Printed Material

Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin Regarding Proclamation

Date: March 28, 1787
Creator: Benjamin Franklin
Publisher: Hampshire Gazette
About this artifact

When Benjamin Franklin received a letter from Governor James Bowdoin of Massachusetts about rewards for apprehending "the several promoters of rebellion in your state," he immediately had the Massachusetts proclamation published in the newspaper. Franklin, who was the president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, was pleased to inform Bowdoin that the Pennsylvania Legislature had decided to add to the rewards being offered by Massachusetts for the capture of Daniel Shays, Luke Day, Adam Wheeler and Eli Parsons. Franklin concluded by praising the Massachusetts Constitution as one of the best in the union and expressed happiness that the "great majority of your people, will always secure it from the mad attempts to overthrow it."

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Courtesy Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield, MA