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

SPRIXGFIELD. 1636-1SS6. 311
Paper and commonly called the Stamp act. This we do Instruct you to use
your utmost Endeavor to obtain a repeal of, if it be possible, and if that cannot
be obtained, that you Endeavor to procure sucli alterations and amendments
both in tlie articles dutied and in the mode of Collection as will render it less
burthensome to Individuals as well as more beneficial to the Community the
perticular dutied articles, which we would mention as most burthensome, are
notes of Hand & publish News papers, the former is such an Intolerable Ijurthen
as has never been attempted, even in great Brittain. And the other being about
I3 of the value which is indeed a very high duty, must greatly discourage the
Circulation of those Useful vehicles of public knowledge, if not cause them
wliolly to be laid aside, or perhaps throw the business of printers, into the
neiglibouring States.
As to the mode of Collection, if the act were to Contiime. most of the duties
might be collected and paid by the several publick Officers, Issuing the dutied
articles so as to prevent the burthen Expenses of Stamps & Stamp officers, as
for Instance, the Clerks of Courts may receive the duties upon writs & Execu-
tions &c, Registers of deeds the Duty on deeds, the Naval Officers such duties
as are appointed on ye Papers, used in their respective Offices, b}' which means
there would of Consequence be a great saving of Expence, and we believe, more
money, neated to the Treasury as well as great Trouble and Inconvenience pre-
vented.
Wavvauts of distress were once more ordered that inoiith (Novem-
ber, 1785) against tax delinquents prior to 1783. In March, 1786,
we find Colonel Worthington moderator and Moses Bliss on the
select board. Tliere was more difficulty abont constables ; a list was
finally made out, but Charles Sheldon had had his share of tronble,
and retired, in spite of the general desire to have him serve. Evi-
dence of the popnlar distress in money matters is seen in the fact that
over ninety per cent, of the Springfield inhabitants for several 3'ears
had worked out their highway tax instead of paying money. The con-
stables were given two and a half per cent, specie for tlieir common-
wealth tax collections, but finally John Pynchon came to tlie rescue in
May by acting as constable for the first parish for £20, and two and
a half per cent, on the commonwealth tax. A little earlier the pro-
posal to make Northampton the shire town had created some concern,