The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 1 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that periodGordon, William
History
The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 1 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that period
Gordon, William
United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
When any important transaction is to be brought forward, it is
thoroughly considered by the prime managers. If they approve, each
communicates it to his own division; from thence, if adopted, it passes
to the several subdivisions, which form a general meeting in order to
canvass the business. The prime managers being known only by a few to be
the promoters of it, are desired to be present at the debate, that they
may give their opinion when it closes. If they observe that the
collected body is in general strongly agains the measure they wish to
have carried, they declare it to be improper; is it opposed by great
numbers, but not warmly, they advise to a re-consideration at another
meeting, and prepare for its being then adopted; if the opposition is
not considerable, either in number or weight of persons, they give their
reasons, and then recommend the adoption of the measure. The principal
actors are determined upon securing the liberties of their country, or
perishing in the attempt.
The news of his majesty’s granting salaries to the justices of the
superior court, afforded them a fair opportunity for executing the plan
of establishing committees of correspondence through the colony. The
most spirited pieces were published, and an alarm spread, that the
granting such salaries tended rapidly to complete the system of their
slavery.
[Nov. 2.] A town meeting was called, and a committee of correspondence
appointed, to write circular letters to all the towns in the province,
and to induce them to unite in measures. [Nov. 19.] The committee made a
report, containing several resolutions contradictory to the supremacy of
the British legislature. After setting forth, that all men have a right
to remain in a state of nature as long as they please, they proceed to a
report upon the natural rights of the colonists as men, christians and
subjects; and then form a list of infringements and violations of their
rights. They enumerate and dwell upon the British parliament’s having
assumed the power of legislation for the colonies in all cases
whatever—the appointment of a number of new officers to superintend the
revenues—the granting of salaries out of the American revenue, to the
governor, the judges of the superior court, the king’s attorney and
solicitor general. The report was accepted; copies printed, and six
hundred circulated through the towns and districts of the province, with
a pathetic letter addressed to the inhabitants, who were called upon not
to doze any longer, or sit supinely in indifference, while the iron hand
of oppression was daily tearing the choicest fruits from the fair tree
of liberty. The circular letter requested of each town a free
communication of sentiments on the subjects of the report, and was
directed to the select men, who were desired to lay the same before a
town meeting, which has been generally practised, and the proceedings of
the town upon the business have been transmitted to the committee at
Boston.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account