Commonwealth of Massachusetts de BOWDOIN, James - 1787: In the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Seven. An Act describing the Disqualifications to which Persons shall be subjected, who have been, or may be guilty of Treason, or giving Aid or Support to the present Rebellion, and to whom a

Boston: Adams & Nourse, 1787. Boston: Adams & Nourse], February 16, 1787.

Broadside, printed in three columns. (13 x 15 3/4 inches; 329 x 402 mm). With minor fold creases. Pinholes at two crease intersections, barely affecting text. A one-ince closed tear to top margin, touching the "C" in the headline "Commonwealth" but no loss of text. Minor dampstain and edges a bit frayed. Contemporary ink notes on blank verso, reading "To the town Clerk of Newberryport." Some toning to blank verso. Paper with a floral watermark. Overall very good.

An Act put into law by Massachusetts Governor James Bowdoin in response to Shay's Rebellion which took place over the preceding year.

"The Disqualification Act was passed by the House and Senate of Massachusetts on February 16, 1787. It sets forth conditions for granting pardons to the men who participated in Shays' Rebellion as privates or non-commissioned officers. The men were required to turn in their guns and take an oath of allegiance delivered by a Justice of the Peace. The Justice of the Peace was then required to relay the men's names to the clerks of their towns. The men were barred from serving as jurors, members of town or state government and certain professions for three years. They also lost their right to vote in town elections. The men would forfeit their pardons if they did not follow those rules. However, if they could prove their unfailing allegiance to the state on or after May 1, 1788, they would no longer be barred from being a juror, voting or being members of government or certain professions." (From Springfield Technical CC dot edu).

"Shays' Rebellion was a series of violent attacks on courthouses and other government properties in Massachusetts that began in 1786 and led to a full-blown military confrontation in 1787. The rebels were mostly ex-Revolutionary War soldiers-turned farmers who opposed state economic policies causing poverty and property foreclosures. The rebellion was named after Daniel Shays, a farmer and former soldier who fought at Bunker Hill and was one of several leaders of the insurrection... In January 1787, Governor Bowdoin hired his own army, privately funded by Boston businessmen. Some 4,400 men under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln were directed to put down the insurgency."

Evans 20510. Ford 2466

HBS 68243.

$2,750.