Government we trust will indulge our Expostulating a lit=
tle on this matter when they reflect how exceedingly in=
teresting it is to every individual in the State.-
And indeed we cannot but be urgent in pressing our petition
at this time not only on account of the Publick good we
think would accrue by its being granted; but from our
Fraternel fealings. In the course of a few Years many Per=
sons have removed from this Town into the upper Country
by which means many of us have own Brothers, & near Re=
lations, among the Insurgents: and hence arises a reluc=
tancy to ingageing in the Service of the Commonwealth, &
not from any aversion to Government; for altho; we may
be constrained from a Love of our Country & its Laws, to
join with the Law in pronouncing the Sentence of Death
on our Breatheren who have arisen in arms against
Government; yet nature recoils at the thought of being Per=
sonally the Executioners of that Sentance. And here we
by leave to observe that it has been fully represented
that a great part of the Inhabitants of this Town was for
Shays, & disaffected to Government; but we affirm there never
has any of the inhabitants of this Town, to our knowledge
join with that
party. It is true likewise, that this Town has not turned
out so freely for Government as Some others & we aver
for the above Reasons. But is a pardon is once more
held out, and Should be refused by the Insurgents
we trust it would effectually cure us of all Scruples
and animate every individual to a more Chearful com
plience with the Requisitions of Government. And that
all the present commotions may be over ruled for the
truest Interest & happiness of this Commonwealth your
Petitioners as in duty bound Shall ever pray.
At a Town-meeting legally assembled in Hopkinston
on wednesday the first day of February A.D. 1787.
Noted that the foregoing Petition be presented to the
honourable General Court now Setting in Boston by Capt.
Walter McFarland, our Representative in Said Court.
attest Samuel Barrett T. Clerk
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