History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1676.] KING PHILIP'S WAR—CONSOLIDATION FAILS. 319
should discourge from granting onr desire, we will at our own cost,
bear the charge of a sufficient garrison : if your Hon'^ shall see cause
to allow us fifty souldiers, beside those which have kept with us all winter,
we will diet them freely & pay them their wages : whereas
some
have Informed the Councill that Springfeild is one of the most conve-
nient Towns for others to repair to : yoiu' Hon" are much misled therin
for the bulke of the Town is burnt allready : whereby they are iincapa-
ble to entertain others, & their land lies remote, most of it on the other
side of the great river, so they are uncapable, we fear either to
maintain themselvs or others : thus leaving our request unto your
solemn consideration, & desiring the Lord to guide you & support your
hearts imder these sore exercises, we take leave & Rest
your humble servants
N-Hampton Sol: Stoddard
mar: 28, 76 John Strong
William Clarke
The generality of the Town doe David Wilton
consent to pay the garrison John Limon
souldiers, rather than John King
want them." ^
Tliis clocumeiit states the case fairly and of-
Tne Firm and Moderate
Demand of
fgj^.g sti'ouo- reasoiis affaiiist tliG proiect of
the People of tj ,.• • n x, i £ j
Northampton. coiisoliclatioii. Uoucned 111 firm and courteous
language, the letter commanded a respectful
hearing, and no doubt its arguments were accorded
their due weight in the consideration of, and final disposi-
tion of the case. The citizens ask for a moderate garrison,
only fifty men in addition to the number that had been on
duty there during the winter. It will be remembered that
Major Appleton left thirty-six men to do guard duty here
the fall before. The people were ready to subsist and pay
these men, notwithstanding their impoverished condition.
This was but a scant garrison for so large a town while ac-
tive hostilities were in progress, yet the inhabitants pre-
ferred to run their chances with it rather than abandon the
plantation. To leave the settlement would give a death
blow to their fondest hopes, and yield to the savage foe all
they had struggled for and gained in twenty years. They
''dare not" under the circumstances consider such a sug-
gestion, and events proved that they were justified in their
refusal.
1 Mass. Archives, v. 68, p. 182.