Page 269. No taxes we'll pay. Shays and his followers demanded decreased taxes and a paper currency.
Page 269. Here's a pardon for Wheeler, Shays, Parsons, and Day. Wheeler, Parsons, and Day were associates of Shays. All of them fled from the state, but were afterwards pardoned.
Page 271. So they went to Federal Street. The convention was held in a church on Long Lane, which was afterwards christened Federal Street in honor of the event.
Page 273. The First American Congress. From "The Columbiad."
Page 274. The Vow of Washington. Read in New York, April 30, 1889, at the centennial celebration of Washington's inauguration.
Page 276. Adams and Liberty. Mr. Charles Prentiss, in his preface to the collected works of Robert Treat Paine, published at Boston in 1812, gives the following account of the writing of "Adams and Liberty":—
"In June, 1798, at the request of the 'Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society,' Mr. Paine wrote his celebrated political song of 'Adams and Liberty.' It may appear singular that politics should have any connection with an institution of benevolence: but the great object of the anniversary being to obtain charitable donations, the more various and splendid were the attractions, the more crowded the attendance: and of course, the more ample the accumulation for charity.
"There was, probably, never a political song more sung in America than this; and one of more poetical merit was, perhaps, never written: an anecdote deserves notice respecting one of the best stanzas in it. Mr. Paine had written all he intended; and being in the house of Major Russell, editor of the 'Centinel,' showed him the verses. It was highly approved, but pronounced imperfect; as Washington was omitted. The sideboard was replenished, and Paine was about to help himself; when Major Russell familiarly interfered, and insisted, in his humorous manner, that he should not slake his thirst till he had written an additional stanza, in which Washington should be introduced. Paine marched back and forth a few minutes, and suddenly starting, called for a pen. He immediately wrote the following sublime stanza [the one beginning "Should the tempest of war overshadow our land">[.
"The sale of this song yielded him a profit of about seven hundred and fifty dollars. It was read by all; and there was scarcely in New England, a singer, that could not sing this song. Nor was its circulation confined to New England: it was sung at theatres, and on public and private occasions, throughout the United States; and republished and applauded in Great Britain."
Page 277. Hail Columbia. The following letter from Joseph Hopkinson, son of Francis Hopkinson, is quoted by Rev. R. W. Griswold, in his "Poets and Poetry of America":—