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

1747.] MAJOR JOSEPH HAWLEY. 547
Business Arrange- Major Hawley's biisiiiGss Operations were
'"®"*^- not wholly confined to liis profession. He
seems to have been in trade with his brother
Elisha and his mother, for a few years. They were in partnership
in 1747, and for three or four years, for the purpose
of "carrying on the trades in goods and silver." The
goods were probably the remnants from his father's stock.
A company, consisting of Joseph and Elisha Hawley and
Seth Dwight, to carry on the leather business was formed
in 1747, and continued for about three years. The Hawley
brothers put in £5G2, IG. 11 each, and Dwight £661.1.8. They
bought deerskins from the country round about, and in
Albany. These skins were dressed by people in this town
and vicinity, and sent out by peddlers about the count}''.
Apparently they did a flourishing business for a few years.
As a statesman. Major Hawley struck the key-note in the
uprising of the Revolution, He it was who
stood in the forefront, bold and aggressive, who gave words
to the thoughts that were surging in men's minds. In advance
of all the men of Massachusetts, he denied the right
of Parliament to make laws for America. In advance of
all he proclaimed that the colonies must fight. Yet with
all his boldness he counseled delay in accepting the gage of
battle. Not that he hoped for a compromise, an adjustment
on terms, but he saw that the fight must be to the
bitter end, and he urged careful preparations. If war
should be precipitated before the proper dispositions were
made, before supplies were obtained or the soldiers properly
drilled, defeat would be certain. He had much to do
towards shaping the work of preparation in Massachusetts.
Before all others, Major Hawley advocated independence.
While others were dreaming of a settlement with England,
he insisted upon a union among the colonies, and suggested
that a general and comprehensive plan of procedure should
be adopted. He, more than any other patriot of his day,
saw the true tendency of affairs. From the beginning he
saw the end, and threw his whole soul into the conflict.
Aids in Recruiting.
Duriug the strugglc. Major Hawley labored
diligently to inculcate patriotic principles
among the people. He took a personal interest in the work