13.08.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

326 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1768.<br />

selectmen <strong>of</strong> Boston were requested to correspond with the<br />

several towns, ask<strong>in</strong>g their co-operation. The circular<br />

addressed to the towns suggested as an occasion for the<br />

convention, the possibility <strong>of</strong> a war with France, as well<br />

as the fact that no Legislature could be convened. S<strong>in</strong>ce<br />

dissolv<strong>in</strong>g the last one the Governor had refused to author-<br />

ize another.<br />

The Town considers A Special towu-meet<strong>in</strong>g was called to conthe<br />

Matter. sidcr this propositiou, on the 21"^ <strong>of</strong> September.<br />

Noth<strong>in</strong>g rema<strong>in</strong>s to show<br />

whether the question was discussed or not. The only<br />

record concern<strong>in</strong>g it is the follow<strong>in</strong>g extract <strong>from</strong> the town<br />

records signed by "Joseph Hawley, Mod."<br />

" Then the Question was put whether the Town would appo<strong>in</strong>t a<br />

Committee to Act for them <strong>in</strong> convention with Such as may be Sent<br />

<strong>from</strong> the Several Towns <strong>in</strong> this prov<strong>in</strong>ce to be Assembled at Faneuil<br />

Hall, <strong>in</strong> Boston, on thursday the Twenty-second day <strong>of</strong> September<br />

Instant, to consult and advise Such measures as his Majesty's subjects<br />

<strong>in</strong> this prov<strong>in</strong>ce may require and it passed <strong>in</strong> the negative uno Solo<br />

contradicente. Sixty-five or six voters were present."<br />

Action <strong>of</strong> the Con- <strong>Northampton</strong> was among the small m<strong>in</strong>ority<br />

vention. <strong>of</strong> towus that decl<strong>in</strong>ed to take part <strong>in</strong> these<br />

proceed<strong>in</strong>gs. N<strong>in</strong>ety-six towns and eight<br />

districts were represented. After a session <strong>of</strong> six days,<br />

dur<strong>in</strong>g which time pend<strong>in</strong>g questions were thoroughly dis-<br />

cussed, the convention dissolved, hav<strong>in</strong>g denounced the<br />

ungracious legislation <strong>of</strong> England, and renewed their pro-<br />

test aga<strong>in</strong>st the unwholesome and unwelcome laws, with so<br />

much caution and discretion, withal, that those on the<br />

watch for it were unable to detect a s<strong>in</strong>gle trace <strong>of</strong> treason<br />

<strong>in</strong> any <strong>of</strong> their transactions.<br />

Districts and not For upwards <strong>of</strong> twcnty years succeed<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Towns Instituted.<br />

i\^q <strong>in</strong>corporation <strong>of</strong> Southampton as a dis-<br />

trict, <strong>Northampton</strong> was represented <strong>in</strong> the<br />

General Court by only three different persons. Dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />

this time, and down to 1780, a period <strong>of</strong> thirty-three years,<br />

Northam])ton and Southampton constituted one represent-<br />

ative district. Some years before the latter town was set<br />

<strong>of</strong>f, a dist<strong>in</strong>ctive blow was aimed at popular government <strong>in</strong>

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!