Gazette Report on the Closing of the Courts at Springfield

NORTHAMPTON, January 3.

The Court of General Sessions of the Peace and the Court of Common Pleas, by a late resolve of the General Court, were directed to be holden at Springfield, on the 26th ulta. In the morning of that day, a number of armed men took possession of the ground near the Court-House with an avowed design to prevent the Justices from entering the houses. A Committee from the insurgents waited on the Justices with a request, that the Courts might not be opened, and intimations were given that very disagreeable consequences would follow in case of non compliance and sentinels were placed at the door of the room where the Justices had assembled. As no Jurors had been summoned, and no business was proposed to be done, if there had been no opposition, except choosing a Clerk, and as no force had been collected or attempted to be collected to support the Courts, the Justices present thought it prudent and necessary to inform the said Committee, that the Courts would not be opened at that time. The Committee requested an answer in writing; the Justices informed them, if they expected a written answer, they must exhibit their request in writing; they retired and soon after produced their written request, of which the following is a copy:

"Springfield, Dec. 26, 1786.
"WE request the Hon. Judges of this Court, not to open said Court at this term nor do any kind of business whatever, but all kinds of business remain as though no such Court had been appointed.
LUKE DAY
DANIEL SHAYS,
THOMAS GROVER"

To which the following answer was returned:
"Springfield, Dec 26, 1786.
"THE Justices of the Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Sessions of the Peace, now assembled at Springfield, in consideration of the opposition made to the opening the said Courts, have determined not to do any business, or open the said Courts at this term.
"ELEAZER PORTER."
Soon after which the insurgents, amounting, as was supposed, to about 300, quietly dispersed.