1 



i 



ing some of their more artful neighbors suddenly possessed of the 

 property which they .had lost, by their confidence in a medium, 

 tlie operations of which they did not understand. Creditors had 

 been cautious in calling for their debts, while the laws had coun- 



tenanced debtors in offering them an iniquitous compensation. 

 When government therefore began to exert itself to enforce the 

 collection of taxes, and the courts of law were open to do justice 

 to creditors, a few artful men, of desperate fortunes, and wicked 

 hearts, conceived the design of inciting the people, who w^ere 

 without information of the true state of affiiirs, to oppose the 

 courts of law, and even to rise in arms to obstruct them. Many 

 people of honest intentions, from whom their views were con- 

 cealed, w^ere induced to give them countenance, \vithout consid- 

 ering the consequences, wdiich must inevitably follow a state of 

 anarchy, in which the laws, and the regular administration of 

 justice, must be suspended. These combinations Avere extensive 

 and formidable, and perhaps there was a time in which it was 

 'uncertain, whether even a majority of the people were not at least 



in 



disposition not to ojjpose the progress of insurgency, 



Lil 



causes of uneasiness, in a greater or less degree, existed in most of 

 the confederated states : The contagion appeared to spread, and 



imless the progress of their success had been suddenly arrested, 

 the flame which was already kindled, would probably have caught 

 the combustibles scattered throughout the states, and have raged 

 with irresistible fury. Mn Bowdoin was at this time our Gov- 



in a situation to try the fortitude and resources of any 

 Many palliatives were proposed — He was induced for a 

 time to listen to them, and to give his assent to an act, which for . 



ernor 

 man. 



E 



a moment 



