6 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



providing for various measures of political interest in con- 

 formity with the sentiment of the people, and, incidentally, 

 one of agricultural interest; viz., " For the care and preser- 

 vation of sheep and for the raising of flax and for the manu- 

 facture of linen and such other cloths as shall be most useful 

 and necessary;" thus early associating the agricultural in- 

 terests with the welfare of the State. 



This action of the citizens of Berkshire was probably the 

 first combined action against royal rule. But even this did 

 not contemplate forcible resistance to the constituted authori- 

 ties. That step was reserved for Great Barrington, then the 

 shire town of the county. On the sixteenth day of August, 

 1774, the judges of the king's court, with the attendant 

 officers, came here to hold a regular session of the court, but 

 were met by the people, who with force and arms prevented 

 their sitting and repudiated their authority. I quote from 

 Taylor's history of Great Barrington : — 



" When tho time for holding Ihis court .arrived a very large body of 

 men from all parts of the county, including from three to five hundred 

 from Litchfield County, assembled at Great Barrington, took possession 

 of the court house, filling it to overflowing and cfFectuall}^ prevented 

 the judges and magistrate from either occupying the building or trans- 

 acting any business. In vain the sheriff endeavored to make a passage 

 for the judges. The people knew no court, recognized in the judges 

 no authority, but insisted that they should leave the town, which they 

 did." 



And from that 16th day of August, the people of Great 

 Barrington recognized no authority save that of the people 

 themselves. 



It may seem a very simple and insignificant matter, as an 

 historical fact, that a crowd of men, representing, as it were, 

 a mob, should prevent the sitting of a county court. But 

 remember, that this was the deliberate act of the people ; 

 that they knew then, as we know to-day, that the civil 

 authorities in the exercise of their proper functions represent 

 the full power of the government; and in that act the people 

 of Great Barrington commenced the actual work of the 

 Revolution. 



I quote further : 



