A Shaysite Defends the “Risings of the People”

DANIEL GRAY, Address to the People of Several Towns (1786)

The victory over the British and the establishment of the Articles of Confederation hardly settled all the challenges facing the newly independent states. The class conflict John Adams noted during the Revolutionary era (Document 6-2) persisted into the 1780s. A financial crisis following the war dealt poor debtors a difficult challenge: they could not repay debts because there was so little circulating currency, credit was tight, courts enforced judgments against them, and the state legislature increased taxes on already strapped farmers. Resentment boiled over, and men like Daniel Shays and others attempted to shut down the courts to prevent them from foreclosing on farmers’ land. These rebellions were ultimately crushed, but the insurgencies shocked many who went on to urge constitutional reforms. This process ultimately resulted in the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. In this speech at the height of the insurgency in western Massachusetts, Daniel Gray (1728–1803), chairman of the committee supporting the protests, outlines the insurgents’ cause.

Worcester Dec[ember] 7th 1786

An address to the People of the Several towns in the County of Hampshire from the body now at Arms

Gentlemen, we have thought Proper to inform you of some of the principle Causes of the late Risings of the People, and also of their present Movement (viz)[:]

1st The Present expencive mode of Collecting Debts, which by reason of the Great Scarcity of Cash will of Necessity fill our Gaols with unhappy Debtors, and there by Hinder a respectable body of People incapable of being Serviceable Either to them selves or Community.

2dly The moneys raised by impost and Excise being appropriated to Discharge the Interest of Government Securities; (and the forreign Debt) when those Securities are in no wise subject to taxation.

3dly A Suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpes; by which those Persons who have steped forth to ascert and maintain the rights of the People are liable to be taken and Conveyed even to the most Distant Parts of the Commonwealth and there by Subject to an unjust Punishment.

4thly The unlimited Power granted to Justices of the Peice, thereof Deputy Sherifs, and Constables by the riot act indemnefying them in the Prosecution thereof, when Perhaps situated wholly by a principle of revenge Hatred and invy. Futhermore be it asured that this body Dispise the Idea of being instigated by british Emisaries which is so streniously Propigated by the Emimies of our Liberties, we also wish the most Proper and speedy measures may be taken to Discharge both of our foreign and Domistick Debt.

Per Order Daniel Gray {Chairman of a

{committee for

{the above Purpose

Daniel Gray, “Address to the People of Several Towns.” December 7, 1786.

READING AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS