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The town of Petersham, Massachusetts, met on October 9, 1786 and voted to instruct their representative to the General Court how to vote on certain issues. The voters state that while they have the utmost confidence in his ability and wisdom, they feel that their representative should have a list of their sentiments and how they wish him to vote on matters that are likely to come before the state legislature. The list of items is quite similar to the lists of grievances that many towns included in petitions sent in 1786-87 to the Governor and state legislature, including relocating the seat of government away from Boston, changing the way taxes were levied, and many items dealing with public money and salaries.