radical Sam Adams, now part of the Boston Establishment, drew up a Riot Act,” says Davis,
“allowing the authorities to jail anyone without a trial.” Shays' army swelled to more than 1000 men.
Writing from Paris, Jefferson offered tacit approval for, at least, the concept of rebellion. Closer to
home, the American aristocracy was less than pleased. Sam Adams again: “In monarchy, the
crime of treason may admit of being pardoned or lightly punished, but the man who dares rebel
against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death.”
In a classic shape-of-things-to-come scenario, Boston merchants pooled money to raise an army
to be led by General Benjamin Lincoln, one of George Washington's war commanders. Clashes
were fierce but the outnumbered rebels were on the run by winter. Most were killed or captured.
Some were hanged while others, including Shays, were eventually pardoned in 1787.
Shays died in poverty and obscurity but the rebellion he helped lead not only served as an
example of radical patriotism, it resulted in some concrete reforms including, as Davis states, “the
end of direct taxation, lowered court costs, and the exemption of workmen's tools and household
necessities from the debt process.”
“allowing the authorities to jail anyone without a trial.” Shays' army swelled to more than 1000 men.
Writing from Paris, Jefferson offered tacit approval for, at least, the concept of rebellion. Closer to
home, the American aristocracy was less than pleased. Sam Adams again: “In monarchy, the
crime of treason may admit of being pardoned or lightly punished, but the man who dares rebel
against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death.”
In a classic shape-of-things-to-come scenario, Boston merchants pooled money to raise an army
to be led by General Benjamin Lincoln, one of George Washington's war commanders. Clashes
were fierce but the outnumbered rebels were on the run by winter. Most were killed or captured.
Some were hanged while others, including Shays, were eventually pardoned in 1787.
Shays died in poverty and obscurity but the rebellion he helped lead not only served as an
example of radical patriotism, it resulted in some concrete reforms including, as Davis states, “the
end of direct taxation, lowered court costs, and the exemption of workmen's tools and household
necessities from the debt process.”
TIMELINE:
1788: Mercy Otia Warren is the only woman to take part in the public debate over the proposed Constitution.
She called it a “many-headed monster.”
She called it a “many-headed monster.”
1794: Pennsylvania farmers revolt against a whiskey tax. George Washington rides out with 13,000 men to put
down the rebellion.
down the rebellion.
22