Chapter 8 - Bellingham and the Revolution

As the war developed, the townspeople found that government, even their own government needed money. The new order was not much different from the old, but the Town still expressed its dissatisfaction. The State did not have a Constitution and this issue continued to appear as well.
 

The spending of funds by a governmental body was called "sinking". While not meant as an editorial comment on the manner of the spending, it probably seemed appropriate to the residents of Bellingham. The November 22, 1777, Town Meeting had an article "to see if the inhabitants will give their Representive any instruction to carry to the General Court relative to sinking the States money."
 

Again the Town wanted to act only after deliberation. A committee was appointed to make the reply.
 

"Put to Vote whether the town will pray the General Court othis to repeal the Late act for Borrowing money on interest & to redeem part of the money of this State."
 

 

The adjourned Town Meeting met in December, however, no record was made as to whether the committee ever made a report or if the Town acted in any way.
 

The displeasure of the voters with the costs of state government came through even though that meeting apparently did not act. The January 26, 1778 meeting acted on the article "to see if the inhabitants will Vote to make a tax to pay in the Bills Emitted by this State or act anything relating thereto" by a curt "dismissed the Second article in the warrant".
 

Construction of a new nation was continueing. The first article asked "to see if the inhabitants will Instruct there Representative relating to the proposed articals of Confideration of the United States of America."