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Petition to Benjamin Lincoln from Daniel Shays
The following is a PETITION sent from Shays to Gen. Lincoln.
To the Hon. Major General LINCOLN.
SIR,
UNWILLING to be any way accessary to the shedding of blood, and greatly desirous of restoring peace and harmony to this convulsed Commonwealth, we propose that all the troops on the part of government be disbanded immediately, and that all and every person, who has been acting, or any way aiding or assisting in any of the late risings of the people, may be indemnified in their person and property, until the setting of the next General Court—and no person be taken, molested, or injured, on account of the above said risings of the people, until a fair opportunity can be had for a hearing in the next General Court, respecting the matters of complaints of the people; and that all matters rest as they are on all parts until that time, and all the persons that have been taken on the part of government be released without punishment. The above conditions to be made sure by Proclamation, issued by his Excellency the Governor: On which conditions, the people now in arms, in defence of their lives and liberties, will quietly return to their respective habitations, patiently waiting and hoping for constitutional relief from the insupportable burdens they now labour under.
DANIEL SHAYS.
Per Order, DANIEL GRAY, Chairman.
Wilbraham, Jan. 25, 1787.
To the Hon. Major General LINCOLN.
SIR,
UNWILLING to be any way accessary to the shedding of blood, and greatly desirous of restoring peace and harmony to this convulsed Commonwealth, we propose that all the troops on the part of government be disbanded immediately, and that all and every person, who has been acting, or any way aiding or assisting in any of the late risings of the people, may be indemnified in their person and property, until the setting of the next General Court—and no person be taken, molested, or injured, on account of the above said risings of the people, until a fair opportunity can be had for a hearing in the next General Court, respecting the matters of complaints of the people; and that all matters rest as they are on all parts until that time, and all the persons that have been taken on the part of government be released without punishment. The above conditions to be made sure by Proclamation, issued by his Excellency the Governor: On which conditions, the people now in arms, in defence of their lives and liberties, will quietly return to their respective habitations, patiently waiting and hoping for constitutional relief from the insupportable burdens they now labour under.
DANIEL SHAYS.
Per Order, DANIEL GRAY, Chairman.
Wilbraham, Jan. 25, 1787.
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