Account of a Letter from James Bowdoin to Mr. Putnam

His Excellency the Governour laid before
the Council a Letter of General Putnam's
dated the 8^ instant wherein he mentions that
he had lately a conversation with M^r Shays
to whom he put a question and left it to him
to answer it, if he pleased — which was —
"had you an opportunity would you accept of
a pardon and have those people to themselves,
Shays answered — Yes — in a moment —

The Council took the same into consideration
and thereupon advised — That his Excellency
the Governour write to General Putnam in answer
to his Letter of the 8^ Ins^t. that he may tell
Shays that in case he should ^would immediately
leave the insurgents and engage to conduct as a
good Citizen in future he may inform him
that he shall be protected by Government
and in case he should be convicted by any
judicial Court of illegal proceedings; Gen^l.
Putnam may assure him he shall receive
a pardon from the Governour & Council

Attest -
John Avery jun^r Secy