16 



property, the lives, the reputation, and the liberty of the citizens 

 to unworthy hands. Although he was hy nature, and by his 

 habits, less fitted for mifitary duties, than for those of civil life ; 

 yet his arrangements of the militia gave universal satisfixction. 

 Most of the independent corps in the town of Boston, and many 

 in other parts of the state, which have been distinguished for their 

 brilliant and soldierlike appearance, were formed under his admin- 

 istration, and he had the pleasure w^hile in office to see the militia 

 as respectable as any that have appeared iu this, or perhaps in any 

 country. Respectable foreigners, and citizens of other states, 

 while they were received with proper attention, which gratified 

 their feelings, w^ere impressed with a respect that dignified the 

 government, as well as the Governor. 



HE was agam placed in the chair in the year 1786, d 



(T 



which year, a cloud arose with so 



pect to the 



must enojao; 



freedom of America, as called for the exertions of all his abilities 

 to dissipate. The insurrection in this state, was an occurrence 

 interesting at the time, so important in its pohtical eifects, and 



memorable in the history of this country, that it 

 our attention for a few moments, especially as the charactc°r of 

 Mr. BowDOiN was greatly developed by the part which he acted 

 upon the occasion. Many causes concurred to produce this dis- 

 turbauce : a long war from which this country had but just e- 

 merged, had left on the people a heavy debt, which was felt with 

 greater weight, as the taxes had been suffered for some years to 

 accumulate, by the incautious remitness in the collection of them : 

 A depreciating paper currency had thrown many honest people 

 mto difficult circunjstances : These were aggravated by their see- 



ing 



