of 1786,
and the beginning of the following year. Its principal cause was the
badness of the times. The State of Massachusetts, in its public capacity,
was very much in debt. So, likewise, were many of the people. An
insurrection took place, the object of which seems to have been, to
interrupt the course of law, and get rid of debts and taxes.

James Bowdoin, a good and able man, was now governor of Massachusetts. He
sent General Lincoln, at the head of four thousand men, to put down the
insurrection. This general, who had fought through several hard campaigns
in the Revolution, managed matters like an old soldier, and totally
defeated the rebels, at the expense of very little blood.

"There is but one more public event to be recorded in the history of our
chair," proceeded Grandfather. "In the year 1794, Samuel Adams was elected
governor of Massachusetts. I have told you what a distinguished patriot he
was, and how much he resembled the stern old Puritans. Could the ancient
freemen of Massachusetts, who lived in the days of the first charter, have
arisen from their graves, they would probably have voted for Samuel Adams
to be governor."

"Well, Grandfather, I hope he sat in our chair!" said Clara.

"He did," replied Grandfather. "He had long been in the habit of visiting
the barber's shop, where our venerable chair, philosophically forgetful of
its former dignities, had now spent nearly eighteen not uncomfortable
years. Such a remarkable piece of furniture, so evidently a relic of
long-departed times, could not escape the notice of Samuel Adams. He made
minute researches into its history, and ascertained what a succession of
excellent and famous people had occupied it."

"How did he find it out?" asked Charley. "For I suppose the chair could
not tell its own history."

"There used to be a vast collection of ancient letters and other
documents, in the tower of the old South Church," answered Grandfather.
"Perhaps the history of our chair was contained among these. At all
events, Samuel Adams appears to have been well acquainted with it. When he
became governor, he felt that he could have no more honorable seat, than
that which had been the ancient Chair of State. He therefore purchased it
for a trifle, and filled it worthily for three years, as governor of
Massachusetts."

"And what next?" asked Charley.

"That is all," said Grandfather, heaving a sigh; for he could not help
being a little sad, at the thought t