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Editorial
December 30, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Editorial critiquing the petition of Massachusetts insurgents, highlighting hypocrisies such as petitioning with arms, false accusations against officials, and boasts of British aid. Defends suspension of habeas corpus and government actions. Dated Middlesex, Dec. 16, 1786.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
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STRICTURES
On the Insurgents late Petition.
1st. THEY humbly petition with arms in their hands, after insult on the act of indemnity.
2d. They condescend to thank the General Court for their attention to public grievances, " in some instances." Wondrous gratitude !
3d. They have great horror of the suspension of the privilege of Habeas Corpus. Well they may have.--In former times of public danger, it has always been suspended ; and of consequence rogues met with due punishment.
4th. They assert, that all who live by the income of farms, are concerned with them,-- that is. 2000 villains, not 60,000 farmers.
5th. They accuse the officers of government of abusing women, children, &c.- Well-known falsehoods.
6th. They wish for the benefit of the act of indemnity,after having trampled it under feet.
7th. They are driven to arms by their necessities,--yet have money and resources, for carrying on a war against the State.
8th. They are not instigated by British emissaries,--yet have a thousand times boasted, that they could have 10,000 Britons to assist them, whenever they pleased.
9th. They have an high sense of liberty,-- yet by force and arms invade others liberties, menace death, hold bayonets to Judges breasts, quarter soldiers on others property, and threaten to burn towns. &c. &c.
10. " Will return to their respective homes." -to raise again when they think proper.
11. They are concerned about their " honest debts,"-to be paid in a depreciating paper currency. See proceedings of the Hampshire convention.
12th. Will engage for the good behaviour of the Middlesex insurgents.--One thief gives bond for another.
And these are not half the absurdities of that piece.
Middlesex, Dec. 16. 1786.
On the Insurgents late Petition.
1st. THEY humbly petition with arms in their hands, after insult on the act of indemnity.
2d. They condescend to thank the General Court for their attention to public grievances, " in some instances." Wondrous gratitude !
3d. They have great horror of the suspension of the privilege of Habeas Corpus. Well they may have.--In former times of public danger, it has always been suspended ; and of consequence rogues met with due punishment.
4th. They assert, that all who live by the income of farms, are concerned with them,-- that is. 2000 villains, not 60,000 farmers.
5th. They accuse the officers of government of abusing women, children, &c.- Well-known falsehoods.
6th. They wish for the benefit of the act of indemnity,after having trampled it under feet.
7th. They are driven to arms by their necessities,--yet have money and resources, for carrying on a war against the State.
8th. They are not instigated by British emissaries,--yet have a thousand times boasted, that they could have 10,000 Britons to assist them, whenever they pleased.
9th. They have an high sense of liberty,-- yet by force and arms invade others liberties, menace death, hold bayonets to Judges breasts, quarter soldiers on others property, and threaten to burn towns. &c. &c.
10. " Will return to their respective homes." -to raise again when they think proper.
11. They are concerned about their " honest debts,"-to be paid in a depreciating paper currency. See proceedings of the Hampshire convention.
12th. Will engage for the good behaviour of the Middlesex insurgents.--One thief gives bond for another.
And these are not half the absurdities of that piece.
Middlesex, Dec. 16. 1786.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Constitutional
Crime Or Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Insurgents Petition
Habeas Corpus
Act Of Indemnity
Shays Rebellion
British Emissaries
General Court
Militia Actions
Political Grievances
What entities or persons were involved?
Insurgents
General Court
British Emissaries
Hampshire Convention
Middlesex Insurgents
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Insurgents' Petition
Stance / Tone
Strongly Anti Insurgent And Pro Government
Key Figures
Insurgents
General Court
British Emissaries
Hampshire Convention
Middlesex Insurgents
Key Arguments
Petitioning With Arms After Insulting Act Of Indemnity
Grudging Thanks To General Court
Opposition To Habeas Corpus Suspension Despite Historical Precedent
Exaggerating Support Among Farmers
False Accusations Against Government Officers
Seeking Indemnity Benefits After Violating It
Claiming Necessity For Arms While Having Resources
Denying British Instigation Despite Boasts Of Aid
Professing Liberty While Violating Others' Rights
Vague Promise To Return Home
Concern Over Debts Payable In Depreciating Currency
Pledging Good Behavior Among Thieves