Context: James Bowdoin served as the governor of Massachusetts from 1785 to 1787. In September 1786, following the outbreak of Shays' Rebellion, Bowdoin issued a proclamation to address the growing unrest in his state.
Excerpt:
WHEREAS information has been given to the Supreme Executive of this Commonwealth, that on Tuesday last, the 29th of August...a large concourse of people, from several parts of the county, assembled at the Court-house in NORTHAMPTON, many of whom were armed with guns, swords, and other deadly weapons, and with drums beating and fifes playing, and in contempt and open defiance of the authority of this Government, did, by their threats of violence and keeping possession of the Court-House...prevent the sitting of the Court, and the orderly administration of justice in that county.
AND WHEREAS this high-handed offence is fraught with the most fatal and pernicious consequences, must tend to subvert all law and government; to dissolve our excellent Constitution, and introduce universal riots, anarchy and confusion, which would probably terminate in absolute despotism...
...I do most earnestly and most solemnly call upon them to aid and assist with their utmost efforts the aforesaid officers, and to unite in preventing and suppressing all such treasonable proceedings.
Glossary:
commonwealth: a political community or state created for the good of all its people
concourse: a large crowd of people in one place
contempt: a feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect
defiance: open resistance or refusal to obey authority
despotism: a form of government where one ruler has total power and control
earnestly: in a serious and sincere way
fatal: causing death or leading to failure or disaster
fraught: filled with or likely to cause something difficult or dangerous
pernicious: causing great harm in a gradual or hidden way
solemnly: in a serious, formal, and thoughtful manner
treasonable: involving actions that betray or go against one’s country
Whereas: used to introduce a reason or explanation in a formal statement
