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

1775.] REVOLUTION—PRISONERS OF WAR—TORIES. 371
They undoubtedly endeavored to get all tlie enjoyment pos-
sible out of tlieir unsatisfactory position. That they became
something of a nuisance to the citizens of the place,
may well be believed. It is but natural to conclude that
they did not always conduct themselves properly, for in
December, 1775, the matter was brought before the town.
An article was inserted in the warrant relative to allowing
the officers and midshipmen confined in the jail to be ab-
sent from their lodgings in the evening. No other action
was taken than to allow the article to " subside,"
Whigs and Tories.
It is difficult iu the light of the civilizatiou
of the present day fully to comprehend the
bitter hostility that existed between whigs and tories before
and during the struggle with Great Britain. The feeling
manifested during the late rebellion between federalist and
"copperhead," between northern born and southern born,
was never so intense as that which prevailed during the decade
that included the Revolution. On the broad ground
of liberty as established by chartered rights, the whigs re-
sisted the oppressions of the mother-country. Ready to
sacrifice property and life itself if need be, in vindication
of these rights, they had little patience with those who
through lukewarmness or policy, hoped by delay and
acquiescence, to bring about reconciliation. On the other
hand the tories, while many of them were to an extent
patriotic, claimed that submission to a power so greatly
superior, was the only way to overcome existing difficulties,
and secure the prosperity of the colonies.
Much Unpleasant- Tliis diversity of sentiment, maintained
ness between the with equal eamestuess on both sides, led to
much unpleasantness. Everywhere the
whigs were numerically the stronger, and in many instances
took summary metliods to reclaim their misguided brethren.
West of Connecticut River the lines were strongly
marked, and the people were energetic in their movements.
Throughout this entire section the sentiment against tories
was bitter, and many of them were sent to jail, or forced
to fly to more congenial climes. But in Northampton, at
least, greater conservatism prevailed, and less disposition