The History of the Insurrections, by George Minot

HISTORY

OF THE

INSURRECTIONS, &C.

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PART I .

IN order to judge rightly of the causes which led to the insurrections in Massachusetts, in the year 1786, and the unfortunate rebellion which ensued, it will be necessary to take a view of the situation of that Commonwealth at the close of the war. The citizens were then left free indeed, and in full possession of the valuable objects which they had fought to obtain. But the price of those objects was high, and could not but be attended with the usual consequences of great exertions, when founded on the anticipation of publick resources. Their private state debt, when consolidated, amounted to upwards 1,300,00l. besides 250,000l. due to the officers and soldiers of their line of the army. Their proportion of the federal debt, was not less, by a moderate computation, than one million and an half of the same money. And, in addition to this, every town was embarrassed, by advances which they had