History of Fitchburg Part 31 Rufus Torrey 1st Printing 1836
In October (1776), the question was submitted to this town, whether tey were willing that the then Representative House, together with the Council, should make a form of government for the State of the Massachusetts Bay. The town expressed their unwillingness to this course, and drew up their reasons in the form of a report, which was transmitted to the Legislature. It is as follows: "As we are sensible that our situation demands a particular attention and due consideration in matters of the greatest importance on so interesting concern for the public good, and for the good order and benefit of the community and peace of this State, -- that as the end of government is the happiness of the people, so the sole right and power of forming and establishing a plan thereof is essentially in the people. We are therefore unwilling that the present House of Representatives, together with the Council, should make a form of government for this State. FIRSTLY -- Because the present House were never elected by the people to establish a form of government for this State, but for ordering and governing the prudential affairs of this embarrassed state, as necessity calls for their strict attention thereto. SECONDLY -- Because a large number of our worthy inhabitants of this State is now engaged in the service of the United states in opposing our unnatural enemies, who, we apprehend, ought, of right, to have an equal voice in establishing a form of government for this State, as those that are not engaged in the army. But provided the present House of Representiatives, together with the Council, whould proceed to make a form of government, RESOLVED, That it is the opinion of this town that said form of government should be made public for the perusal and inspection of the inhabitants, before the ratification thereof by the assembly." It will be readily imagined that, under the severe pressure of a harassing war, when all resources were heavily drawn upon to furnish arms, ammunition, clothes and provisions for the army, to supply funds for the payment of the soldiers, and to meet other expenses incident to the state of public affairs, money , amoung the inhabitants was not only exceedingly scarce, but that, in consequence of the successive draughts for soldies, laborers were in great demand, and their services commanded exorbitant prices. The result of this was that the prices of all commodities and articles of consumption rose in proportion. The embarrassed condition of our trade, previous to the commencement of the war, had also tended to increase the scaricity of money; so that this anomaly now presented itself -- everything was exceedingly dear, and no one had money to buy with. The General Court felt the evil, and endeavored ineffectually to apply a remedy. They passed an act for dividing the Commonwealth into districts, and ordering that a committee should be chosen in each district, to fix upon certain prices for labor and provisions, -- which prices, when thus established, it should be unlawful for any one to exceed. This scheme continued in operatlion for a few weeks, when it fell to the ground, by common consent. It was found to operate unequally, and the people would not submit to it. Groton, Shirley, Townsend, Lunenburg and Fitchburg composed one district. I haqve thought it might prove interesting to mention the prices which were affixed to some of the most important articles, by the committee of these towns. Labor of men, in summer, per day 50 cents Labor of men, in winter, per day 25 cents A carpenter, or housewright, per day 50 cents Wheat, per bushel $1.11 Rye, per bushel 73 cents Corn, per bushel 56 cents Oats, per bushel 33 cents Port, per pound 6 cents Butter , per pound 12 cents Beef, per pound 6 cents Potatoes, per bushel 17 cents Good sheep's wool, per pound 33 cents Men's stockings, of the best quality $1.00 Men's shoes $1.33 Lamb, mutton and veal 4 cents Hay, per ton $10.00 Pine boards, per thousand $3.67 Clapboards $10.67 Wheat flour, per 100 pounds $3.67 For a dinner, boiled adn roasted 17 cents For a dinner with only one of these 14 cents For a mug of West India flip 15 cents For a mug of N.E. flip 12 cents Good cider, per barrel $1.83 Men tailors, per day 42 cents Womane tailors, per day 15 cents Yard-wide cotton cloth 58 cents House maids, per week 42 cents Hose for one person to ride, per mile 3 cents (to be continued. A quote from Part 32 "Indeed, not only was enmity to the cause severely punished, but persons exhibiting luke-warmness were watched with a suspicious eye.")
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