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

312 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1SS6.
aud John VV^ortliiugton, backed by Moses Bliss and Thomas Dwight,
were set at the gates of Springfield to oppose sucli a disastrous
transfer.
The popular upheavals induced Springfield to send Thomas Dwight
and Luke Bliss to the May convention at Hatfield, 1786. The selec-
tion of Dwight is proof positive that the majority felt that these
conventions would serve an important public service. The unhappy
town was frequently battling with poverty in legal meetings, but to
little purpose. An important appeal for relief was sent to the
General Court in June, 1786 ; Thomas Dwight refusing the offer of
reelection to the Legislature in 1786, Samuel Lyman was chosen
in his place. Moses Bliss was moderator in August, 1786, when
William Pynchon and Capt. James Sikes were sent to the Hatfield
convention that month, and at an adjourned meeting Bliss and
Worthiugton refused to serve on an advisory committee on the state
of' affairs. William Pynchon was the moving spirit of this com-
mittee, aud the following report, adopted September 25, 1786, is
added as expressing an heroic faith and admirable self-control amid
deplorable commotions, hungry men, swarming debtors, exacting
creditors, obstructed courts, dismembered families, and the plots of
sundry seditious spirits ready for adventure on general principles : —
To Sam'i Lyman Esq'' Sir as tlie approaching Session of the General Court,
at which you are to attend as the Representative of this town will be peculiarly
important, we think it our duty to Communicate to you our sentiments on sundry
matters which may probably then be subjects of deliberation and debate.
While we disapprove the late voilent proceedings which have obstructed tlie
Course of public Justice in this & some other County s, we are constrained to
say, we feel in Common with others, the pressure of pubUc burthens, and fully
persuaded that some measures, perfectly consistent with Justice, and the honour
of Government, might be adopted, which would afford sensible relief, and restore
general tranquility.
The late appropriations of revenue, arising from liscences and Impost, and
liscences from Inholder and retailers of Spiritous liquors to the payment of
interest on our state securities has given us as Avell as others, great Uneasiness.