Qass 
 
 Book > t\'^h"5 B o 
 
rORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Major JOSEPH HAWLEY 
 
 OF NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 
 
 1723^1788 
 
 A REPRINT^ FROM THE 
 
 HAWLEY\ RECORD" 
 
 BY ELI AS K HAWLEY 
 
 1300 — i8go 
 
 a detail ed descri/ptimi of the HAWLEY RECORD 
 see fly-leaf at the end of this Sketch 
 
 BUFFALO, N. V. 
 PJfESS OF E. H. HUTCHINSON &= CO. 
 
 tSqo 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Major JOSEPH HAWLEY 
 
 OF NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 
 
 A REPRINT FROM I'HE 
 
 "HA VVLE Y RE C ORD " 
 
 ijoo — i8go 
 
 For a detailed description of the HAWLEY RECOBiy 
 see fly-leaf at the end of this Sketch 
 
 BUFFALO, X. y. 
 iSpo 
 

 •Szc:,, of 
 §. cK. cK iitcfvUtsovv &: £o. 
 
 Saiiffafc, 91. 6J|. 
 
SKETCH 
 
 i< 
 
 Note 230.— MAJOR JOSEPH HAWLEY, A.M., No. 6222, 
 son of Lieut. Joseph and Rebecca (Stoddard) Hawley, of North- 
 ampton, Mass., was born 8 Oct., 1723, and graduated at Yale 
 College in 1742, a little before he was nineteen years of age; stud- 
 ied law and established himself in his profession in his native 
 to\yn, where he was Town Clerk in 1749, and a Justice of the 
 , Peace in 1752, when he married Mercy, daughter of Joseph 
 and Abigail (Lewis) Lyman. They had no children, but 
 brought up a boy named Joseph Hawley Clarke, who died at 
 Springfield, Mass. (For the Lyman family, see Note 126.) 
 
 The monument to the memory of Mr. Hawley is in the 
 form of an old fashioned table about three feet high, and four 
 feet long by three wide. The inscription reads : 
 
 This Monument 
 
 Erected by Joseph Clarke 
 
 to the memory op the 
 
 Hon. JOSEPH HAWLEY, Esqr., 
 
 WHO Died March 10th, 17j8, 
 
 AGED 64 YEARS. 
 
"On the 21st of March, 1759, the Indians appeared at Col- 
 rain fEastern Vermont] and captured John McConn and his 
 wife. The latter was sacrificed to the early cruelty of her cap- 
 tors on the second day's march. A party of militia, led by Ma- 
 jor Hawley of Northampton, started in pursuit, but the enemy 
 were soon at a safe distance, and the troops proceeded no fur- 
 ther than Greenfield." (Hist. Vermont, p. 88.) 
 
 It appears that thus early Mr. Hawley held a military title, 
 and by it lie was always known. He afterwards refused all of- 
 fers of higher titles, and public offices except Representative. 
 
 In 1740 an Association of merchants and others, of Boston 
 and vicinity, was formed to furnish a currency for the benefit of 
 trade and business in general, then greatly depressed by lack 
 of a circulating medium. This institution was called " the Land 
 Bank, or Manufactory Scheme." This " Scheme," after a con- 
 siderable issue of bills, failed, or rather was suppressed by Eng- 
 lish authority. In connection with some of the transactions of 
 this Association, the following poetic effusion was discovered 
 and published.* It is here produced because of the high com- 
 pliment to Maj. Joseph Hawley of Northampton, with others, as 
 being incapable of being turned from rectitude of character 
 under any circumstances. 
 
 " When Major Hawley goes astray, 
 And Otis knows not what to say ; 
 When Gen'ral Ruggles falsehood speaks, 
 And Sampson Stoddard silence keeps ; 
 When Col'nel Cotton wins his wager. 
 And Father Witt is made a major ; 
 When Col'nel Noyes shall keep his seat, 
 Land Banks shall be no more a cheat." 
 
 * N. E. Hist, and Genealogical Register, vol. xiv., 263. 
 
5 
 
 Deficiencies in General History. 
 
 History claims great things for herself, and is, perhaps, en- 
 titled to a degree of praise for what she tells us about the past; 
 but the facts she does not record, and the characters she wholly 
 neglects and ignores, are a thousand to one to those she men- 
 tions. Voluminous as are the records of other times, we should 
 consider them stinted and imperfect indeed, could we see at a 
 glance the unrecorded great events which have transpired, and 
 the unnamed and unknown great characters who have lived on 
 the earth. 
 
 It is not an uncommon occurrence that men largely instru- 
 mental in producing great and beneficent changes in public 
 affairs "get left," as the phrase is, when history makes up its 
 record. Some accident, some false impression, some oversight 
 or prejudice, some personal bias — modesty, false or true, one side, 
 or brazen cheek on the other, contrives to leave in obscurity a 
 truly worthy name, while another, less worthy, or worthy not 
 at all, is lifted above the horizon, and as years pass, is taken 
 more and more distinctly as the proper representative of an era 
 or an idea. 
 
 One of the most praiseworthy employments, therefore, of 
 the historic press and of historical societies, is to rescue from 
 threatened oblivion such important facts and such deserving 
 characters before tliey are beyond human reach down the ever- 
 rolling river. 
 
 Letter of Hon. Charles Francis Adams. 
 
 QuiNCY, Mass., 8 October, 1848. 
 Elias S. Hawley, Esq., Buffalo: 
 
 Dear Sir : It has always been to me a matter of serious re- 
 gret that so little remains of the personal history of Major Haw- 
 
le}'. What appears of his action during the Revolution has given 
 me a very exalted notion of his character, yet so far as I know, the 
 little tribute paid to his memory in Mr. Tudor's Life of Otis, is 
 the only one now to be found. This ought not to be. I am 
 therefore glad to understand from your letter that you are about 
 to give us something additional. I wish I could help you 
 more, but if nothing else you have my good wishes at least. 
 
 The letter to which you refer is not extant so far as I can 
 ascertain. I have of Major Hawley's handwriting only two rem- 
 nants, one of them a brief note addressed to Mrs. A. Adams, my 
 grandmother, requesting a loan of a law book. The other, a 
 very interesting letter to John Adams, pointing out the policy 
 tobe adopted by the Massachusetts delegates in the first congress. 
 Of this letter I will furnish you a copy, if you desire it. It has 
 never been printed.* 
 
 All that I know besides, of Major Hawley, is to be found in 
 the journals of the Provincial Congress, which were printed in 
 1838, and in the late volumes of the American Archives, pub- 
 lislied b}^ Mr. Force, at Washington. These afford proof of 
 the vigour of his character, and of the great influence which 
 he exercised in the councils of the Patriot Provincial Con- 
 gress, lliat he allowed a false delicacy to limit the sphere of 
 his usefulness is the only indication of weakness that I find. 
 Mr. Tudor says of him, that the imputation of selfish views 
 was so insupportable to him, he resolved never to accept of an}' 
 office whatever. If General Washington and the other patri- 
 ots of the Revolution had followed such a rule of action, what 
 would have become of the country ? Had Major Hawley fol- 
 
 * See fac-simile of the first and copy of the second of the letters here men- 
 tioned, on pages 8 and 9. 
 
7 
 
 lowed a different system, he would unquestionably have been 
 a veiy efficient leader in the Congress of the confederation 
 where they very often wanted just such a person, and his 
 name and influence would have remained much more strongl}' 
 impressed upon the younger generations in Massachusetts 
 than now. The opinion upon which he acted is not uncom- 
 mon among a very honest and independent class of our citi- 
 zens, to wit : that the power of affixing a suspicion of wrong 
 motive must be taken away from opponents at all hazards, be 
 it even to the abnegation of the means of extensive usefulness. 
 The foundation of it is fear of unjust censure, a motive which 
 I cannot very highly appreciate. Neither does it seem to me 
 entirely in keeping with the ofher portion of Major Hawley's 
 character as we see it in the few letters he has left. I therefore 
 hope that in this particular Mr. Tudor may have somewhat 
 misconceived it, and that some other cause operated to prevent 
 him from pursuing the entire career which at one tnne lay 
 open to him. 
 
 I do not know how I got it, but the impression is strong in 
 my mind that the selection of the first delegates to the Federal 
 Congress in 1774, and particularly the nomination of my grand- 
 father, was very much the act of Major Hawle}'. That he was 
 the guiding spirit in the centre of the province during the whole 
 critical period of transition from colonial to free government is 
 unquestionable. I hope you may find material enough to make 
 the fact fully to appear in the eyes of posterit3\ 
 
 Very respectfully. 
 
 Your obd't serv't, 
 
 Charles Francis Adams. 
 

 Uu^A^i^ .:/h.yt^ZytZf ^^/J^^d_ ';^lj^ 
 
 
 
9 
 
 Major Joseph Hawley to John Adams. 
 
 Northampton, 25 July, 1774. 
 
 Dear Sir : I never received nor heard of your letter of the 
 27th June last wrote at Ipswich until the 22d instant. Immedi- 
 ately on the receipt of it I set myself to consider of an answer 
 to it. What I first remark is your great distrust of your abilities 
 for the service assigned you. However I say that I imagine that 
 I have some knowledge of your abilities, and I assure you Sir, I 
 gave my vote for you most heartily, and I have not yet repented of 
 it. My opinion is that our Committee taken together is the best 
 we could have taken in the province;. I should be extremely 
 sorry that any one of them should fail of going : the absence of 
 any one of them will destroy that happy balance or equilibrium 
 which they will form together. I acknowledge that the service 
 is most important and I don't know who is fully equal to it, the 
 importance of the business ought not to beget despondency in 
 any one, but to' excite to the greatest circumspection the most 
 attentive and mature consideration and calmest deliberation, 
 courage and fortitude must be maintained. If we give way to 
 despondency it will soon be all over with us; rashness must be 
 avoided; the end or effect of every measure proposed must be 
 thoroughly contemplated before it be adopted. It must be well 
 looked to that the measure be feasible and practicable. If we 
 make atteraptes and fail in them. Lord North will call them im- 
 pudent and futile and the Tories will triumph. 
 
 It appears to me, sir, that the congress ought first to settle 
 with absolute precission the object or objects to be pursued as 
 whether the end of all shall be the repeal of the tea duty only, 
 or that and the molasses duty, or them and opening the port of 
 Boston or them and also the restoration of the Charter of Massa- 
 
10 - 
 
 chusetts Baj' (for it is easy to demonstrate that the late act for 
 regulation &c. in its effects annuls the whole Charter, so far as 
 the Charter granted any privilege). When the objects or ends to 
 be pursued are clearly and certainly settled, the means or meas- 
 ures to be used to obtain and effect those ends can be better 
 judged of, most certainly the objects must be definitely agreed 
 on, and settled b}^ the Congress first or last. 
 
 As to means and measures I am not fully settled or deter- 
 mined in my on'n mind. It may not be prudent fully to explain 
 myself in writing upon that head ; the letter may miscarry. 
 
 You are pleased to say that extremities and ruptures, it is 
 our policy to avoid. I agree if any other means will answer our 
 ends, or if it is plain they would not. 
 
 But let me say, sir, that with me it is settled as a maxim 
 and first truth — that the people, or State who will not or cannot 
 defend their liberties and rights will not have any for any long- 
 time, they will be Shives. Some other State will find them out 
 and will subjugate them. 
 
 You say, Sir, that measures to check and interrupt the tor- 
 rent of luxury are most agreeable to your sentiments. Pray Sir, 
 did any thing ever do it but necessity ? 
 
 The institution of annual congresses, you suppose will 
 brighten the chain and would make excellent statesmen and 
 politicians. I agree it ; but pray Sir, don't you imagine that 
 such an institution would breed extremities and 7-upturesf It ap- 
 pears to me most clear that the institution if formed must be 
 discontinued or we must defend it with ruptures. 
 
 I suggested above that my letter might miscarry, and we 
 don't know when we write to what hands our letters may come. 
 I should therefore be extremely glad to see some or all of the 
 
11 
 
 committee as they pass through this county. If there were an}' 
 hopes of obtaining tlie favor I would beg them all to come 
 through Northampton ; it would not be more than twenty miles 
 farther and as good a road. But I imagine they will all pass 
 through Springfield ; and the favor I earnestly ask of you tSir, is 
 that you would be pleased to inform me by letter by our post, on 
 what day you expect to be at Springfield — and I will endeavor 
 to see the Committee there altho' I should wait there two or 
 three days for it. Pj-ay Sir, don't fail of sending me this intelli- 
 gence — you will probably receive this letter on Saturday this 
 week b}'' Mr. Wilde our Post he keeps Sabbath at Boston he 
 commonly comes out on Monday about eleven o'clock. You 
 may find him — or if you have a letter for him to take either at 
 Messrs. Edes & Gills office or at Mersrs. Fleets in the forenoon it 
 will probably come safe to me next week on Wednesday. I will 
 prevail with him (if I can) to call on you to take a line from you 
 for me. Information of the time you intend to beat Springfield, 
 lam very anxious to obtain. Pray sir, oblige me with it. 
 
 But as it is possible that I may miss of seeing the committee 
 or any of them, which will indeed be to me a very great dis- 
 appointment, I ask leave to make myself free enough to sug- 
 gest the following which if you judge proper I consent you should 
 communicate to your Brethren : you can't Sir, but be fully ap- 
 prised that a good issue of the congress depends a good deal on 
 the harmony, good understanding, and I had almost said 
 brotherly love of its members, and everything tending to beget 
 and improve such mutual affections, and indeed to cement the 
 body ought to be practised, and everything in the least tending 
 to create disgust or strangeness coldness or so much as indiffer- 
 ence carefully avoided. Now there is an opinion which does in 
 
12- 
 
 some degree obtain in the other colonies that the Massachusetts 
 gentlemen and especiall}' of the town of Boston do affect to dic- 
 tate and take the lead in continental measures; that we are apt 
 from an inward vanity and self-conceit to assume big and haughty- 
 airs. Whether this opinion has any foundation in fact, I am not 
 certain. Our own tories propogate it if they did not at first sug- 
 gest it Now I pray that everything in the conduct and behav- 
 ior of our gentlemen which might tend to beget and strengthen 
 such an opinion might be most carefully avoided. It is highly 
 probable in my opinion that you will meet Gentlemen from 
 several of the other colonies fully equal to yourselves, or any of 
 you in their knowledge of Great Britain, the Colonies, Law, His- 
 tory, Government. Commerce &c. 1 know some of the gentle- 
 men from Connecticut are very sensible, ingenuous, solid men — 
 who will go from New York I have not heard, but I know there 
 are very able men there and by what we from time to time see 
 in the public papers, and what our assembly and committees 
 have received from the assemblies and committees of the more 
 southern colonies we must be satisfied that they have men of as 
 much sense and literature as any we can or ever could boast of. 
 But enough of this sort and T ask pardon that I have said so 
 much of it. 
 
 Another thing I beg leave just to hint, that it is very likely 
 you may meet divers gentlemen in Congress who are of Dutch 
 or Scotch or Irish extract — many more there are in those South- 
 ern Colonies of those descents, than in these New England Col- 
 onies, and many of them very worthy, learned men Query 
 therefore whether prudence would not direct that everything 
 should be very cautiously avoided which could give the least 
 umbrage, disgust or affront to any of such pedigree ; for as 
 
13 
 
 *'of every nation and blood he that feareth God and worketh 
 righteousness is accepted of Him," so they ought to be of us. 
 Small things may have important effects in such a business; 
 that which disparages our familj'- ancestors or nation is apt to 
 stick by us, if cast up in Company, and their blood you will find 
 is as warm as ours. 
 
 One thing I want that the Southern Gentlemen should be 
 deeply impressed with that is that all acts of British Legislation 
 which influence and affect our internal polity, are as absolutely 
 repugnant to Liberty and the idea of our being a free people as 
 Taxation or Revenue Acts. Witness the present Regulation act 
 for this province, and if we should not be subdued by what is 
 done already, like acts will undoubtedly be made for otlier Col- 
 onies. I expect nothing but new Treasons, new Felonies, new 
 Misprisions, new Praemunires, & not to say the Lord, the Devil 
 knows what. 
 
 Pray Sir, let Mr. Samuel Adams know that our top tories 
 here give out most confidently that he will certainl}' be took up 
 before the Congress. I am timid not with regard to myself and 
 friend, but 1 am satisfied that they have such advice from head 
 quarters. Please to give my hearty regards to him, tiie speaker 
 & all the gentlemen of the Congress, and I beg neither of them 
 would on any account make default, if they do there will be 
 great searching of heart. You may all manage the journey so 
 that it will be pleasant and very much serve your health, and 
 that God would bless you all, is the most fervent prayer of 
 Sir, your hearty friend and most obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Hawlev. 
 
 Pray Sir don't fail of acquainting me when you shall be 
 in our county. J. H. 
 
u 
 
 Extracts from Tudor' s " Life of Otis," p. 253. 
 " JOSEPH HAWLEY, JOHN HANCOCK, SAMUEL ADAMS. 
 
 "The Legislature of this year (1766) received an accession 
 of three eminent members, who were returned to it for the first 
 time: Joseph Hawley, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams. 
 
 " Major Hawley, a representative from Northampton, ac- 
 quired a very remarkable influence in the public councils. Per- 
 haps Massachusetts can boast of no citizen in all her annals^ 
 more estimable. He continued in the legislature till 1776, and 
 during that period it has been said, that no vote on any public 
 measure, either was or could have been carried without his as- 
 sent. 
 
 " Joseph Hawley was born in 1723, educated at Yale Col- 
 lege in 1742, and followed the profession of the law at North- 
 hampton, where he died in 1788, aged 64 years. As a lawyer 
 he was possessed of great learning; able as a reasoner, and a 
 very manly, impressive speaker. He was at the head of the bar 
 in the western counties of the Province; he had studied with 
 diligence the principles of law as connected with political insti- 
 tutions. This had prepared him for a clear perception of the 
 effects that would have resulted from the execution of the min- 
 isterial plans against the colonies; and caused him to take the 
 most ardent and decisive part against the Stamp Act, and the 
 whole series of arbitrar}^ measures that followed it. The adhe- 
 rents of the administration dreaded him more than any indi- 
 vidual in his part of the countr}^, and as usual, endeavored 
 though most completely in vain, to injure his character. They 
 succeeded indeed, in three official persecutions, in throwing him 
 over the bar, to which he was however soon restored. 
 
15 
 
 "The almost unexampled influence acquired by Major 
 Hawley was owing not only to his great talents, but still more 
 perhaps to his highminded, unsullied, unimpeachable integrity. 
 His enemies sought to undermine his reputation by calumniat- 
 ing his motives, as was their manner toward every distinguished 
 man on the patriotic side. They said, his conduct was factious 
 and principally ruinous, and that the only object which he and 
 his coadjutors of Massachusetts had in view was to bring them- 
 selves into power under a new order of things. The imputation 
 of selfish, sordid views was insupportable to a man of his char- 
 acter. He therefore at once resolved, and pledged himself never 
 to accept any promotion, office or emolument under any gov- 
 ernment. This pledge he severely redeemed. He refused even 
 all promotion in the militia, was several times chosen a Coun- 
 sellor, but declined; and would accept of no other public trust 
 than the nearly gratuitous one of representing his town. A 
 modest estate which descended to him from his father [a] and un- 
 cle, was adequate to support his plain style of living, and he 
 had no desire to accumulate wealth. His character was so no- 
 ble and consistent, that his fellow citizens reposed unhesitating 
 confidence in his integrity; they believed that all the honours 
 and wealth of the mother country would be insufficient to cor- 
 rupt him, and while they saw daily that he sought nothing from 
 his own party. His talents, judgment, and firmness came in 
 aid of this I'eputation for disinterestedness, and gave hiin on all 
 occasions the power of an umpire. The weight of his character 
 was sufficient to balance all the interest, which several gentle- 
 men of great respectability in the western counties exerter' in 
 favor of the administration. The country members espf 
 followed his opinions implicitly, and the most powerful 
 
1^ 
 
 in the Legislature would probably have been unsuccessful, if they 
 had attempted to carry any measure against his opinion. 
 
 "The ascendancy which was allotted him by the deference 
 of others, was a fortunate circumstance for his countr3^ Never 
 was influence exercised with more singleness of heart, with 
 more intelligent, devoted and inflexible patriotism. He made 
 up his mind earlier than most men, that the struggle against 
 oppression would lead to war, and that our rights at last must 
 be secured by our arms. As tiie crisis approached, when some 
 persons urged upon him the danger of a contest so apparently 
 unequal, his answer was, ' We must put to sea ; Providence 
 will bring us into port.' [6] 
 
 " Major Hawley did not appear in the Legislature after the 
 year 1776, but he never relaxed his zeal in service of his coun- 
 try, and was always read}^ to contribute his efforts to the public 
 service. By his private exertions, he rendered assistance at 
 some very critical and discouraging periods. At the season 
 when the prospects of the American army were most gloom}' 
 when the Jerseys were overrun, and the feelings of many were 
 on the verge of despondency, he exerted himself with great ac- 
 tivity and success to rally the spirits of his fellow citizens. At 
 this time, when apathy appeared stealing upon the country, 
 and the people were reluctant to march on a seemingly despe- 
 rate service, he addressed a body of militia, to urge them to vol- 
 unteer as recruits. His manly eloquence, his powerful appeals 
 to their pride, their patriotism, their duty, to everything which 
 they held dear and sacred, awakened their dormant feelings, and 
 ev Hed them to enthusiasm [c] 
 
 On another occasion he rendered a service of much higher 
 . *^\ and may be said not only to have prevented, but to 
 
17 
 
 have radically destroyed an incipient insurrection. At a time 
 wlien the burthens and distress of the war had produced great 
 discontent, and even disaffection in some quarters, and Samuel 
 Ely, a notorious demagogue, had by his factious and treasona- 
 ble efforts gone far to organize in the western part of the State 
 an almost open resistance to the government, delegates from a 
 large number of towns met in convention at Hatfield. The 
 Legislature sent Messrs, Samuel Adams, Stephen Gorham, and 
 General Ward, as commissioners to meet them, and avert if 
 possible the threatened danger. It was a moment of peril and 
 anxiety. Major Hawley was a delegate from Northampton. 
 At the opening of the meeting, the elements of mischief were 
 visible in all their malignity, and seemed ready to burst into 
 open fury. Hawley, with the deepest solicitude, which in great 
 minds is the certain foundation of coolness and self-possession, 
 addressed this convention, consisting of two hundred. His 
 spotless and lofty integrity, before which even the most callous 
 demagogues shrunk abashed, prepared the way to that triumph 
 which his masterly talents achieved. Argument, satire, pleas- 
 antry, alternate appeals to their passions and to their reason, all 
 managed with consummate address and invincible energy, grad- 
 ually subdued their inflamed, refractory humour, and finally 
 moulded them entirely to his will. They not only renounced 
 all their dangerous intentions, but agreed to sign a humble pe- 
 tition to the government, promising future obedience and pray- 
 ing for an act of indemnity for the past, and to make the vic- 
 tory more complete, and to show the danger was entirely de- 
 stroyed, they weie brought with the exception of five persons, 
 to sign the petition, excluding Ely, the leader of all the dis- 
 turbance, from the indemnity, [d] 
 
1^ 
 
 " Major Hawley was a sincerely i-eligious and pious man ; 
 but here as in politics, he loathed all tja^anny and fanatical 
 usurpation. He was, near the close of his life, chosen into the 
 Senate of Massachusetts. Though he would not have taken 
 the trust at any rate, he seized the opportunity to give his 
 testimony against the test act, which to a recent period was a 
 stain in the constitution of that State. In a letter upon the 
 subject, he asked if it was necessary that he should be called 
 upon to renounce the authority of the King of Great Britain 
 and every foreign potentate ? and whether it could be ex- 
 pected that, having been a member of the church for forty 
 years, he should submit to the insult of being called to swear 
 that he believed in the truth of the Christian religion be- 
 fore he could take his seat ?* 
 
 " With all these powerful talents and noble feelings, he 
 was not exempt from misfortune, that occasionally threw its 
 dark shadows over him. He was subject at particular times to 
 an hypocondriac disorder, that would envelope him in gloom 
 and despondency. At these seasons he was oppressed with mel- 
 anchol}'', and would lament every action and exertion of his life. 
 When his mind recovered its tone, the recollection of these suf- 
 ferings was painful and he disliked to have them remembered. 
 
 " Major Hawley was a patriot without personal animosi- 
 ties, an orator without vanity, a lawyer without chicanery, a 
 gentleman without ostentation, a statesman without duplicity, 
 and a Christian without bigotrv. As a man of commanding 
 
 * The test was copied almost verbatim from the English test act, and its in- 
 sertion in the liberal constitution of Massachusetts was a mortifying anomaly. 
 At a late revision of that instrument, by a general convention, this remnant of 
 superannuated bigotry was expunged by general consent. 
 
19 
 
 talents, his firm renuncicition and self-denial of all ambitious 
 views would have secured him that respect which such strength 
 of mind inevitably inspires, while his voluntary and zealous 
 devotion to the service of his countrymen established him in 
 their affection. His uprightness and plainness united to his 
 ability and disinterestedness, gave the most extensive influence 
 to his opinions, and in a period of doubt, division and danger, 
 men sought relief from their perplexities in his authority, and 
 suffered tlieir course to be guided by him when they distrusted 
 their own judgments or the counsel of others. He, in fine, 
 formed one of those manly, public-spirited and generous citi- 
 zens, ready to share peril and decline reward, who illustrate tlie 
 idea of a commonwealth, and who, through the obstructions of 
 human passions and infirmities, being of rare occurrence, will 
 always be the most admired, appropriate, noble ornaments of a 
 free government.'' 
 
 In the same work at page 248 Mr. Tudor says : 
 
 " Tlie answer of this House [to a communication of Sir F. 
 Bernard] was made b}^ a committee composed of Mr. Gushing, 
 the Speaker, of course according to the practice of that day, 
 Otis, Major Hawley, Mr. Samuel Adams, Mr. Landers, Colonel 
 0. Partridge and Col. Bowers. Generally speaking, the first 
 three gentlemen, after the speaker, were on all political commit- 
 tees, and also Mr. Hancock. Otis was the chairman, and his 
 zeal, learning and readiness were all in requisition for draught- 
 ing reports ; these were afterwards a little moderated by Cush- 
 ing, revised and polished by Adams, and decided upon by Maj. 
 Hawley, if necessary, whose oj^inion and influence were all- 
 powerful in the Legislature. 
 
20 
 
 Again at page 279 : 
 
 "They [the House] assembled again December 3d, and 
 passed the bill for granting 'compensation to the sufferers, and 
 general pardon, indemnity and oblivion to the offenders' (in the 
 Stamp Act Riots). The members were divided, 53 to 35. Otis, 
 Adams, Hancock, Havvley, etc., being in the affirmative. The 
 House ordered that Major Hawley, Mr. Otis, and Mr. Adams be 
 a committee to prepare a resolve, setting forth the motives which 
 induced this House to pass the Bill for granting compensation, 
 etc., etc., who reported thereon as follows :" [Here follows the re- 
 port.] 
 
 Again at page 292 : 
 
 " The speech of the Governor at the opening of the winter 
 session in 176S, merely related to some boundary line between 
 this province and some of the adjoining ones. The House soon 
 appointed a committee to take into consideration the situation 
 of public affairs. The number and names of this committee 
 will show how much importance was attached to their deliber- 
 ations. It consisted of the speaker (Mr. Gushing), Colonel Otis, 
 Mr. Adams, Major Hawley, Mr. Otis, xMr. Hancock, Capt. Sheaffe, 
 Golonel Bowers and Mr. Dexter." 
 
 Again at page 312 : 
 
 " In looking back to this period ( the presentation of ' a se- 
 ries of petitions and remonstrances, friendly and respectful in- 
 deed, but most earnest, urgent and unanswerable'), the blind 
 arrogance, indifference or ignorance of the British Councils re- 
 specting American affairs, seems almost incredible. What must 
 have been the feelings of such men as Otis, Hawley, Adams, 
 Hancock, Gushing, Dexter and others on receiving, while in 
 
21 
 
 breathless expectation, the assurance that ' the time was not 
 proper' to pi'esent their petition ! the gentlemen were too much 
 heated by electioneering- disputes to 'pay attention to America,' 
 but he (the agent) would 'watch for an opportunity to throw in 
 their petitions'! How must these men, absorbed in patriotic 
 anxieties, standing on the portentous verge to which they were 
 driven, have read such a communication ! with what bitter 
 mortification, what alienating disgust, must they have heard 
 such pretences and excuses for disregarding all their instant 
 appeals and entreaties ! How^ must the inevitable resort to 
 independence for self-preservation, have rushed upon their 
 minds ! how vividly they must have foreseen the alternative, 
 that after a few more petitions, remonstrances, and resolutions, 
 
 'AFTER ALL, THEY MUST FIGHT.'" 
 
 Again at page 342 : 
 
 [The House having requested the Governor, at the session 
 commencing the last Wednesday of May, 1769, to remove the 
 armed force " by sea and land out of this port and the gates of 
 this city during this session," etc., etc.,] '' The answer of the 
 Governor was laconic : ' Gentlemen, I have no authority over 
 his majesty's ships in this port, or his troops in this town; nor 
 can I give any orders for the removal of the same.' Otis and 
 his father, who had been' again negatived as a Counsellor, to- 
 gether withHawley, Hancock, Adams, Puble and Warren, were 
 the committee for answering this speech. They began by de- 
 claring," etc. 
 
 Again at page 349 : 
 
 "Governor Barnard having sent messages on the 6th and 
 12th July (1769), on the subject of providing funds to discharge 
 
^2 
 
 the expense of quartering the troops in Boston, [e] an answer was 
 made by a committee composed of nearly the same individuals 
 as many previous ones which have been mentioned — Colonel 
 Otis, Major Hawley, Col. Williams, Mr. Adams, Mr. Otis, Col. 
 Ward and Mr. Hancock. The conclusion of this message, the 
 last which the House sent to Governor Barnard, is both for style 
 and matter, such as might be expected from the men who pre- 
 pared it. ' We shall now with your Excellency's leave,' " etc. 
 
 Again at page 370 : 
 
 " The Legislature having met at Cambridge, March 15, 
 
 1770, an answer was made to a message of the Lieut. Governor 
 ' in which he called their attention to a disturbance that had 
 taken place in the town of Gloucester.' This answer will be 
 found in the Massachusetts State Papers, p. 203. The Commit- 
 tee were Col. Otis, Mr. Williams of Taunton, Maj. Hawley, Mr. 
 S. Adams, Mr. Otis, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Saunders of Glouces- 
 ter." [/] 
 
 Again at page 40G, chap. xxv. and onward : 
 
 "Though Otis was not a member of the Legislature after 
 
 1771, [(/] and the motive of giving a sketch of legislative proceed- 
 ings connected with him has ceased, yet there was one occur- 
 rence in 1773, that was of too much consequence to be passed 
 over without at least a slight notice, as it furnished material of 
 the highest value and interest to the Historian, and to every 
 civilian who wishes to investigate the original relations of the 
 English and Colonial governments. 
 
 " At the winter session, 1773, Governor Hutchinson, in his 
 speech to the Legislature" attempted to show that the happi- 
 ness and prosperity of the colonies depended on the continu- 
 
23 
 
 nnce of their connection with the parent state. " He invited 
 them to discuss the subject, and challenged them to overthrow 
 the principles that he laid down, to which he thought they 
 must accede, or else claim independence, 'which' he said, 'I can- 
 not allow to think you have in contemplation.' The answer of 
 the House is a profoundly learned and elaborate exposition of 
 the rights of the colonists, under the constitution and the char- 
 ter, and confutes the whole argument of the Governor. Three 
 weeks afterward, the Governor delivered a long rejoinder and 
 proved ' that he could argue still. ' To this speech the council 
 made a short answer ; but the House, notwithstanding the re- 
 grets which they expressed at the consideration of the questions, 
 showed themselves not loth to continue their refutation. Their 
 reply is even more extended than the former one, descending 
 into some minute details, and proceeding with a more emphatic 
 tone to deny the supremacy of parliament. The first plain 
 avowal of independence by any legislative body in the colo- 
 nies is to be found in these answers of the house of repre- 
 sentatives. 
 
 " The speeches and answers that have been alluded to, will 
 be found in the Massachusetts State Papers, from p. 336 to 399. 
 These answers were written by President Adams, though his 
 name does not appear among the committee, as he was not a 
 member of the Legislature. This circumstance was owing to 
 Major Hawley, who proposed to his colleagues that Mr. Adams 
 should be called to join in their conferences; because as Hutch- 
 inson had thrown the gauntlet in a very laboured production, 
 it was necessary to use great precaution in answering him. 
 The draught prepared by President Adams was accepted by 
 the committee unanimouslv." 
 
24 
 
 Again at page 461, in speaking of General Warren, Mr. 
 Tudor says : 
 
 " He was one of those persons who saw very early ' that ive 
 invst fight,' and the impetuosity of a young and gallant spirit 
 made him always ready for the alternative." 
 
 Notes to the Extracts from Tudor. 
 
 [a] "Joseph Hawley settled in Northampton in 1677, 
 was the son of Thomas Hawley of Roxbury. He was educated 
 at Harvard College. He died in 1711. His children were Lydia, 
 born 16S0; Joseph, 1682; Dorothy, 1684; Samuel, 1686; Thomas, 
 1689; Ebenezer, 1694. Of these four sons, Joseph lived in 
 Northampton; Samuel settled in Hadley or Amherst, where some 
 of his posterity remain; Thomas settled in Ridgefield, Connecti- 
 cut; Ebenezer lived in Northampton and had no children. 
 
 "Joseph Hawley, son of Joseph, who died in 1735, had two 
 children ; Joseph, born 1723, and Elisha, born 1726. Elisha was 
 slain in the battle near Lake George, Sept. 8, 1755. He left no 
 children. His brother Joseph was the distinguished Major Haw- 
 ley, a patriot of the Revolution, Ac. He died childless in 1788, 
 and the race came to an end in Northampton." 
 
 (MS. Letter from Sylvester Judd, Northampton, Mass., 27 
 Feb., 1845, to E. S. Hawley.) 
 
 [6] The following, taken from a letter of President John 
 Adams to Mr. Wirt, is highly characteristic of Mr. Hawley and 
 also contains some very interesting notices of other eminent 
 individuals : 
 
 "When congress had finished their business," says Mr. 
 Adams, "in the autumn of 1774,1 had with Mr. Hen ry^ before 
 
25 
 
 we took leave of each other, some familiar conversation, in which 
 [ expressed a fall conviction that our resolves, declarations of 
 rights, enumerations of wrongs, petitions, remonstrances and ad- 
 dresses, associations and non-importation agreements, however 
 they might be respected in America, and however necessai-y to 
 cement the union of the colonies, would be but waste water in 
 England. Mr. Henry said they might make some impression 
 among the people of England, but agreed with me that they 
 would be totally lost upon the government. I had but just re- 
 ceived a short and hast}'- lettei-, written to me by Major Joseph 
 Hawley of Northampton, containing 'A Few Broken Hints,' as 
 he called them, of what he thought was proper to be done, and 
 concluding with the words, 'after all we must fight.' 
 
 " This letter [ read to Mr. Henry, who listened with 
 great attention, and as soon as I had pronounced the words, 
 'After all, we must fight,' he raised his head with an energy 
 and vehemence that I can never forget, and broke out with 'By 
 God, I am of that man's mind.' I put the letter into his hand, 
 and when he had read it he returned it to me with an 
 equally solemn asseveration that he agreed entirely in the opin- 
 ion of the writer. I considered this a sacred oath upon a very 
 great occasion (and would have sworn it as religiously as he did), 
 and by no means inconsistent with what you say, in some part 
 of your book, that he never took the sacred name in vain. 
 
 "As 1 knew the sentiments with which Mr. Henry left Con- 
 gress in 1774, and knew the chapter and verse from which he 
 had borrowed the sublime expression, ' We must fight,' I was 
 not at all surprised at your history in the 122d page [In VVirfs 
 " Life of Patrick Henry," at page 122, Mr. W. reports Mr. Henry's 
 speech (in part) on his famous Virginia Resolutions, and sub- 
 
26 
 
 joins a note as follows: " There is no longer any room for hope. 
 If we wish to be free — if we wish to preserve inviolate those in- 
 estimable privileges for which we have been so long contend- 
 ing — if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle 
 in which we have been so long engaged and which we pledged 
 ourselves never to abandon, until the glorious object of 
 our contest shall be obtained — we must fight I — I repeat 
 it, sir, we must fight ! ! An appeal to arms and to the God 
 of Hosts is all that is left us." " Imagine to yourself," says 
 my correspondent (Judge Tucker) "this sentence delivered with 
 all the calm dignity of Cato of Utica — imagine to yourself the 
 Roman Senate assembled in the Capitol, when it was entered by 
 the profane Gauls, who at first were awed by their presence, as 
 if they had entered an assembly of the gods! — imagine that you 
 heard that Cato addressing such a Senate — imagine that you saw 
 the handwriting on the wall in Belshazzar's palace — imagine 
 3^ou heard a voice as from heaven uttering the words, ' We must 
 fight,' as the doom of fate, and you may have some idea of the 
 S{)eaker, the assembly to whom he addressed himself, and the 
 auditory, of which I was one."] in tiit^ note and in some of the 
 preceding and following pages. Mr, Jienry only pursued in March, 
 1775, the views and vows of 1774. 
 
 " The other delegates from Virginia returned to their State 
 in full confidence that all our grievances would be redressed. 
 The last words that Mr. Richard Henry, Sr., said to me when we 
 parted, were : ' We shall infallibly carry all our points. You 
 will be completely relieved; all the offensive acts will be re- 
 pealed; the army and fleet will be recalled, and Britain will give 
 up her foolish project.' 
 
 " Washington only was in doubt. He never spoke in public. 
 
27 
 
 In private he joined with those who advocated a non-exporta- 
 tion, as well as a non-importation agreement. With botli, he 
 thought we should prevail; without either he thought it doubt- 
 ful. Henr}' was clear in one opinion; Richard Henry, Sr., in 
 an opposite opinion; and Washington doubted between the two. 
 Henry, however, appeared in the end to be exactly right." 
 
 In the " Life and Writings of Washington," by Jured 
 Sparks, vol. 2, p. 405, occurs a letter written by John Augustin 
 Washington to his brother George, to which is appended the 
 following note on the same page, dated Richmond, 25 March, 
 1775: 
 
 "Washington was now attending the second Virginia Con- 
 vention, which met at Richmond on the 20th of March. At 
 this convention Patrick Henry introduced resolutions for putting 
 the colony in a state of defence, and embodying arming and dis- 
 ciplining a sufficient number of men for that purpose. This was 
 considered a bold measure and was opposed by some of the ab- 
 lest patriots in the assembly. It was on this occasion and in de- 
 fense of his resolutions, that Mr. Henry uttered his memorable 
 declaration, 'We must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An 
 appeal to arms and the God of Hosts is all that is left to us.' 
 The resolutions were carried and a plan adopted for putting 
 them in execution. Washington was one of the committee foi 
 drafting and reporting the plan. 
 
 " In connexion with the above declaration of Patrick 
 Henry, it is proper to state that tiie expression ' We must fight' 
 was used four months previously by the ardent patriot Major 
 Hawley of Massachusetts in a letter to Mr. John Adams, which 
 Mr. Adams showed to Mr. Henry while they were together in the 
 first congress. (Tudor's 'Life of Otis,' page 256.)" 
 
«8 
 
 [c] In the "Life and Writings of Washington /'by Sparks, vol. 
 iii. p. 437, occurs a letter, dated New York, June 24, 1776, from 
 Maj. Gen. Scuyler to Washington, on the subject of the militia, 
 to a part of which is appended the following note, viz : 
 
 " The following extract from a letter written to Washington 
 by the ardent and patriotic Joseph Hawley, of Massachusetts, 
 June 21st, relating to the proposed reinforcements of militia, is 
 characteristic of the author: 
 
 '" The most important matters are soon to be decided by 
 arms. Unhapp}^ it is for the Massachusetts, and I fear, for the 
 whole continent, that at this season we have a numerous as- 
 sembly. More than one-half the house are new membei's. Their 
 decisions are most afHictingly slow, when everything calls for 
 the utmost ardor and dispatch. The Lord have mercy upon us! 
 This colony, I imagine will raise the men required by Congress, 
 before snow falls, but in no season for the relief of either New 
 York or Canada. Pray Sir, consider what there is to be done. 
 It is my clear opinion, that there will not a single company 
 move in this colony for either of those places these three weeks. 
 I know Sir, it will vex you, but you will not be alone in the 
 vexation. My soul at times, is read\' to die within me, at oth- 
 ers my blood to press out at the pores of my body. But what 
 shall be the expedients? I never was good at theui. Iff may 
 say it, I am astonished at the policy of Congress in ordering 
 more regiments here, instead of ordering those which are here, 
 to parts where the}' are infinitely more needed; but my opin- 
 ion is little worth. Such as it is, I have given it.' 
 
 " Again Mr. Hawley pressed this subject, on the 27th of 
 June, and added : ' For God's sake, if it is possible, let all 
 
29 
 
 Ward's people be instantly ordered to Canada, or to some place 
 where they are more needed than here. Pray, Sir, consider 
 that they are officered, armed and equipped in all respects. Ev- 
 erything is to be done for the militia. Our people will fight 
 here pro arts et focis: but very few of them, believe me, will 
 be got to Canada this year. I pray your Excellency's pardon 
 for my troublesome repetition of this matter to you. I am here 
 and see the true state and posture of affairs. No place on the 
 continent I conceive is more secure than Boston.' " 
 
 [d] To show that the influence exerted by Major Hawley 
 was not confined either to the militia, the popular assembly or 
 the hall of Legislation alone, it is sufficient to adduce the fol- 
 lowing extract from Sparks' " Life of Washington," vol. iii. p. 
 488, Appendix. After giving a tabular view of the army : 
 
 "An army thus constituted could hardly contain within it- 
 self the elements of uniformity or discipline. There was in re- 
 ality no other bond of union than voluntary acquiescence, and 
 no controlling head vested with any adequate power to main- 
 tain authority. By common consent Massachusetts was allowed 
 to take the lead. Not only the usual affairs of the army were 
 administered by General Ward, but courts-martial were held b}' 
 his order, and punishments inflicted. Experience had proved, 
 however, that the officers were deficient in the requisite qualifi- 
 cations for the rank they sustained, which is not sui'prising, 
 when it is considered upon what principle the Massachusetts 
 had been commissioned. Several arrests and trials had taken 
 place for misconduct or cowardice, even at the memorable ac- 
 tion of Bunker Hill. Two days after he arrived in Cambridge 
 (to take command of the army), Washington received the fol- 
 
30 
 
 lowing impressive letter on this subject, from Joseph Hawley, 
 then a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress : 
 
 " ' Watertown, 5 Julv, 1775. 
 " ' Sir : 
 
 " ' You were pleased the other day to mention to Col. War- 
 ren and me as your opinion, that it was highly probable Gage's 
 troops would very shortly attack our army in some part or 
 other. I believe your opinion is not ill founded, and I am sure 
 your Excellency will be pleased with every intimation, that may 
 in any degree aid you in the choice of measures tending to 
 success and victory. Therefore, that T may not be tedious, I ask 
 your pardon when I suggest, that although in the Massachu- 
 setts part of the array, there are divers brave and intrepid offi- 
 cers, 3^et there are too many, and even several colonels, whose 
 characters, to sa3Mlie least, are very equivocal with respect to 
 courage. There is much more cause to fear that the officers will fail 
 in a day of trial, than the privates. 1 may venture to say, that 
 if the officers will do their duty, there is no fear of the soldiery. 
 
 "' I therefore most humbly propose to your consideration, 
 the propriety and advantage of your making immediately a 
 most solemn and peremptory declaration, to all the officers of the 
 army, in general orders or otherwise as your wisdom shall di- 
 rect, assuring them that every officer, who in the Day of Battle 
 shall fully do his duty, shall not fail of your kindest notices and 
 highest marks of your favour ; but on the other hand, that ev- 
 ery officer, who on such a day shall act the poltroon, dishonour 
 his General, and by failing of his duty, betray his country, shall 
 infallibly meet his deserts, whatever his rank, connexions or in- 
 terests may be, and that no intercessions on his behalf will be 
 likely to be of anv avail for his pardon. 
 
31 
 
 " ' I know that your Excellenc}^ is able to form a declaration 
 of the kind conceived in such style, and replete with such de- 
 termined sentiments and spirit, as cannot fail of begetting a 
 full belief and persuasion in the hearts of such to whom it shall 
 be addressed, that the same will be infallibly executed. I am 
 almost certain the measure will have the happiest tendency. 
 Sed sapienti verhuvi sat est. 
 
 '" Pray pardon my prolixity. 1 never was happy enough 
 
 to be concise. I am, with the greatest respect and deference, 
 
 your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, 
 
 Joseph Hawxey. 
 '"To General Washington.' 
 
 " It was no doubt in consequence of this suggestion and 
 advice, that the following order was issued on the 7th of July, 
 after approving the decision of the Court in the case of Captain 
 John Callander: 
 
 " 'The General having made all due inquiries and maturely 
 considered this matter, is led to the above determination, not 
 only from the particular guilt of Captain Callender but the 
 fatal consequences of such conduct to the army, and the cause 
 of America. He now, therefore, most earnestly exhorts officers of 
 all ranks to show an example of bravery and courage to their 
 men, assuring them, that such as do their duty in the day of 
 Battle, as brave and good officers, shall be honored with every 
 mark of distinction and regard, and their names and merits be 
 made known to the General Congress and all America ; while 
 on the other hand, he positively declares, that every officer, be 
 his rank what it may, who shall betray his country, and dis- 
 honor the army and his General, by basely keeping back and 
 shrinking from his duty in any engagement, shall be held up 
 
32 
 
 as an infamous coward, and punished as such with the utmost 
 martial severity ; and no connexions, interest, or intercessions 
 in his behalf will avail to prevent the strict execution of 
 justice.' " 
 
 [e) " 1769. Although acts for taxes were pronounced null, 
 yet the general authority of Parliament over the colonies had 
 not been denied; but, in some of the pamphlets which were 
 brought to America, it was now advanced that the King by his 
 representative, the Governor, with the council and the house of 
 representatives in each colony, constitute a full and sole legisla- 
 tive power, and consequently the legislative power of parlia- 
 ment must be excluded. In Massachusetts Bay, a representa- 
 tive of one of the towns of the county of Hampshire, an emi- 
 nent lawyer and highly esteemed [in .note, " Joseph Hawley, 
 Esq.,"] made a public declaration in the house, that he knew 
 not how parliament could have acquired a right of legislation 
 over the colonies. In a public town meeting of the inhabitants 
 of Boston, a motion was made, and exceptions being taken to 
 it, because it implied a general independency upon parliament, 
 one of the representatives of the town [in note, " Mr. Samuel 
 Adams"] undertook to obviate the exception, and concluded in 
 this manner: 'Independent we are, and independent we 
 will be.' 
 
 " At first these were said to be bold strokes, and were not 
 pleasing to the greatest part of the people. The newspaper 
 writers soon availed themselves of such examples, and the doc- 
 trine became familiar." 
 
 (Hutchinson's "Hist. Mass. Bay," p. 264). 
 
 In " Franklin's Works" by Jared Sparks, vol. viii. p. 98, is a 
 
33 
 
 letter from Samuel Cooper to B. Franklin, dated Boston, 10th 
 November, 1773, in which occurs the follovviiii^ : 
 
 "^riie speaker and many others in the House are your steady 
 friends, particularly Major Hawley, from Northampton ; a gen- 
 tleman of the law, who speaks with uncommon clearness and 
 force, and is hehind no man there in point of influence" 
 
 [/] " 1770. Several of the Council in the last election 
 died [in note, " John Hill, Royal Tyler and Benjamin Lincoln, 
 Esqrs."] or had i-esigned [in note, "Gamaliel Bradford and Jo- 
 seph Hawley, Esqrs."], and theii' places were now filled with oth- 
 ers who had the character of moderate men; the rest of the 
 Council were the same persons who had been elected the last 
 year." (Hutch. " Hist. Massachusetts Bay," p. 292). 
 
 [g] " 1770. Mr. Otis, who for eight or nine years had 
 greater influence than any other member, had been laid aside 
 at the last election for the town, and Mr. Bowdoin had been 
 chosen in his stead; but on Mr. Bowdoin being elected a coun- 
 cillor, Mr. John Adams succeeded him in the House. Mr. Haw- 
 ley, member from Northampton, was equal! v, and perhaps more 
 attended to; but Mr. Adams was more assiduous, and very po- 
 litically proposed such measures only as he was well assured 
 Mr. Hawley would join in." {[bidem,^^. 292, 293). 
 
 The Document, ''Broken Hints." 
 
 The following is taken verbatim from "Principles and Acts 
 of the Revolution," H. Niles, Baltimore, 1822. (Copy in Mercan- 
 tile Library Association, N. Y., 1849) : 
 
 "Extracts of a letter from President Adams to H, Niles, 
 dated Quincy, Feb. 5, 1819: 
 
 "Dear Sir, —I enclose you the 'Broken Hints to be com- 
 
#4 
 
 municated to the Committee of Congress for the Massachusetts/ 
 by Major Joseph Hawley, of Northampton. 
 
 " This is the orij^inal paper that I read to Patrick Henry in 
 the fall of the year 1774, which produced his rapturous burst 
 of approbation and solemn asseveration, ' I am of that man's 
 mind.' 
 
 " I pray you to send it back to me. I would not exchange 
 this original for the show book of Harvard College, and printed 
 it shall be at my own expense in a hand bill." 
 
 "Broken Hints to be communicated to the Committee of 
 Congress for the Massachusetts. 
 
 "We must fight, if we can't otherwise rid ourselves of British 
 taxation, all revenues and the constitution or form of govern- 
 ment enacted for us by the British parliament. Jt is evil against 
 right, utterly intolerable to every man who has any idea or feel- 
 ing of right and liberty. 
 
 " It is easy to demonstrate that the Regulation Act will soon 
 annihilate every thing of value in the Charter, introduce perfect 
 despotism, and render the House of Representatives a mere form 
 and ministerial engine. 
 
 " It is now or never that we must assert our liberty. Twenty 
 years will make the number of Tories on this continent equal to 
 the number of Whigs. They who shall be born will not have an 
 idea of a free government. 
 
 "It will necessarily be a question, whether the new govern- 
 ment of this province shall be sufifered to take place at all, or 
 whether it sliall be immediately withstood and resisted ? 
 
 " A most important question this. 1 humbly conceive it not 
 best forcibly or wholly to resist it immediately. There is not 
 heat enough yet for the battle. Constant and a sort of negative 
 resistance of government, will increase the heat and blow the 
 fire. There is not military skill enough. That is improving, 
 and must be encouraged and improved, but will daily increase. 
 
 "Fight we must, linally, unless Britain retreats. 
 
 "But it is of infinite consequence that victory be the end and 
 the issue of hostilities. If we get to fighting before necessary dis- 
 
35 
 
 positions are made for it, we shall be conquered and all will be 
 lost forever. 
 
 "A certain clear plan for a constant, adequate and lasting 
 supply of arms and military stores must be devised and fully 
 contemplated. This is the main thin":. This I think ou^ht to 
 be a capital branch of the business of Congress, to wit : — to devise 
 and settle such a plan ; at least clearly to investigate how such 
 supplies can be extensively had in case of need. While this is 
 effecting, to wit: — while the continent is providing themselves 
 with arms and military stores, and establishing a method for a 
 sure and unfailing and constant supply, I conceive we had best 
 to negotiate with Britain. Jf she will cede our rights and restore 
 our liberties, all is well — every good man will rejoice ; if she will 
 not agree to relinquish and abolish all American revenues, under 
 every pretence and name, and all pretentions to order and regu- 
 late our internal policy and constitution; then, if we have got 
 any constant and sufficient supply of millitary stores, it will be 
 time to take to arms. I can't quit this head — it ought to be im- 
 mediately and most seriously attended to. It can't be any other 
 than madness to commence hostilities before we have estab- 
 lished resources on a sure plan for certain effectual military 
 supplies. Men, in that case, will not be wanting. 
 
 "But what considerate man will ever consent to take up 
 arms and go to war, where he has no reasonable assurance but 
 that all must be given over and he fall a prey to the enemy, for 
 want of military stores and ammunition, in a few weeks ? 
 
 "Either an effectual non-consumption agreement or resist- 
 ance of the new government, will bring on hostilities very soon. 
 
 "1. As to a non-consumption agreement, it appears to me 
 that it ought to be taken for certain truth that no plan of non- 
 importation or consumption of tea, British goods in general, or 
 enumerated articles, wJiich is to rest or depend on the virtues 
 of all the individuals, will succeed; but must certainly prove 
 abortive. 
 
 "The ministry will justly call such a plan futile, futile it 
 will turn out; a plan of that sort may safely rest and be founded 
 on the virtue of the majority, but then the majority, by the 
 
plan, must be directed to control tlie minority, vvliich implies 
 force. The plan therefore must direct and prescribe how that 
 force shall be exercised. 
 
 "Those, again, who exercise that force, under the direction 
 and by order of the majority, must by that majority be defended 
 and indemnified. 
 
 " Dispositions must, therefore, necessarily be made to resist 
 or overcome that force which will be brought against you — 
 which will directl}' produce war and bloodshed. 
 
 " From thence it follows, that any non-consumption or non- 
 importation plan which is not perfectly futile and ridiculous, 
 implies hostilities and war. 
 
 "2. As to the resistance of the new government, that also 
 implies war; for in order to resist and prevent the effect of the 
 new government, it is indispensably necessary that the Charter 
 goverment, or some other, must be maintained, constitutionally 
 exercised and supported. 
 
 " The peo})le will have some government or other. They 
 will be drawn in by a seeming mild and just administration, 
 which will last a while, legislation and executive justice must go 
 on in some form or other, and we may depend on it they will; 
 therefore the new goverment will take effect — until the old is 
 restored. 
 
 " The old cannot be restored until the council take on them 
 the administration, call assemblies, constitute courts, make sher- 
 iffs, etc. The council will not attempt this without good 
 assurance of protection. This protection can't be given without 
 hostilities. 
 
 "Our salvation depends upon an established, persevering 
 union of the colonies. 
 
 "The tools of administration are using every device and 
 effort to destroy that union, and they will certainly continue 
 so to do. Thereupon , all possible desires and endeavours must be 
 used to establish, improve, brighten and maintain such union. 
 
 "Every grievance of any one colony, must be held and con- 
 sidered by the whole as a grievance to the whole. This will be 
 a difficult matter to effect, but it must be done. 
 
;57 
 
 "Qrtere, therefore, whether it is not absohitel}' necessary that 
 some plan be settled for a continuation of congresses ? But here 
 we must be aware that congresses will soon be declared and en- 
 acted by parliament to be high treason. 
 
 "Is the India Company to be compensated or not? If to 
 be compensated, each colony to pay the particular damage she 
 has done, or is an average to be made on the Continent ? 
 
 "The destruction of the tea was not unjust. Therefore, to 
 what good purpose is the tea to be paid for, unless we are assured 
 that, by so doing, our rights will be restored and peace obtained ? 
 
 "What future measures is the Continent to preserve with 
 regard to imported, dutied tea, whether it comes as East India 
 property or otherwise, under the pretence and lie that the tea is 
 imported fioin Holhind,and the goods imported before a certain 
 given day. Dutied tea will be imported and consumed — goods 
 continue to be imported — your non-importation agreement 
 eluded, rendered contemptible and i-idiculous — unless all teas 
 used, and all goods, are taken into some public custody, which 
 will be inviohibly faithful." 
 
 "[The foregoing is a literal copy of the venerable paper be- 
 fore me, except its frequent abbreviation oi tJie and that, with the 
 addition only of a few commas, etc., to make it read. — Ed.]" 
 
 From the Boston Patriot. 
 
 Messrs. Ballard & Wright: 
 
 The enclosed letter from the venerable and jxitriotic Major 
 Hawley (the author of the book, -The Broken Hints'), has never 
 been in print. Its publication at this time would perhaps not 
 be irrelevant and would certainly gratifv some of your country 
 friends. It was written soon after the adoption of the present 
 Constitution, and shows his opinion of that instrument. It is 
 needless to add that we here think everything from the pen of 
 that great man, deserving of record. Hampshike. 
 
 To the Honourable the Seriate of Massachusetts: 
 
 May it please your Honours : The intelligence given me by 
 tlie writ of summons under the hand of the president of the 
 
38 
 
 • 
 
 council, that I am chosen a senator by a majority of the votes of 
 the county of Hampshire, affords me a singuhir pleasure, on two 
 accounts: The one is that an election to that high trust, by a 
 majority of the unsolicited open suffrages of the voters of the 
 county is a genuine proof of the good opinion of the people of 
 my dear county ; the other is that fair occasion it gives me to 
 bear a free and public testimony against one part of our glorious 
 constitution. I style it glorious, although I humbly conceive it 
 has several great blemishes, on account whereof it will until cor- 
 rected, be liable in my poor opinion, to very weighty exception; 
 but still it remains glorious on account of the great quantity of 
 excellent matter contained in it. That part of the constitution 
 this event enables me not impertinently to except to, is the con- 
 dition or term, which the constitution holds every one to, who 
 has the honor to be elected a member of the general court of 
 Massachusetts, before he may (as is expressed in the constitution) 
 proceed to execute the duties of his place. 
 
 Be the person ever so immaculate and exemplary as a. Chris- 
 tian ; although he has, in tlie proper place, that is in the Chris- 
 tian ("hurch, made a most solemn explicit and public profession 
 of the Christian faith ; though he has an hundi'ed times, and 
 continues perhaps every month in the year, by participating in 
 the church of the body and blood of Christ, practically recognized 
 and affirmed the sincerity of that profession ; yet by the consti- 
 tution, he is held, before he may be admitted to execute the duties 
 of his office, to make and subscribe a profession of the Christian 
 faith, or declaration that he is a Christian. Did our father-con- 
 fessors imagine that a man, who has not so much fear of God in 
 his heart as to restrain him from acting dishonestly and knav- 
 ishly in the trust of a senator or representative, would hesitate 
 a moment to subscribe that declaration? Cui bono, then, is the 
 declaration? This extraordinary, not to say absurd, condition 
 brings fresli to my mind a passage in the life of the pious, learned, 
 and prudent Mr. .John Howe, one of the strongest pillars of the 
 dissenting interest in the reigns of Charles the 2d, and James the 
 2d. The history is as follows: that Mr. Howe, waiting upon a 
 certain bishop, his lordship presently fell to expostulating with 
 
39 
 
 him about his nonconformity. Mr. Howe told him he could not 
 have time without greatly trespassing on his patience to go 
 through the objections he had to make to the terms of conformity. 
 The bishop pressed him to name any one that he reckoned to be 
 of weight. He instanced the point of re-ordination. "Why, 
 pray, sir," said the bishop, "what hurt is there in being twice 
 ordained?" " Hurt, my lord," says Mr. How^e to him, "the thought 
 is shocking — it hurts m^y understanding. It is an absurdity, for 
 nothing has two beginnings. I am sure," said he, "I am a min- 
 ister of Christ, and I am ready to debate that matter with your 
 lordship if you please; I cannot begin again to be a minister." 
 
 Besides, this term of executing the duties of the place is 
 against common right, and as I may say, the natural franchise 
 of ever}'- member of the commonwealth who has not by some 
 crime or delictum foi'feited his natural rights and franchises. 
 It moreover reduces the ninth article of the declaration of rights 
 to a mere futility, and in such a connection, it would be for the 
 reputation of the declaration of rights if the same ninth article 
 was wholly expunged. More than that, the said condition is 
 plainly repugnant to the tirst great article of said declaration ; 
 and I am ready to debate that matter with any Doctor, who as- 
 sisted in framing tlie constitution, either in convention or with- 
 out doors. The said declaration of faith to be subscribed, which 
 constitutes the said impolitic and unrighteous condition, will, I 
 believe ever sound in every good ear almost as unearthly as the 
 Session Justice's famous charge to the standing grand jury. Let 
 us hear them successively : 
 
 "I do declare that I believe the Christian religion, and have" 
 a firm persuasion of its truth ; and that I am seized and possessed 
 in my own right of tlie property required by the consti- 
 tution," &c. 
 
 "Gentlemen of the grand Jury: you are required by your 
 oath to see to it, that the several towns in the county be provided, 
 according to law, with 
 
 " Pounds and schoolmasters, 
 VVhi[)ping posts and ministers." 
 
40 
 
 Each containing an odd jumble of sacred and profane, but, 
 to me, the charge jingles best b}' the constitution of the common- 
 wealth of Massachusetts. I am, may it please your honors one 
 of its senators ; and I am strongl}^ disposed, according to my- 
 poor abilities, to execute the duties of my office; but by the un- 
 conscionable not to say dishonorable terms, established by the 
 same constitution, I am barred from endeavoring to perform 
 these duties. I have been a professed Christian nearly forty 
 years, and, although I have been guilty of many things unworthy 
 of that character, whereof I am asluimed, yet lam not conscious 
 that I have been guilty of anything wholly inconsistent with 
 the truth of that profession. 
 
 The laws under the first charter required of the subjects of 
 that state, in order to their enjoying some privileges, that they 
 should be members in full communion of some Christian church. 
 But it never was required in the Massachusetts Bay, that a sub- 
 ject, in order to his enjoying or exercising any fi'anchise or office, 
 should make profession of religion before a temperal court. 
 
 May it please your honours, we all heard of a lieut. -governor 
 of the Massachusetts Bay, and some of us have known him very 
 well, who cofttended lon.g and earnestly that he had a right to a 
 seat in council with a voice. 
 
 I imagine I can maintain a better argument than he did 
 that I have a right to a seat in the senate of Massachusetts 
 without a voice; but at present, I sliall not attempt to take it. 
 
 I am, may it please your honours, with the greatest respect 
 to the senate, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 October 28, 1780. Joseph Hawley. 
 
 The following letters are copied from Peter Force's "Ameri- 
 can Archives" : 
 
 Letters of Major Hawley to Elbridge Gerry. 
 
 Watertown, February 18, 1776.* 
 Dear Sir : T hope you will forgive me if I herein appear in- 
 delicate, by attempting to inculcate some things which I hinted 
 
 'Fourth Series, iv. iigo. 
 
41 
 
 to you in the minutes which you was pleased to accept of me, 
 as 3'ou was setting out on your journey to Congress. Bat if you 
 knew the infinite weight the}^ are on my mind, you would not 
 blame me, whether they impressed your mind in like manner 
 or not. One was that the most seasonable and effectual care 
 should be taken that a sufficient number of the best of troops 
 should be seasonably marched into Canada, and thorough pro- 
 vision made for their subsistence, pay and clothing, full sup- 
 plies of artillery, arms and ammunition, that they bo sure to re- 
 pel and overcome all the efforts of the enemy in that quarter 
 the approaching season. Depend on it, that the efforts of the 
 enemy there and at New York the next season will be the 
 greatest and the earliest which they can possibly make. In the 
 year 1760, I am certain that ships arrived at Q,aebeck from Eng- 
 land some time in April, and [ think as early as the middle of 
 April, if not earlier. Jf they have any judgment or policy in 
 England, their land forces for the reduction of America will be 
 chiefly employed by the way of Quebeck and New York; diver- 
 sions niay be given in other ports, but their main strength will 
 be destined hither. I have no doubt but you are, by this time, 
 fully sensible that the sharpest eye must be unremittedly kept 
 on the people of New York; their manojuvres and tergiversa- 
 tions exceed the depths of Satan. But I will not school you 
 any longer on this head. 
 
 I beg leave to let you know that I have read the pamphlet, 
 entitled "Common Sense," addressed to the inhabitants of Amer- 
 ica, and that every sentiment has sunk into my well-prepared 
 lieart; in short, you know that my heart before was like good 
 ground well prepared for good seed; and without an Ameri- 
 can Independent Supreme Government and Constitution, wisely 
 devised and designed, well established and settled, we shall al- 
 ways be but a rope of sand; but that well done, invincible. I 
 must not repeat what I said to you of the worthlessnes and fu- 
 tility of all paper currency, without such a general, well estab- 
 lished and independent government. 
 
 Your field of business is immense, and absolutely bound- 
 less; but industry, courage, application and perseverance, will 
 
42 
 
 surmount everything; some relaxation and exercise is absolutely 
 necessary to maintain health and spirit; but sloth and dissipa- 
 tion, and turning off business to others, and procrastination, if 
 the}'^ gain any admission, will be our infallible ruin. I know 
 you will not indulge to them, and I hope none others of your 
 number. Solomon never uttered a truer maxim than when he 
 said ''Confidence in an unfaithful man, in time of trouble, is 
 like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." 
 
 Two things I beg leave to hint; the one is, that it seemed 
 to us here that when Congress, by their late resolve, ordered an 
 appeal from our Admiralty Courts to their honorable body, they 
 did not well consider how dissonant such a jnode of trial is 
 from the genius of the times, to wit, by Jury; nor how much 
 it is open to the exception which was made to the Stamp Act, 
 of its exposing and making one of the parties liable to be car- 
 ried for a trial to any remote quarter or part of the Continent, 
 at the will of a Crown officer. Would it not have been more 
 expedient and constitutional to have ordered the appeal to have 
 been to the Superior Court of the Colony in which the first 
 trial was had ? Besides, it seems to bear hard on the maxim, 
 " That the Legislature and Executive ought always to be distinct 
 and diverse." 
 
 Secondly, I hope, Sir, you will by no means forget to en- 
 deavor that there be the most peremptory and absolute order 
 and injunction on all the generals and officers of the American 
 Aruiy, that quarters for the army, or any part of tliem, shall in 
 no case be impressed, but by the intervention of civil magis- 
 trate, or direction of the Legislature of the Colony. They have 
 again (I suppose through the resentment of Park, the Assistant 
 Quartermaster) quartered a company on Major Thompson, 
 against his will. Our Assembly is so much on the wing, and 
 the active members so generally gone, that it is impossible to 
 make any proper remonstrance thereof to the General. 
 
 It is not easy to imagine what a handle such conduct as 
 this gives to the Tories, and how much they rejoice to be able 
 to take such exceptions; besides it is downright and intolerably 
 wrong. It is much more necessary that Congress should make 
 
43 
 
 some express order and regulation for their forces in every pai't, 
 touching their behaviour in this particular, because you know 
 that the Colonies in general and this in particular, arc in the 
 hands and power of the army, by reason of the militia being, 
 in a great degree, stripped of their arms and ammunition, for 
 the sake of furnishing the array. 
 
 I suggest one thing niore, and I have done, to wit : I 
 hope that the next period or term for which the Continental 
 troops will be inlisted, will be three, or at least two years; the 
 disadvantages and risk of their being engaged and held for so 
 short terms, even for but one whole year, are many; at the same 
 time tliey never will, nor can I say that I desire tiiat they 
 should engage for an indefinite time; but I believe they will 
 after a little while, be willing to engage for two or three years. 
 
 My letter is unconnected. I enter matters as they occur, 
 without studying coherence; If you think them of any value, you 
 have full leave to communicate to your brethren of this Colon}'. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great and most sincere respect. 
 
 Your obedient humble servant, 
 To Mr. Gerry. Joseph Hawley. 
 
 February 20, 1776.* 
 Pray Sir, will it not be extremely difficult for us to hold 
 on with our defense, and support all our inhabitants without 
 trade? Will people who have been bred and accustomed to 
 trade till they have arrived at men's and women's estate, ever 
 get into any other business? Be sure they never will be dex- 
 terous at any other, nor contented; na}', they will be a weight 
 on the community, and a very heavy one too. But if we re- 
 solve on independence, what will hinder but that we may in- 
 stantly comnience a trade, not only with Holland, France and 
 Spain, but with all the world, as the government of the new 
 independent state shall permit. Then we shall have done with 
 the unmanageable plans and chimeras of non-importation 
 agreements, which, with non-consumption agreements, never 
 
 * Fourth Series, iv-, 1220. 
 
44 
 
 were and never will be kept, and tend inexpressibly to de- 
 bauch and wickedize a people, by means of the irresistable 
 temptation which trading people will always be under to vio- 
 late the creneral agreements, not only for the sake of profits, 
 bnt really for any reputable subsistence; whereas, the instant 
 you resolve on independence, and give leave to trade, your 
 trading people will immediately fly to it, whatever risks and 
 hazards there may be of losing; and indeed, the greatest part 
 will escape. 
 
 Pray consider this matter, with regard to C'anada and the 
 Dutch of New York. Will they ever join with us heartily, who, 
 in order to do it, must sacrifice their trade, to which they are so 
 much addicted, and whereby they have always made good 
 profits, and expose themselves to want and beggary? Whereas, 
 the moment that we resolve on independence, trade will be free 
 for them — for the one to France and the otlier to Holland; to 
 which tiiey always inclined, and would heretofore go at almost 
 as great risks as the}^ will then at first run; then we shall have 
 done with our impracticable associations for non-consumption, 
 the source of infinite feuds and animosity. 
 
 Independence, in short, is the only way to union and har- 
 mony, to vigor and despatch in business; our eye would be sin- 
 gle, and our whole body full of light; anything short of it will, 
 as appears to me, be our destruction, infalable destruction, and 
 that speedily. Amen. 
 
 To Mr. Gerry. Joseph Hawley. 
 
 Wateutown, May 1, 1776.* 
 My Dear Sir : The Tories dread a declaration of independ- 
 ence, and a course of conduct on that plan, more than death. 
 They console themselves with a belief that the Southern colonies 
 will not accede to it. My hand and heart are full of it. There 
 will be no abiding union without it. When the colonies come 
 to be pressed with taxes, they will divide and crumble to pieces. 
 Will a government stand on recommendations? It is idle to 
 
 * Fourth Series, v., 1167. 
 
45 
 
 « 
 
 suppose so. Will Canada ever join us without Independence 
 and Government? They will not. Can we subsist, and support 
 our trading- people, without trade ? It appears more and more 
 every day, in the country and Army, that we cannot. Nay, 
 without a real Continental Government our Army will overrun 
 us, and people will, by and by, sooner than you may be aware of, 
 call for their old Constitutions; and as they did in England after 
 Cromwell's death, call in Charles the Second. For God's sake 
 let there be a full Revolution, or all has been done in vain. In- 
 dependence and a well planned Continental Goverjiment, will 
 save us. God bless you. Amen and Amen. 
 
 To Elbridge Gerry. Joseph Hawlev. 
 
 Watertovvn, June 13, 177G.* 
 Dear Qir: Last week I received your valued and much 
 esteemed favor of 25th May, and marked all the contents; and 
 notwithstanding delays and impediments which you mention, I 
 yet flatter myself that your Congress, like the Calvinistick Chris- 
 tian, will go on from one degree of grace to another, till you ar- 
 rive at perfection. You know that a great part of the pleasures 
 of life arises from surmounting difficulties and overcoming 
 opposition. 
 
 You cannot declare Independence too soon; but the Confed- 
 eration must be formed with great deliberation. When the 
 House here called, last week, for the instructions of the several 
 towns touching Independency, agi-eeable to the recommendation 
 of the last House (which recommendation you undoubtedly saw 
 in the Watertown newspapers), it appeared that about two-thirds 
 of the towns in the Colony had met, and all instructed in the 
 affirmative and generall}' returned to be unanimously. As to 
 the other towns, the accounts of their members were, either that 
 they were about to meet, or that they had not received the notice, 
 as it was given only in the newspapers. Whereupon the House 
 immediately ordered the unnotified towns to be notified by hand 
 bills, and in a short time undoubtedly we shall have returns 
 
 Fourth Series, vi., 844. 
 
46^ 
 
 from all ; and it is almost certain that the returns will be uni- 
 versally to support Congress, with their lives and fortunes, in 
 case of declaration of Indcpcjndence. 
 
 Yesterday our Assembly resolved the requisition of five 
 thousand men for New York and Canada. The House im- 
 mediately appointed a committee to devise the manner of rais- 
 ing them, and with the utmost assiduity the Court will pursue 
 it till accomplished. 
 
 I am your most assured friend and servant. 
 To Elbridge Gerry, Esquire. Joseph Hawley. 
 
 Letters of Major Hawley to General Gates. 
 
 Northampton, August 14, 1776.* 
 
 General Gates: I this minute received your favour of 
 the 10th instant, and carefully mark the contents, and shall, 
 dear sir, do everything in my power as soon as possible to effect 
 what you have been pleased to ask. Your Honor will please to 
 be informed that Number Four is upwards of seventy miles 
 from this place. It is directly counter to the orders of the 
 Council of this Government, that a man should tarry to inoc- 
 ulate. I have been so happ}' as to effect the march of about 
 seven hundred good men from this county, without any delay 
 for inoculation. 
 
 1 have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, your 
 
 most obedient, humble servant, 
 
 Joseph Hawley. 
 
 Northampton, August 20, 1770. f 
 May it Please Your Honour: As it is proper that you 
 should be made acquainted with the terms upon which all the 
 men under your command have engaged in the service, and as 
 it may have happened that our Council, through the multiplicity 
 of business, may have neglected to transmit to you the resolve 
 of the General Assembly upon which our first recruits for our 
 
 * Fifth Series, i., 958. t Fifth Series, i., 1087. 
 
47 
 
 Army were raised, 3'our Honour will not consider nie as officious 
 in sendini? to you that resolve. 
 
 You will observe, Sir, that the non-commissioned officers, as 
 well as the privates, are entitled to a month's advance pay ; and 
 I be.s: leave to inform you that as, in some companies which went 
 from the County of Hampshire, the non-commissioned officers 
 were not appointed wljen they marched, they have not received 
 any more advance pay than that of private soldiers. That was 
 the case in Capt. Lyman's company, and I talce it to have been 
 so in Capt. Gray's. Pursuant to an after-resolve (of wliich I am 
 not possessed), the commission officers were to liave a month's 
 advance pay, whicli those from this county have generally 
 received. 
 
 I have many tilings on my mind which I want to suggest, 
 l:)ut will defer them to another opportunity. 
 
 I most heartily wish your Honour liealth, victory, and on 
 every account, a happy campaign; and have the honour to be, 
 with the greatest respect, your most obedient and humble 
 servant, 
 
 To General Gates. .Joseph Hawley. 
 
 P. S. — According to your desire, Sir, I have done everything 
 in my power to suppress the pernicious and iniquitous practice 
 of delaying the march of officers and soldiers for the sake of 
 taking the small-pox. Yours, J. H. 
 
 Northampton, October 6, 1776. 
 May it Please Your Honour : I am so well knowing to your 
 humanity and the goodness of your natural temper, as to he as- 
 sured that nothing within j^our power necessary to the safety and 
 health of the troops under our command will be omitted. I only 
 beg leave just to acquaint you that from the declarations of of- 
 ficers in your army and people who visit your camps, the country 
 are made vastly uneasy at being informed that there is scarcely 
 any medicines for the sick, and that it is rare that any rations 
 are dealt out to the privates but of meat and bread, or any money 
 paid in lieu of tiie other articles. They say that there are plenty 
 
48 
 
 of doctor?, but no medicine. Your Honour knows whether there 
 are any grounds for these complaints, and if there are, whether 
 these defects are chargeable on the Congress, or tlie neglects, 
 frauds, and dishonesty of such as are employed by them. 
 
 I have heretofore suggested to your Honour the speedy need 
 your army will be of snow-shoes ; and as every little helps in 
 every case, I mentioned in one or two former letters that I had 
 by accident, in my custody, between fifty and sixty pair of snow- 
 shoes, in good condition, belonging to the States, purchased last 
 winter by Mr. Miftiin. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, your 
 Honour's most obedient, humble servant. 
 
 To General Gates. Joseph Havvley. 
 
 Elbridge Gerry to General Warren. 
 
 Philadelppiia, July 5, 1776.* 
 Dear Sir: I have the pleasure to inform you that a deter- 
 mined resolution of the Delegates from some of the Colonies to 
 push the question of independency, has had a most happy effect, 
 and, after a day's debate, all the Colonies excepting New York, 
 whose Delegates are not empowered to give either an affirmative 
 or negative voice, united in declaration long sought for, solicited, 
 and necessary — the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 New York will most probably, on Monday next, when its 
 convention meets for forining a Constitution, join in the 
 measure, and then it will be entitled The Unanimous Declar- 
 ation OF THE Thirteen States of America. 
 
 I enclose you a copy of the Declaration for yourself, and 
 another for Major Hawley, and offer you m}^ sincere congratu- 
 lations on the occasion ; and I pray that we may never want the 
 Divine aid, or the spii'it and means to defend it. 
 
 Yours, &c., Elbridge Gerry. 
 
 [A letter of John Adams to Major Hawley ( hbv li' bLfuiL - pulllijInjA) , and a letter from Major 
 Hawley to Rev. Mr. Hall of Sutton, with other interesting historical matter, are omitted from this 
 Sketch for want of room, but appear in full in the " Hawley Record."] 
 
 Fifth Series, Vol. i., 14. 
 
VI. 
 
 TENEALOGICAL NOTES— About one hundred and fifty pages— 
 ^ equal to six hundred ordinary octavo pages; containing besides 
 the Biographical Sketches, brief lines, more or less complete, of over 
 Sixty Allied Families. 
 
 A full Index of all the Given Names of the Hawleys, with llicir marginal numbers, 
 is given in the most convenient form ; also an Index of all names other than Ilawley, 
 with the pages where they occur. 
 
 VII. 
 THE WORK IS ILLUSTRATED by Maps, Steel and Wood 
 ■*■ Engravings, Coats of Arms of the English Hawleys, and fac- 
 similes of Grave-stones, Manuscripts, and Autographs. 
 
 Of these Illustrations, three are maps, showing the original location of many of the 
 Mawley families ; six are steel plate portraits; eleven are wood portraits; six are monti- 
 mcnts; twenty are dwellings; four are diagrams; thirty-two are fac-similes of grave-stones 
 and inscriptions ; ten are fac-similes of autograph mamiscripis; and one full page of 
 autographs of various correspondents. 
 
 The size of the book is such that a large number of engravings, hereafter obtained, 
 may be pasted in the back part next the cover, placing the proper marginal number under 
 each for reference. Its size also furnishes an opportunity for the insertion of Marriage 
 Certificates by pasting them in, and thereby preserving them for hundreds of years — an 
 item of much gratification to descendants. 
 
 T)LANK PAGES are left at the end of nearly every Branch, sufficient 
 ^ for the record of a line of families for many years; and by the 
 insertion of leaves the record may be extended indefinitely. 
 
 Hence, the longer a volume is preserved and the record continued, the more valuable 
 it becomes — as an " heir-loom " for many generations ; and it should be remembered that 
 this has been th'=! design of the book in the mind of the author from the very first planning 
 of it — a continuous Record — and therefore unlike any other, in size and form, published 
 in America. 
 
 A MORE APPROPRIATE PRESENT, therefore, to parties inter- 
 "'■* ested, for Birth-day, Marriage, or Holiday, cannot be found than 
 a copy of this book, nor one likely to last longer. 
 
 Address: 
 
 ELIAS S. HAWLEY, 
 
 BUFFALO, N. Y. 
 
lli^^'-i