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

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

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170 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1745-1747.<br />

" I mentioned to Col. Dwight about tak<strong>in</strong>g care <strong>of</strong> the men at No. 4 :<br />

he gave a short answer, and I said no more. I supposed Col. Dwight<br />

had orders to send a guard to cover the workmen <strong>in</strong> build<strong>in</strong>g the fortifications<br />

& supposed he would meet the com'', but he has gone to Brookfield.<br />

* * * Your excellency will discern what work Col. Dwight<br />

and I shall make <strong>of</strong> do<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess together. I have advised him <strong>in</strong><br />

the best manner I have been able, but he is almost too great to be spoke<br />

to, and seems to look on the committee as so many spaniels." ^<br />

This lack <strong>of</strong> harmony was all the more gall<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />

home commander on account <strong>of</strong> the scarcity <strong>of</strong> men, and<br />

the difficulty <strong>of</strong> enlist<strong>in</strong>g soldiers for the frontier service.<br />

The expedition aga<strong>in</strong>st Canada was quite popular among<br />

the people, and no difficulty seems to have been experienced<br />

<strong>in</strong> obta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g recru<strong>its</strong> for that purpose. The excitement <strong>of</strong><br />

a campaign <strong>in</strong> the enemy's country was much more attract-<br />

ive than the monotonous garrison life <strong>of</strong> the frontier forts,<br />

varied only by an occasional alarm, a dangerous scout, or a<br />

march through an ambushed wilderness for supplies. A<br />

portion <strong>of</strong> the Canada cont<strong>in</strong>gent had already been employed<br />

<strong>in</strong> rebuild<strong>in</strong>g Fort <strong>Massachusetts</strong>, and it Avas but<br />

natural that Col. Stoddard should suggest still further<br />

methods <strong>of</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g them useful.<br />

A Commissioner <strong>from</strong><br />

<strong>Massachusetts</strong>.<br />

While COmmauder-<strong>in</strong>-cllief on the west-<br />

QYix frontiers, he was appo<strong>in</strong>ted one <strong>of</strong><br />

the commissioners to meet with others<br />

<strong>from</strong> New York and Coimecticut, <strong>in</strong> order to concert measures<br />

for mutual defense aga<strong>in</strong>st the common enemy. It<br />

was undoubtedly a meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> this body upon which Col.<br />

Dwight so unceremoniously turned his back. In 1745, a<br />

conference was held with the Six Nations at Albany by the<br />

commissioners <strong>from</strong> <strong>Massachusetts</strong>, New York, Connecticut,<br />

and Pennsylvania. In this commission Col. Stoddard<br />

held an honorable position. Their deliberations extended<br />

over a number <strong>of</strong> weeks.<br />

Judicial Employ- In addition to his manj^ municipal, miliments.<br />

tary, diplomatic, legislative and agrarian<br />

duties, he also held important judicial ap-<br />

po<strong>in</strong>tments. In 1725, he was made one <strong>of</strong> the Justices <strong>of</strong><br />

the Inferior Court <strong>of</strong> Common Pleas for Hampshire County<br />

1 Judd MSS.

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