Question

questions 2 and 3 refer to the following. \in the time of the late war, being desirous to defend, secure, and promote the rights and liberties of the people, we spared no pains but freely granted all the aid and assistance of every kind that our civil fathers political leaders required of us. we are sensible also that a great debt is justly brought upon us by the war, and we are as willing to pay our share towards it as we are to enjoy our shares in independency. ... but with the greatest submission we beg leave to inform your honors that unless something takes place more favorable to the people, in a little time at least one - half of our inhabitants in our opinion will become bankrupt. ... when we compute the taxes laid upon us the five preceding years, the state and county, town, and class taxes, the amount is equal to what our farms will rent for. sir, in this situation, what have we to live on? no money to be had; our estates daily posted and sold. ... surely your honors are no strangers to the distresses of the people but do know that many of our good inhabitants are now confined in jail for debt and for taxes. will not the people in the neighboring states say of this state: although the massachusetts people boast of their fine constitution, their government is such that it devours their inhabitants? if your honors find anything above mentioned worthy of notice, we earnestly pray that \ which of the following evidence used in the petition supports the claim that the massachusetts government \devours their inhabitants\? a many people living in massachusetts fought in the revolutionary war. b many massachusetts farmers were held in debtors prison. c massachusetts property owners typically rented land to tenants. d massachusetts incurred a state debt during the american

Explanation:

The claim that the Massachusetts government "devours their inhabitants" implies harm to the people. The fact that many Massachusetts farmers were held in debtor's prison shows negative consequences inflicted on the population by government - related financial and legal systems, such as high taxes leading to debt and imprisonment. The other options do not directly support the idea of the government harming its inhabitants in this way.

Answer:

B. Many Massachusetts farmers were held in debtor's prison