152 Chapter 6 | GrowinG Pains | Period Three 175 4 –18 0 0willing to lay down their arms, on the condition of a general pardon, and return
to their respective homes, as they are unwilling to stain the land, which we in the
late war purchased at so dear a rate, with the blood of our brethren and neigh-
bours. Therefore, we pray that hostilities may cease... until our united prayers
may be presented to the General Court, and we receive an answer, as a person is
gone for that purpose....daniel shays, captain.
The Honorable General Lincoln.
As the officers of the people, now convened in defence of their rights and priv-
ileges, have sent a petition to the General Court, for the sole purpose of accom-
modating our present unhappy affairs, we justly expect that hostilities may cease
on both sides, until we have a return from our legislature....francis stone, chairman.
daniel shays, captain.
adam wheeler.
January 31st, 1787
Gentlemen,
Your request is totally inadmissible, as no powers are delegated to me which
would justify a delay of my operations. Hostilities I have not commenced.
I have again to warn the people in arms against the government, immediately
to disband, as they would avoid the ill consequences which may ensue, should
they be inattentive to this caution.b. lincoln.
George Richards Minot, The History of the Insurrections in Massachusetts, in the Year
MDCCLXXXVI, and the Rebellion Consequent Thereon (Worcester, MA: Isaiah Thomas, 1788),
120–122, transcribed into modern English by Jason Stacy.praCtiCing historical thinking
Identify: What are Shays’ demands? What is Lincoln’s response?
Analyze: Why does Lincoln have to “warn the people in arms against the govern-
ment... to disband”?
Evaluate: To what extent does Shays’ Rebellion mirror other armed conflicts that
preceded the Revolutionary War?topiC i | The Perils and Possibilities of Expansion 15307_STA_2012_ch6_145-168.indd 152 23/04/15 5:43 PM