REVOLUTIONARY NEW HAMPSHIRE: AN ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL FORCES UNDERLYING THE TRANSITION FROM ROYAL PROVINCE TO AMERICAN COMMONWEALTH

By Richard Francis Upton '35 (Hanover, N. H., Dartmouth College Publications, PP- x, 276' %3.00).

This latest volume of Dartmouth College Publications is one of great interest for a number of reasons. First, with so much revolution in the air of late, one would expect such a title to be seized on, and in fact our leading Marxist periodicals have written in for review copies. But . those who, seeing only the main title, might expect a lurid picture of imminent explosion in this state will be disappointed. It is true that in discussing the earlier revolt the book does offer, even for the Marxist, a good deal of information about the origins and technique of revolutions, the economic factor and the class struggle, as they developed in a sound Anglo-Saxon citizenry.

In the second place, it is not often that an undergraduate, even a Senior Fellow, finds time to write a book. Those on the faculty who admit sadly that it will be another year, or two, or three, before their own book is finished, wonder how it was ever done, and done so well. But the age of the author is of no great moment in appraising his book, for, in the third place, it should find on its own merits a secure position among the volumes on American history.

One might imagine that the thousands of books written on the Revolution would have exhausted the topic, but that is not so. Little attention has been paid to its history in the individual states, and Mr. Upton's account helps to fill this-gap. It is moreover an approach to the Revolution that might well be followed for others of the original thirteen.

Since almost no fighting took place in New Hampshire, the military side of the story is limited to the contribution to activities elsewhere. The account of the raising of troops, the discipline and conditions of service is interesting, and brings out clearly the difference between this and more recent wars. The chapter on the navy and privateering is excellent. Most of the book, however, is devoted to the other sides of the Revolution. The development of government, from the first rumblings against royal authority, through the activities of the Committee of Safety and the Provincial Congress and the first written constitution adopted by one of the United States, to a more lasting system in 1784, all makes a story of great interests. The chapter on the suppression of the loyalist, with its description of what happened to the civil liberties so much talked of in the propaganda against England, makes one wish that much more space could have been devoted to this topic. The same wish creeps out after reading about the financial situation, particularly the paper money difficulties. The changes in economic life, in religion, education, and general social attitude, are well covered. The author is not afraid to pass judgment on events and personalities. The form of the book is excellent, although more maps could have been used to real advantage. The summary paragraphs are good, and the quotations heading each chapter are extraordinarily so. It is a book very much worth reading.