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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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1774] REVOLUTION—PRELIMINARY EVENTS. 349<br />

tion. This com<strong>in</strong>ittee was composed <strong>of</strong> the foHow<strong>in</strong>g<br />

named persons :<br />

—<br />

Joseph Hawley, Seth Pomeroy, Josiah<br />

Clark Jr., Benjam<strong>in</strong> Slieldon Jr., Elias Lyman, Elijah<br />

Hunt, Caleb Strong Jr., Ebenezer Hunt Jr., Ephraim<br />

Wright, Levi Shepherd, Robert Breck, Mart<strong>in</strong> Phelps,<br />

Elijah Clark, Samuel Clarke, Abner Barnard, Joseph Lyman.<br />

In May follow<strong>in</strong>g, Quartus Pomeroy, John Lyman<br />

and Jacob Parsons, were added.<br />

Conventions to stir Efforts wcre made dur<strong>in</strong>g the year to conup<br />

the People. centrate public op<strong>in</strong>ion by means <strong>of</strong> conventions<br />

or Congresses, as they were termed,<br />

<strong>in</strong> the several counties. The first <strong>of</strong> these gather<strong>in</strong>gs was<br />

at Stockbridge <strong>in</strong> the County <strong>of</strong> Berkshire, <strong>in</strong> July. In<br />

the months <strong>of</strong> August and September, seven other similar<br />

meet<strong>in</strong>gs were held <strong>in</strong> as many different counties. In all<br />

<strong>of</strong> them a bold and decided stand was taken upon the<br />

questions at issue, and their vigorous language <strong>in</strong>dicated <strong>in</strong><br />

no uncerta<strong>in</strong> tones the state <strong>of</strong> public op<strong>in</strong>ion. About the<br />

miiddle <strong>of</strong> September, a call was issued by the lead<strong>in</strong>g citizens<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Northampton</strong> and Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield for a convention to<br />

assemble here on the 22'' <strong>of</strong> the month. Letters <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>vita-<br />

tion were sent to the several towns by special messengers.<br />

Asahel Pomeroy carried the summons to Sunderland, Montague,<br />

Northfield, and other river and adjacent towns,<br />

while Seth Clapp notified those <strong>in</strong> the hill regions. Every<br />

town <strong>in</strong> the county was represented except Charlemont and<br />

Southwick. On the 3P^ <strong>Northampton</strong> made choice <strong>of</strong> the<br />

follow<strong>in</strong>g delegates : — Joseph Hawley, Ezra Clark, Josiah<br />

Clark Jr., Ebenezer Hunt Jr., and Ephraim Wright.<br />

A. Convention <strong>in</strong> The convcution met <strong>in</strong> <strong>Northampton</strong> at the<br />

<strong>Northampton</strong>. time <strong>in</strong>dicated : Timothy Danielson <strong>of</strong> Brimfield<br />

was chosen chairman and Ebenezer<br />

Hunt Jr. <strong>of</strong> <strong>Northampton</strong>, clerk. After a full and free<br />

discussion <strong>of</strong> the late acts <strong>of</strong> the British Parliament for<br />

tax<strong>in</strong>g the American Colonies, and for subvert<strong>in</strong>g the constitution<br />

<strong>of</strong> this Prov<strong>in</strong>ce, a committee <strong>of</strong> n<strong>in</strong>e persons was<br />

appo<strong>in</strong>ted to consider the whole subject and report. The<br />

convention then adjourned till the next day, when the committee<br />

rej)orted as follows : —<br />

" As they are not able to make any resolves respect<strong>in</strong>g the rights and<br />

liberties <strong>of</strong> the people <strong>of</strong> this prov<strong>in</strong>ce, more agreeable to their own

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