Following the American Revolution, a severe recession, the institution of a new real estate tax, and a lack of currency devastated many Massachusetts farmers. One, Daniel Shays organized a revolt, known as Shays’ Rebellion (August 1786-July 1787) against the state government. This letter, published in the Hampshire Gazette, is a response to a letter signed by Thomas Grover that was published on December 27, 1786. The author quite obviously is on the side of the government. K. N. views Grover and his friends as insurgents, and makes a play on words saying that instead of “defense,” Grover actually meant “defiance.” William Butler began publication of the Hampshire Gazette on September 6, 1786, in Northampton, Massachusetts, 18 days after the Shays and his “Regulators” prevented the Court of Common Pleas from convening there. The newspaper often urged support of the government and was generally against the activities of the Regulators. The paper came out on Wednesdays and consisted primarily of articles reprinted from other newspapers.
Published letter to Thomas Grover from the Hampshire Gazette newspaper. Hampshire Gazette, January 17, 1787. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l06-083/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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