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To the Printer of the Hampshire Gazette.

SIR,
It has some how or other fallen to my lot to be employed in a more conspicuous manner than some others of my fellow citizens, in stepping forth in defence of the rights and privileges of the people, more especially of the county of Hampshire.

Therefore, upon the desire of the people now at arms, I take this method to publish to the world of mankind in general, particularly the people of this commonwealth, some of the principal grievances we complain of, and of which we are now seeking redress, and mean to contend for until a redress can be obtained, which we hope will soon take place; and if lo our brethren in this commonwealth, that do not see with us as yet, shall find we shall be a peaceable as they be.

In the first place I must refer you to a draught of grievances drawn up by a Committee of the people now at arms, under the signature of Daniel Gray, Chairman, which is heartily approved of, some others are also here added, viz.

1st. The General Court, for certain obvious reasons, must be removed out of the town of Boston.

2d. A revision of the constitution is absolutely necessary.

3d. All kinds of governmental securities, now on interest, that have been bought of the original owners, for 2s. 3s. 4s. and the highest for 6s. 8d. on the pound, and have received more interest than ever the principal cost the speculator who purchased them- that if justice was done, we verily believe nay positively know, it would owe this commonwealth thousands of pounds.

4th. Let the lands belonging to this commonwealth at the eastward, be sold at the best advantage, to pay the remainder of our domestic debt.

5th. Let the monies arising from impost and excise, be appropriated to discharge the foreign debt.

6th. Let that act, passed by the General Court last June, by a small majority of only seven, called the Supplementary Aid, for twenty-five years yet to come, be repealed.

7th. The total abolition of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace.

8th. Deputy-Sheriffs totally set aside, as a useless set of officers in the community; and Constables, who are really necessary, be impowered to do the duty, by which means a large swarm of lawyers will be banished form their wonted haunts, who have been more damage to the people at large, especially the common farmers, than the savage beasts of prey.

To this I boldly sign my proper name, as a hearty well wisher to the real rights of the people.

THOMAS GROVER.
Worcester, Dec. 7, 1786.

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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There is currently no available "Beginner" label. The following is the default level label: Thomas Grover was a regulator leader from Montague, Massachusetts. He wrote this list of grievances for which the rebels sought redress, and states that he boldly signs his proper name. Many articles for both sides of the rebellion were signed with pseudonyms. The grievances include moving the state capitol out of Boston and revising the state constitution. A major grievance was the speculation in state notes. Men who fought in the Revolution received part of their pay at the end of their service in notes. They found that merchants would not accept the notes at face value, and indeed, speculators often paid only 2 to 6 shillings per pound (20 shillings equal a pound) for them. The speculators then made huge amounts of interest and were eventually able to redeem them for face value. William Butler began publication of the Hampshire Gazette on September 6, 1786, in Northampton, Massachusetts, 18 days after the Regulators prevented the Court of Common Pleas from convening there. The newspaper often urged support of the government and was generally against the activities of the Regulators. The paper came out on Wednesdays and consisted primarily of articles reprinted from other newspapers.

 

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List of grievances by Shaysite Thomas Grover -article published in Hampshire Gazette newspaper

publisher   Hampshire Gazette
author   Thomas Grover (1738-1804)
date   Dec 27, 1786
location   Northampton, Massachusetts
height   9.0"
width   2.0"
process/materials   printed paper, ink
accession #   #L07.039


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See Also...

"An address to the People of Several Towns" article regarding Shays' Rebellion, in Hampshire Gazette newspaper

Published letter to Thomas Grover from the Hampshire Gazette newspaper

"List of Grievances" poem published in the Hampshire Gazette newspaper.


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