Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/84

80 The inclemency of the weather had prevented the arrival of the large force expected. The impossibility of retaining the men who had assembled without munitions, subsistence, or stores, compelled them to abandon the meditated attack on Boston, then put in a posture of defence, and more pacific measures were finally adopted. A petition was prepared for circulation, remonstrating against the suspension of the habeas corpus writ; asking for the pardon and release of the prisoners; a new act of amnesty; the adjournment of Courts until the session of the new Legislature in May; and expressing their readiness to lay down their arms on conpliancecompliance [sic] with these demands. In the afternoon, Shays' men and part of Wheeler's, to the number of five hundred, began their march for Paxton, on their way to the barracks in Rutland. About a hundred more retired to the north part of the town.

Friday was spent in consultation. Aware that public sentiment was setting against them with strong re-action, the mercy which had been rejected was now supplicated. Letters were addressed to each town of the county, inviting the inhabitants to unite in their petitions. Shays himself, in a private conference with an acquaintance, made use of these expressions. "For God's sake, have matters settled peaceably; it was against my inclinations I undertook this business; importunity was used which I could not withstand; but I heartily wish it was well over."

In the evening, the Court House was abandoned, but the sentries were posted at almost every door of the outside and interior of the public house, where the leaders remained in consultation.

Another snow storm commenced on Saturday morning. Luke Day, with 150 men from Hampshire, reached