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The following is a true copy from the original, of a letter from John Wyley, one of the insurgents, who fled to Canada, to the persons to whom it is directed.

"Shastesbury 23d apriel 1787.

Dear gentle men, I have arived from Candy, wher I was well treated By them which was my aternal Enemies which at the first apearance Seamd Strang how Strange it might apear Not Stranger then my a Vowed friends to Seake my life and plunder me in my abstance---Did you Now what I Now you wold. Now better then to Drive you Best Soldears out of the State One thing you may depend on [that?] or later a word with Britton how are you Prepared when two thirds of the people are one the Side of Briton how have you agitated and harissed the poore people I am the same man I have bean this ten year have the same princapls am to be treat with By any gentle men one the subject you may now dought mack alaugh about My Saing Ef yon Nu what I Now for the fool's nodel cant contane much---Much or little Ef you or any gentle man of Berkshir is a Mind to Cam and se me Ef he is sory I will pay them for thare time with grat Respect I am your

John Wiley
To Colo Clarck or Cap parce or Capt Walker"

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This letter is said to be a "true copy" of a letter from one of the Regulators who supposedly fled to Canada. While spelling in the 18th century was not standard, the misspellings and strange phrasing used here suggest that this letter was written by someone who was pro-government, wanting to make the Regulators look unintelligent. The writer also mentions that people are on the side of Britain. The Regulators were often accused of wanting to go back to being a colony governed by Great Britain, but that was not true.

 

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Letter from Insurgent to Col. Clark and others published in the Hampshire Gazette

publisher   Hampshire Gazette
creator   John Wiley
date   Jun 6, 1787
location   Northampton, Massachusetts
width   3.5"
height   5.0"
process/materials   printed paper, ink
accession #   #L04.107


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See Also...

Letter to Colonel Hyde from an insurgent published in the Hampshire Gazette

Court verdicts of punishment for Shays' Insurgents published in the Hamsphire Gazette

Letter to Colrain Selectmen regarding Insurgents


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