Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

CHAPTER VI.
164r)-lB50.
Connecticut imposes a Eiver Tariff. — Purchase of Saylnook Fort. ^ William Pvnchou
refuses to pay the Duty. — The Commissioners of the United Colonies sustain Con-
necticut. — Sprinj^field's Case in Detail. — Massachusetts imposes Retaliatory Duties.
— Connecticut removes the lliver Duties on Springfield Goods. — Floods and Local
Incidents. — Taxes. — Miles Morgan. — The Freeman's Oath. — Troul)le as to Swine.
— Town Oi-ilers. — IVnclion's Court.
Outside affairs again demauded the attention of the frontier plan-
tation ; and he who had antagonized the cohjny down the river was
again placed where he must renew the battle or retire from the valley.
During the five years beginning with 1645 Springfield and Hartford
kept up a running sword-play over the custom duties on the Connect-
icut river. It was the first tariff war in New England, and finally
involved all of the colonies. It would not be candid to charge that
Connecticut was urged into this contest by a special hostility to
Springfield ; because the colony was nursing a commercial ambition,
and was bound to further her material interests by all legitimate
means. However, it will be seen b}' the temper of some of the
charges fornuilated at Hartford that the bitterness was not lessened
by a neighborly feeling towards Springfield.
Near the close of the year 1()44 Connecticut had bargained for
the fort at Saybrook, Mr. Fenwick, the owner, agreeing to accept
certain duties, including '2d. per bushel upon exported grain passing
the fort, and fid. per hundred ,upon biscttit. There was also an annual
tax put upon liogs and cattle, to be paid to Fenwick ; all of these
tributes to continue ten years, when the fort was to become the abso-
lute property of Connecticitt. Officers were stationed at Windsor,