The History of the Insurrections, by George Minot

obedience. The share of publick requisitions should be affixed to property, by a known unchanging, and if possible, a proportionate standard. It then becomes involved in the value of the property, and that value is not afterwards subject to fluctuate from principles of taxation. The possessor is never surprised with a weight of taxes beyond his calculation, nor exempted from his due proportion at the expense of his neighbours. But, whether such a rule can be unalterably established in a young country, where new property is daily rising into view, and the old changing in its value, it may be difficult to determine. Certain it is, however, that, in forming a valuation in the year 1785, great, though not unusual, difficulties arose. Among other counties, those of Hampshire and Berkshire were said, by their members, to have been valued too high ; and some discontent must be attributed to this real or supposed error.

The usual consequences of war, were conspicuous upon the habits of the people of Massachusetts. Those of the maritime towns relapsed into the voluptuousness which arises from the precarious wealth of naval adventurers. An emulation prevailed among men of fortune, to exceed each other in the full display of their riches. This was imitated among the less opulent classes of citizens, and drew them off from those principles of dili