The History of the Insurrections, by George Minot

community. Whenever discontent becomes the only condition of indulgence among any people, they cannot be happy, and, least of all, a people situated as those of Massachusetts were, at this singular period. They were just about quitting a well fought contest, in which almost every man had personally assisted. The applause of the world was fresh on their minds, and they felt a title to retirement and repose. Whatever interrupted this right, naturally appeared like a grievance, and became discountenanced as an abridgement of their liberties. They could not realize that they had shed their blood in the field, to be worn out with burdensome taxes at home ; or that they had contended, to secure to their creditors, a right to drag them into courts and prisons.

With such high wrought notions of freedom in the people, it was difficult for the legislature either to govern without appearing to tyrannise [sic], or to relieve without appearing to be overcome. The General Court, in this dilemma, chose to consider the commotions [sic]of the populace, as evidence of their real distresses. And in addition to the tender act, they passed a law in the month of November following, by which, with the indulgence of natural parents, they pardoned the rioters without a single exception.