[draft] Springfield Feby 19th 1786 Sir, I returned this Morning from Pittsfield, where I left Genl Lincoln who doubtless has given you a much more comprehensive account of his situation, in the letter accompanying this, than is possible for me to give. The forces of Government are scattered in the disaffected counties, & may amount to two thousand - their inlistment expires on the 23d inst & about 200 men for four months are engaged. The parties under Genl Lincoln are cordially bringing in the insurgents - numbers of them are permitted to take the oath, some are [2] obliged to give bonds for their appearance, & [they] are kept close prisoners; a certain judge [Whiting] is of the last [clan]: The spirits of the mob seem to be noways broken, they submit to events which they can not help, but appear to look forward to a time when they [shall] again take arms against a government which they [affect] to detest. I saw about forty of those fellows, who had just been taken & were marching under guard to Pittsfield, they looked, & spoke very imprudently to every one, who they supposed was on the other side, they [halted] a moment, & when the line of march was again taken up, they went off skipping & jumping. The rebellion in Berkshire has involved, (as I heard Mr Sedgwick say) two thirds of the people - & property. It [3] It will take time to subdue those stubborn spirits, & whether it will be possible for Government ever to draw a revinue from those counties without a regular force, time only can determine As Government have not at present a regular force, & are obliged to employ the militia, I think it would have been better to have employed those belonging to a [distant] part of the state, rather than the neighbours of the men who are to be held in subjection. However, I know very little of those matters, & perhaps have no bisiness [sic] to speak of them. Shepherd is at North Hampton With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedt Servant Wm North [docket] Major North Feby 19 - 1787 -