. The town paid them three hundred and ninety-nine pounds as bounty and mileage.

The expenses of the town this year may well be considered enormous, when we state that six thousand pounds were raised to defray them. To meet these large charges, the town was almost daily obliged to borrow money, as may be seen from the following : -

" To see if the Town will approve of and adopt the Proceedings of the Convention begun and held at Concord on the 5 th of Oct last, & enter into such further Resolves & Eegulations as the Town may think proper for the more cffectualy carrying the same into EflFect."

It was "voted to accept of the Proceedings of the Convention met at Concord, that have been published, and Chuse a Committee of Ten Men to affix the Prices which Merchandize & Country Produce are to be sold at, in this Town. The committee consists of the following Persons, viz : General Bricket, Capt Timo Eaton, Capt Timo Johnson, Aaron Carlton, Lieut Israel Bartlet, Capt Samuel Merrill, James Pike, Willm Johnson, Thomas West, & Bailey Bartlet."

The meeting then adjourned to the loth of the same month, at which time it was voted to " approve the Eesolves and address of the Convention held at Concord in October last; " and " the Proceedings of the Committee of this Town, chosen at the last Meeting were also read, & accepted, by a Vote of the Town ; & a Committee of Eive Men were chosen to see them put in Execution, & complied with. This Committee consisted of the following Persons, viz : Capt John Mullaken, Capt David Eemick, Mr Thomas West, Capt Joseph Eaton, Capt Samuel Merrill."

" Voted, That this Committee be directed to enquire into the Proceedings of the Neighboring Towns, respecting this Business, & make report at the adjournment of this meeting."

" The Moderator and the Town Clerk met at the Meeting-House at the Time the Meeting was adjourned to, & waited about an Hour, when no other Person attended, the Moderator dissolved the Meeting."

A partial and temporary relief was aiforded the people by these repeated efforts to regulate the price of commodities, but no permanent or general good was effected.

Heavy as had been the burdens of the town thus far during the war, they were in nowise lighter the year following. Taxes were multiplied upon its inhabitants, until they were almost crushed beneath the load. The town's proportion of the tax laid by Congress, March 8th, was thirty- eight thousand eight hundred and seventy-six pounds. Ten days after, Congress laid another, the town's proportion of which was thirty-nine thousand two hundred pounds. In July, a tax was laid to redeem a part of the continental bills, &c., and this town was assessed five hundred and four pounds, hard money S' In September, the town was called on to supply sixteen thousand eight hundred pounds of beef, and they promptly chose a committee to purchase it.

Lafayette having returned from France, with the promise that another fleet and several thousand troops, were to be immediately sent to the aid of America, AVashington desired to make more efliicient efforts the coming campaign, and called on Massachusetts for four thousand men to re-inforce the army for six months. They were readily granted. The following were furnished by this town : -

" The debt of Massachusetts, exclusive of its quota of the continental arrears, was at this time five million dollars, hard money ; while the assessed value of all the propurty in the State was only eleven millions,

Within a month after, a call was made for four thousand seven hundred ©f the militia, for three months. This town's proportion was forty- seven A large number of the soldiers having ahout completed their term of inlistment, Massachusetts was called on in December for four thousand two hundred men to serve during the war. This town's proportion was twentyeight. A meeting was called, and a hard money tax of fifteen hundred pounds was voted to pay for the same. At an adjourned meeting, the captains of the companies of militia were made a committee to procure the twenty-eight soldiers required of the town ; and Judge Sargeant, Isaac Eeddington, Captain Timothy Eaton, Samuel Ayer, Jr., and Captain Joseph Eaton, were added to the committee, " to devise ways & means to pay the soldiers." It was then

" Voted, That the Town Treasury be open to those Committees, & that the Town Treasurer be ordered to pay them what Money they may call on him for, they being accountable for the Expenditure of said Money."

Subsequently, the town adopted the "Class" plan, recommended by the Oeneral Court, in raising the men. By this plan, the inhabitants of each town were divided into as many equal portions or classes as there wore men to be raised, and each class was obliged to furnish one man.

Besides men, and money, and beef, the town was also called upon to furnish clothing for the army. In January, 1780, they forwarded thirty-one blankets ; and in April, they were assessed for fifty-eight pairs of shoes, stockings, and shirts, and twenty-nine blankets. By the returns we find that the whole were sent previous to November 11th.

This was but a small part of the clothing furnished in December and January. From the returns of Jonathan Ayer, constable, we give the names of the persons of whom he collected in December : -

2 pr stockins ; AYid Lydia Haseltine, 3 shurts, & 4 pr stockins ; Moses Haseltine 3 shurts ; Lieut Jona Webster 4 do ; Wid Euth Haseltine 2 do ; John Kezer 4 do ; Moses Swaze 2 do, & 7 pr shoes ; James Webster \ pr stockins ; Lieut David Bradley 24 pr Shoes ; John Marble 10 yards cloth."

c One of these was Daniel Bradlcj-. Bradley was present, and on guard duty, when Major Andre was brought into camp a prisoner. Ha was the first hutcher who regularly attended Haverhill market. He died September 20th, ISJ-t, in the 9-tth year of his age. Among the soldiers hired by the town this year, were Samuel CampbeU and John Cox, who, it appears, were " taken np for stealing," and tried before Samuel White, Esq., and the town paid the costs in their cases, on condition that they enlisted!

Among the old papers of the town, we found the original snhscriptioa l)ook of the person employed by the town to collect clothing at different times ; and believing that the list of names will be read with interest, we copy them--' : - -

History Of Haverhiil History Of Haverhili

The total State tax of the town was £18040.0.0, and its County taz was £224.1.0. The reader will of course remember that these amounts are reckoned in the continental currency, which was at a large discount at this time. But, notwithstanding this, the amount was still very large, and the inhabitants were compelled to make extraordinary exertions, and heavy sacrifices to raise the money. The town treasurer was paid for over nine days time in hiring money in the month of October alone.

The Committee of Correspondence and Safety for this year, were : - General Brickett, Captain Samuel Merrill, James Pike, William Johnson, John Sawyer, Captain Timothy Eaton, and John Ela.

'^ This being the date affixed to the last list of names in the book, would scein to prove all the others of an earlier dat«. A receipt in the hook, dated May 5, 1778, makes it almost certain that such was the facS convention called for tliat pai-pose, in September, 1779, appointed a comtaittee to prepare a draft, and then adjourned to the next January, when they again met and agreed upon a Constitution. This was published and sent to the towns for their approval, or rejection.

May 2d, a meeting of this town was called, to see if they would "approve of the Form of Government for the State of Massachusetts Bay, as agreed upon by their Delegates in a Convention lately held at Cambridge." General James Brickett was chosen Moderator, who " publicly read the new form of Government as published by the Convention ; and also numbered the voters in the meeting, and declared them to be one hundred and nineteen."

The votes were taken upon each article separately. Articles I. and 11. in the Bill of Eights were unanimously agreed to ; but the third " was a subject of considerable debate," and the meeting finally adjourned to the next Monday, without taking a vote upon it.*

At the adjourned meeting. May 8, there were one hundred and seventyfive voters present. The debate upon Article III. was resumed, and continued for some time, when it was voted to pass over the Article for one hour. Articles IV to XX, inclusive, were unanimously agreed to, (except Article X, which passed one hundred and four to twenty-six) when the meeting again took up the third Article.

Art. III. As the happiness of a people, and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially depend upon piety, religion and morality ; and as these cannot be generally difl'used through a community, but by the institution of the public worship of GOD, and of public instructions in piety, religion and morality ; therefore, to promote their happiness, and to secure the good order and preservation of their government, the people of this Commonwealth have a right l.o invest their legislature with power to authorize and require, and the legislature shall, from time to time, authorize and require, the several towns, parishe--, precincts, and other bodies politic, or religious societies, to make suitable provision, at their own expense, for the institution of the public worship of GOD, and for the support and maintenance of public Protestantteachers of piety, religion and morality, in all cases where such provision shall not be made voluntarily.

And the people of this Commonwealth have also a right to, and do, invest their legislature with authority to enjoin upon all the subjects an attendance upon the instructions of the public teachers aforesaid, at stated times and seasons, if there be any on whose instructions they can conscientiously and conveniently attend.

Provided, notwithstanding, that the several towns, parishes, precincts, and other bodies politic, or religious societies, shall, at all times, have the exclusive right of electing their public teachers, and of contracting with them for their support and maintenance.

And all moneys paid by the subject to the support of public worship, and of the public teachers aforesaid, shall, if he require it, be uniformly apjilied to the support of the public teacher or teachers of his own religious sect or denomination, provided there be any on whose instructions he attends ; otherwise it may be paid towards the support of the teacher or teachers of the -parish or precinct in which the said moneys are raised.

And every denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good subjects of the Commonwealth, shall be equally under the protection of the law ; and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law. ,

The Recorder informs us that this " was a subject of much Altercation* and considerable Time was spent in arguing upon it. The following vote was passed, viz : 9 1 voted to have it stand as it was published by the Convention ; & 85 voted for an Amendment. This last Vote was reconsidered by a Majority of 64, »& on a second Tryal there were but 40 for the Article, & 104 against it. A Division then took place in this last Number, concerning the alteration & Amendment. Two Plans were proposed ; one by the Honble Nat. P Sargeant Esqr ; & the other by the Eevd Mr Hezekiah Smith. A vote was tried on each of their Amendments ; & there were 79 in favor of the former, & 66 for the latter."

At this stage of the proceedings, the meeting was adjourned until the next day, in order, doubtless, that some compromise or plan might be presented that would secure a majority vote.

At the next meeting sixty-six voters were present. Commencing at Article 21, the remaining portion of the Bill of Eights was unanimously agreed to, - except Article 28th, which had one negative, and the 29th, on which the vote was a tie.

The moderator then proceeded to lay before the town " the Frame of Government," which was agreed to almost unanimously (except Article 2d, Chapter 1st, on which the vote was a tie) as far as Article 14th of Chapter 2d, when the meeting adjourned to the 22d inst.

At the adjourned meeting the remaining portions of the Constitution were agreed to, (the most of the sections unanimously) except Chapter 6th, which was amended by adding the word " Protestant " to the word *' Christian."

General Brickett was chosen a delegate to the next Convention ; and the next Thursday (25th inst.) was fixed upon as the time to resume the consideration of the third Article in the Bill of Eights.

At the adjournment, the first vote passed was, " to re-consider all that has been acted on, respecting the 3d Article in the Bill of Eights." It being then moved to ascertain by a vote how many were in favor of the Article, it appeared that 85 were in favor, and 69 against it. The Eev. Mr. Smith then oflFered an amendment,''^ which was agreed to ; and the following vote was passed : -

" Tho' the Town have tho't fit to propose to the Convention some Altera ations and Amendments in some of the Articles in the' Form of Government they have made for the Common Wealth of Massachusetts, are, notwithstanding of Opinion, & do consent, that the Whole of said Form, as published by the Convention, be established, rather than the same should be returned to the People for farther Eevision ; which will prevent its taking place, & being established so soon as we wish to have it."

This town was not alone in objections to the Third Ar-ticlc of the Constitution. Objections were made in all quarters, and the subject was thoroughly discussed, both in public and private. Says Bradford, " The Baptists were the most inclined to complain, for the teachers of Religion were generally of the Congregational order." They considered it oppressive, and inconsistent with their rights, that those who had belonged to other Churches, and were desirous of joining a Baptist Church, should be subjected to the inconvenience of applying for license so to do.

The Constitution having been agreed to by a large majority of the towns in the Commonwealth, Monday, the fourth day of September was assigned for the election, by the people, of a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Councillors, and Senators, under the new Constitution. This being our first election under a State Constitution, and the inauguration of a new era in our local government, the following extracts from our town records of that date are of more than ordinary interest : -

" The Select Menf presided at this Meeting, who, with the Town Clerk, received the Votes, sorted, and numbered them. The Votes for Governor were, Forty Seven for the Hon'ble John Hancock Esq ; and Forty one for the Hon'ble James Bowdoin Esq, For a Lieut Governor, the Votes were, Twenty six for the "Hon. Jno Hancock Esq ; Twenty two for the Hon Thomas Gushing ; Ten for the Hon James Bowdoin Esq ; & Two for Tristram Dalton Esq." Sixteen persons received votes for " Councillor Senators."

Although hostilities had been for some time transferred to a distance from the State, yet Massachusetts was by no means relieved from frequent and heavy requisitions for men and materials to carry on the war. In December, 1780, the General Court called on the towns for a fresh supply of beef for the army. The amount assessed on this town was thirty-two thousand, two hundred and fifty-six pounds ! Large as was the quantity, the town promptly voted to raise it, and laid a tax of £48,384 to pay for it. Hardly had the town time to collect and forward their quota of beef, when (June 22, 1781) they were called on for thirteen thousand, three hundred and fourteen pounds more ! At the same time they were assessed for c- The warrants for the town meetings at this time run as follows : - " These are to notify and warn the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Haverhill, of 21 years old & upwards, having a Freehold Estate within this State of the annual Income of Three Pounds, or any estate to the value of Sixty Pounds Sterling, to meet," <fcc.

fifty-six sliirts ; the same number of pairs of shoes and stockings ; and twenty-eight blankets. These were all raised and forwarded before the middle of Xovember.

July 3d, the town was called on for four men for the Ehode Island service, and they were raised. In their warrant for the meeting to attend to the above, the selectmen say " and as there is a Necessity of their being marched immediately, it is hoped the good Inhabitants of this town will generally attend, and use their utmost endeavors in procuring said men."-

The effective aid of the French, in men and money, in 1781, threw a bright glow over our military and financial operations, and helped to crown our arms with brilliant success, both on sea and land. Early in 1782, the English government, wearied with the fruitless and desperate seven years struggle, and hopeless of success, began to think seriously of overtures of peace. The preliminary motion was made in Parliament February 27th, and five days later it passed. The preliminary articles were signed at Paris in the following November, and in September, 1783, the treaty was signed at the same place.

Thus the war of the revolution was happily ended. The Colonies were wrested from the grasp of England, and American Independence was acknowledged and established. It was indeed " glad tidings " to America that peace was declared. Every countenance was radiant with smiles ; and the proclamation, when read, was hailed with tumultuous cheers. Bells were rung ; cannon fired ; bonfires lighted ; and, in the evening, houses were brilliantly illuminated. All were inspired with new life, and, looking to Heaven with grateful emotions, poured out their offerings of gratitude to God !

In looking back over the long and severe struggle, and considering how heavy was the burden upon the towns, especially of Massachusetts, it is with no small degree of pride that we find upon the official record the fact, that, upon the final settlement, Haverhill was deficient 07ie mem only, in all the drafts that had been made upon it ! We can, without exaggeration,

Thomas Page and Nathaniel Clark were only ahout fifteen years old when they enlisted. They were taken into his company by Captain Emerson, at their own urgent solicitation, and with the consent of their parents, as his musicians, Page being drummer and Clark fifcr. It is said that their youthful appearance and skilful execution attracted the attention of Washington, who enquired of their Captam in regard to them, and drew from him the compliment (of which they were ever after proud) "they are pretty boys." They remained with Captain Emerson until the close of the war.

History Op Hayerhill

tliat " there were "but few towns, if any, wliicli made greater exertions to forward the cause of freedom than this ; no effort was spared ; no sacrifice was thought too great. The courage of the inhabitants never flagged, even at the darkest period; ' they had nailed the flag to the mast,' to use the expression of a veteran of that period, ' and they determined to see it wave in the winds of freedom, or fall nobly fighting.' They were willing to spend their treasures and shed their blood ; and when there was scarcely room to hope, the votes which were passed in their town-meetings, show a spirit of coolness, determination and patriotism which is truly astonishing ; - they evinced a chivalry far nobler than that of olden time ; they were actuated by a principle from which death only could separate 4;hem."-