Postscript to the Virginia gazette. Number 1189, Thursday July 21, 1774
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JULY 21, 1774. POSTSCRIPT to the Virginia Gazette. No. 1189.</P
VIRGINIA.
On Monday the 18th of July, the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of York
County met according to publick Notice at the Courthouse in York, to consider
what was to be done in the present distressed and alarming Situation of
Affairs throughout the Brithish Colonies in America. THOMAS NELSON,
Junior, Esquire, being unanimously chosen Moderator, opened the Business
of the Meeting with the following Address to the People:
FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN,
WE are met to-Day upon one of the most impor-
tant Matters that can engage the Attention of
Men. You are all well acquainted with the
Attacks which have been largely made by the
Brithish Parliament upon, what is dearer to
Americans than their Lives, their Liberties.
You have heard of the Acts of Oppression which
have passed against a Sister Colony, under which
it is now actually groaning, and you must be sensible that this is only a
Prelude to the Designs of Parliament upon every other Part of this wide-
extended Continent. In this Light did our late truly patriotick and
Honourable House of Burgesses regard it, and I am not now to inform
you what has been the Consequence. Our Assembly has been dissolved,
our Country left without Laws for its Government, and without Means
of defending itself against an invading Enemy. In this melancholy Situ-
ation of Things, many of our late worthy Representatives convened in
Williamsburg, and there agreed, after they should collect the Sentiments
of the People throughout the Colony, to meet again on the first Day of
August next, and concert such Measures as would be most likely to pro-
cure us a speedy Redress of our Grievances, and Security against them
for the Time to come. Your are now called together to deliberate upon
these Matters, to choose who shall represent you in the approaching im-
portant Meeting, and to furnish them with your Sentiments upon those
Things which are to come before them. I need not observe how much
you are concerned in the Event of thier Proceedings. You all know
what it is to be FREEMEN; you know the blessed Priviledge of doing
what you will with your own, and you can guess at the Misery of those
who are deprived of this Right. Which of these will be your Case de-
pends upon your present Conduct. We have found already that Petiti-
ons and Remonstrances are ineffectual, and it is now Time that we try
other Expendients. We must make those who are endeavouring to op-
press us feel the Effects of their mistaken, of their arbitrary Policy; for
not till then can we expect Justice from them. From the public Papers
we learn the Sentiments of many of the Counties of Virginia, and it ap-
pears that they think it necessary for the accomplishing of their Purposes
to drop, till they are redressed, all commercial Intercourse with Great
Britain. Whether consistently with Justice, as a People in Debt, we can
stop our Exports, is a Point which seems doubtful; but that Imports
ought to be prohibited Necessity demands, and no Virtue forbids. It is
not supposed that we can do this without subjecting ourselves to many
Inconveniencies; but Inconveniencies, when opposed to a Loss of Free-
dom, are surely to be disregarded. Besides, I am told, by Men
acquainted with these Things, that the Goods already in the Country,
and those expected in the Fall, will be sufficient to supply the Wants of
all Virginia for two Years. In the Meantime, we must, if our Griev-
ances be not redressed, turn our Attention to the breeding of Sheep, the
raising of Flax, Hemp, and Cotton, and to Manufactures. It is true,
we must resign the Hope of making Fortunes; but to what End
should we make Fortunes, when they may be taken from us at the
Pleasure of others? I hope you will take these Matters into your
most serious Consideration. Weigh them with that Attention which
Matters of such Moment merit. Determine with Wisdom and Modera-
tion; and, once determined, let no Difficulties or Dangers shake your
Resolutions.
It was then unanimously resolved, that as the constitutinal Assemblies
of Virginia have been prevented from exercising their Right of pro-
viding for the Security of the Liberties of the People, that Right again
reverts to the People, as the Fountain from whence all Power and Legis-
lation flow; a Right coeval with human Nature, and which they
claim from the the eternal and immutable Laws of Nature’s God.
Resolved also, that DUDLEY DIGGES and THOMAS NELSON,
Junior, Esquires, do attend at the City of Williamsburg on the first Day
of August next, in a general Convention from the other Counties of
Virginia, there to exert their utmost Abilities to put a Stop to that grow-
ing System of ministerial Despotism which has so long threatened the
Destruction of America.
And that you, our Delegates, may be made acquainted with the Sen-
timents of the People of this County.
It is their Opinion that you proceed to choose proper Persons to re-
present the Colony of Virginia in a general Congress of America, to meet
at such Time and Place as may hereafter be agreed on.
That these Representatives be instructed to form a Declaration of
American Rights, setting forth that British America, and all the Inha-
tants thereof, shall be and remain in due Subjection to the Crown of
England; and to the illustrious Family on the Throne; submitting by
their own voluntary Act, and enjoying all the Freedoms and Privileges
of the free People of England: That it is the first Law of Legislation,
and of the British Constitution, that no Man shall be taxed but by his
own Consent, expressed either by himself or his Representative: That the
Americans cannot be represented in the British Parliament; and there-
fore, that every Edict of the British Parliament imposing any Tax or
Custom, Duty or Imposition whatsoever, on the People of America,
without their Consent, is illegal, and subversive of the first Principles of
the British Constitution, and of the natural Rights of Men: That it
is the undoubted Right and true Interest of the Sovereign, as supreme
Ruler of the whole Emprie, to provide for the Welfare of his Subjects
within the Realm at the Head of the British Parliament, and of those
in America at the Head of his American Assemblies, by Laws adapted
to their local Situation, and suited to the Exigence of each; and, by
that Negative with which he is invested by the Constitution, to restrain
the different States of his extensive Dominion from enacting Laws to de-
stroy the Freedom and prejudice the Interests of one another: That the
King, in his British Parliament, shall have a Supremacy for regulating
the Trade of America, with this reasonable Reserve, that all the British
Colonies enjoy a free Trade with each other; and that no Tax, Duty,
or Imposition whatsoever, be laid by the British Parliament on any Ar-
ticle which the American Colonies are obliged to import from Great
Britain only: And that this Right of Supremacy be deemed or expressed
a Resignation by our own voluntary Act, flowing from a just Sense of
the Protection we have hitherto received from Great Britain.
And farther, the People of this County are of Opinion that the Act of
the British Parliament laying a Duty on Tea, for the Purpose of raising
a Revenue, to be collected in America without her Consent, is an illegal
Tax.
That the Act which blocks up the Port of Boston, destroys her
Trade, and subjects her Inhabitants to the worst of Inconveniencies and
Hardships, is oppressive and unconstitutional; that the People of Boston
incurred the Displeasure of Parliament by a just Defence of their Liberties
and Properties, and that the Cause for which they suffer is the general
Cause of every British Colony in America.
That the Bill, commonly called the Murdering Bill, if passed into an
Act, is not only unconstitutional, but shocking to human Nature; that
its evident Design is to privilege the Soldiers to commit with Impunity
the most cruel Outrages even against the Lives of Americans, whilst it
cuts off from an accused American every Hope of being acquitted.
That the most effectual Means of obtaining a speedy Redress of Ame-
rican Grievances is to put a Stop to Imports from Great Britain, with as
few Exceptions as possible, until the said oppressive Acts be repealed, and
American Rights established; and that what relates to Exports be left to
the Determination of the Convention in August.
That Industry and Frugality be adopted, in their largest Extent,
throughout the Colony; and that Horse-racing, and every other Species
of expensive Amusement, be laid aside, as unsuitable to the Situation of
the Country, and unbecoming Men who feel for its Distresses.
That the first Day of September next, or the Time of the General
Congress, be set apart as a Day of Prayer and Supplication to the
Almighty Disposer of human Events, to direct the Counsels of the Ame-
ricans, and so to dispose the Heart of our Sovereign that a general Har-
mony may be restored to the British Empire.
That a Subscription be immediately opened for the Relief of the Inha-
bitants of Boston, under the Direction of the Deputies for this County,
who are desired to promote and encourage the same.
Column 2
That the above Resolves and Opinions be published in the Virginia
Gazette.
WILLIAM RUSSELL, Clerk.
>Business being finished, the Deputies were invited to a genteel Enter-
tainment provided for them by the Inhabitants of York County, as a
Testimony of their entire Approbation of the Conduct of these Gentlemen.
At a general Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
County of New Kent, at the Courthouse of the said County, on
Tuesday the 12th of July 1774, Thomas Adams, Esquire, being first
chosen Moderator, and William Clayton, Esquire, Clerk, the present
State of America being seriously and duly considered, the following Reso-
lutions were proposed and agreed to, as an Instruction to our Deputies
hereafter named:
Resolved, that our Sovereign Lord King George III, is lawful and
rightful King of Great Britain and all his Dominions in America, to whose
Royal Person and Government we profess all due Subjection, Obedience,
and Fidelity; and that we will, at all Times, defend and protect the
just Rights of his Majesty with our Lives and Fortunes.
Resolved, that the Inhabitants of the British Colonies in America are
entitled to all the Rights, Liberties, and Privileges, of free born English
Subjects.
Resolved, that the Right to impose Taxes or Duties to be paid by the
Inhabitants of this Dominion, for any Purpose whatever, is peculiar and
essential to the General Assembly, in whom the legislative Authority of
the Colony is vested, and that Taxation and Representation are inseparable.
Resolved, that the Trial by a Jury of the vicinage is the Glory of the
English Law, and the best Security for the Life, Liberty, and Property
of the Subject, and is the undoubted Birthright of all his Majesty’s free
born American Subjects.
Resolved, that the several Acts and Resolutions of the Parliament of
Great Britain made during his present Majety’s Reign, imposing Taxes
or Duties on the Inhabitants of America, for the express Purpose of rais-
ing a Revenue, and for altering the Nature of Punishment of Offences
committed in America, or the Method of Trial of such Offences, are un-
constitutional, arbitrary, and unjust, and destructice of the Rights of
America, and that we are not bound to yield Obedience to any such Acts.
Resolved, that the late cruel, unjust, and sanguinary Acts of Parlia-
ment, to be executed by military Force and Ships of War upon our Sister
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, and Town of Boston, is a strong Evi-
dence of the corrupt Influence obtained by the British Ministry in Parlia-
ment, and a convincing Proof of their fixed Intention to deprive the Co-
lonies of their constitutinal Rights and Liberties.
Resolved, that the Cause of the Town of Boston is the common Cause
of all the American Colonies.
Resolved, that it is the Duty and Interest of all the American Colonies
firmly to unite in an indissoluble Union and Association, to oppose, by every
just and proper Means, the Infringments of their Rights and Liberties.
Resolved, that we do heartily approve of the Resolutions and Proceed-
ings of our several late Assemblies for asserting and supporting the just
Rights and Liberties of America, from their Patriotick Resolves in 1765
to this Time.
Resolved, that we will most firmly unite with the other Counties in
this Colony, in such Measures as shall be approved of by a Majority as
the best and most proper Means of preserving our Rights and Liberties,
and opposing the said unconstitutional Acts of Parliament.
Resolved that the most effectual Method of opposing the said several
Acts of Parliament will be to break off all commercial Intercourse with
Great Britain, until the said Acts shall be repealed.
Resolved, that the several Counties within this Colony ought to nomi-
nate and appoint, for every County, proper Deputies to meet upon the
first Day of August next, in the City of Williamsburg, then and there to
consult and agree upon the best and most proper Means for carrying into
Execution these or any other Resolutions which shall be best calculated to
answer the Purposes aforesaid.
Resolved, that it be earnestly recommended to the Deputies at the said
general Convention to nominate and appoint fit and proper Persons, on
Behalf of this Colony, to meet such Deputies as shall be appointed by the
other Colonies in General Congress, to consult and agree upon a firm and
indissoluble Union and Association, for preserving, by the best and most
proper Means, their common Rights and Liberties.
Resolved, that BURWELL BASSETT and BARTHOLOMEW DAN-
DRIDGE, Esquires, our late and present worthy Resspresentatives, be, and
they are hereby nominated and appointed Deputies, on the Part and Be-
half of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of this County, to meet such
Deputies as shall be appointed by the other Counties within this Colony,
in the City of Williamsburg, on the first Day of August next, or at any
other Time or Place, for the Purpose aforesaid.
Resolved, farther, that our said Deputies agree to join in any proper
Means that shall be adopted for the immediate Relief of the present Ne-
cessities of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston.
Resolved, that the Clerk transmit the foregoing Resolutions and In-
structions to the Printers, to be published.
WILLIAM CLAYTON, Clerk of the Meeting.
AT a general Meeting of the Inhabitants of the County of Dinwiddie,
at the Courthouse, on Friday the 15th of July, in Consequence of
previous Notice from their late Representatives, and an Intimation of
their Desire to be advised and instructed relative to the Difference now
unhappily subsisting between Great Britain and her Colonies, after mature
Deliberation on this most interesting Subject, they unanimously came to
the following Dclaration of their Sentiments, which are intended to
manifest to the World the Principles by which they are actuated in a Dis-
pute so important, as that, they conceive, on its Decision, depends the
political Existance of all America.
We the Inhabitants of the County of Dinwiddie do entertain the most
cordial and unfeigned Affection and Loyalty for his Majesty’s Person and
Government, which, together with his Right to the Crown of Great
Britain and all its Dependencies, we will at all Times defend and support
at the Risk of our Lives and Fortunes; and, under so true a Conviction
of the firmest Allegiance, we think ourselves entitled, as a constitutional
Right, to Protection from that Sovereign to whom we have been ever
attached, by the strongest Ties of Duty and Inclination.
But however happy we may consider ourselves under the Auspices of the
supreme Magistrate, we cannot help being apprehensive of the ill Effects
which may flow from some recent and dangerous Innovations, imagined
and contrived in the House of Commons against those Rights to which the
Americans have a just and constitutional Claim in common with his
Majesty’s Subjects of Great Britain.
Amongst these Instances of Oppression we cannot omit the Parliament’s
Retention of a Duty on Tea, accompanied by an Act declaratory of their
Right, in the fullest Manner, to tax America; thereby asserting, in other
Terms, their Claim to whatever Property the Americans may by their
Labour aquire: Which, submitted to, would reduce us to a Degree of
Servility unexampled but in a State of Despotism. And yet, inconsistent
as this Plan of substituting Power for Right may appear with the noble
and liberal Spirit of the British Governmnent, it has been adopted for some
Time by Administration, and pursued with a Perseverance that becomes
truly alarming; a late and striking Proof of which we have to lament in
unprecedented Acts of Parliament for cutting off the People of Boston
from every Privilege valued by Freemen, and subjecting them to Hardships
unknown but in arbitrary Governments: In Pursuance of which Acts,
their Town and Harbour are blocked up, all Commerce interdicted, and
Articles merely essential to Life only imported; and as a Matter of Favour,
and an Inducement to Submission, a Part of their Property may be held
at the King’s Pleasure, on the humiliating Condition of their living in
Obedience to such Laws. To aggravate these Evils, should the most atro-
cious Murder be committed in enforcing the Execution of any of these
Acts, the Civil Power is forbid to punish, but the Criminal is to be sent
for Trial to Great Britain, or to any Colony, at the Will of the Gover
nour. If to the former, the Distance will operate to his Acquittal, for
Want of Testimony; if the latter Method is adopted, it is equally a
Subversion of the legal Form of Trial. This proves in what Estimation
our Lives are with a British Parliament, as the first Law shows in what
Light they consider our Property.
Upon these distressful Circumstances, we sincerely sympathise with our
Fellow Subjects of Boston, and will concur with them and the rest of the
Colonies, in any Measures that may be conducive to a Repeal of Laws
so destructive to our common Rights and Liberty.
And though we do not pretend to justify the Outrage committed by the
People of Boston in destroying the private Property of the East India
Company, to which they might have been impelled by an apparent
Column 3
Intention in the Parliament of fixing on them a Precedent of arbitrary
Taxation, yet we cannot see the good Policy or right Reason that could
dictate the depriving a whole People of their Rights for a Trespass com-
mitted by a few, where the civil Laws of the Community were amply
provident of Redress for the Injury.
The Result of our Opinion upon these violent Measures is, that we do
protest against every Law or Act of the British Legislature that shall authe-
rise the Importation of Teas on the Americans, without their Consent;
which cannot be had in Parliament, as they have no Representation, nor,
ought not to have, in that Body, from local Circumstances, and other
Considerations; and because it is the proper exclusive and indefeasible
Right of every free State, especially under the British Form of Govern-
ment, to be taxed only by themselves, or their Representatives.
We farther delare, that upon all Occasions when Requisitions shall
be made to us by the Crown for Aids, in Support of his Majesty’s just
Rights, or those of Government, we will most cheerfully comply with
them, to the utmost of our Ability; but we cannot think a British Par-
liament sit Judges of the Mode by which, or the Degree in which, we
ought to be taxed.
And whereas a Convention of the late Representatives of this Colony
was judged expedient, and was appointed after their Dissolution to be
held the first Day of August next at Williamsburg, then to consult upon
the most plausible Means of avoiding the dangerous Precedents of Acts
of Power now intended to be established against us; to promote, on our
Part, this laudable Design, we do appoint our late Representataives,
ROBERT BOLLING and JOHN BANISTER, Esquires, Deputies to act
for us on this important Occasion, recommending it to them to concert
with the Deputies from the other Counties a firm and prudent Plan of
Opposition to every Invasion of our Rights, and particularly to those Acts
of Parlliament we have pointed out. Confiding in their Vigilance and
Attention, we wish them in their Endeavours the Success that so good a
Cause merits.
AT a Meeting of the Freeholders, and others, Inhabitants of the
County of Chesterfield, at the Courthouse of the said County, on
Thursday the 14th of July 1774, to take into Consideration the present
very alarming Situation of this Colony, the Reverend Archibald McRobert
being unanimously chosen Moderator.
Resolved, neri. con. that we are ready and willing, at the Expense of
our Lives and Fortunes, to defend and maintain his Majesty’s Right and
Title to the Crown of Great Britain, and his American Dominions,
against all his Enemies; and we do profess all just Obedience and Fidelity
to his sacred Person and Government.
Resolved, that the sole Right of making Laws for the Government of
this his Majesty’s ancient Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and for raising
and levying Taxes on the Inhabitants thereof, ought to be, and is, vested
in the General Assembly of the said Colony, and cannot be executed by
any other Power, without Danger to our Liberties; subject nevertheless,
as of Custom has been, to his sacred Majesty’s Approbation.
Resolved, that every other of his Majesty’s Dominions in America
ought to be, and of Right is, entitled to the same Privileges as this
Colony.
Resolved, that the present Demand of Money as a Duty upon Tea
imported into this or any other Colony in America, under the Authority
of the British Parliament, “for the sole Purpose of raising a Revenue
in “America,” without the Consent of our Representatives, is arbitrary
and unjust, a Subversion of the ancient and constitutional Mode of levy-
ing Money upon British Subjects, and evidently calculated to fix a Pre-
cedent for future Demands of the same Nature, and by that Means to
reduce the Colonies to a State of Slavery; and that all Persons aiding in
the Execution of such Laws be considered as Enemies to the Freedom
of British Subjects.
Resolved, that the Act of the British Parliament for depriving the In-
habitants of the Town of Boston, in our Sister Colony of Massachusetts
Bay, of their lawful Trade, as also the Bills brought into the House of
Commons of Great Britain (one of which Bills is entitled ”a Bill for the
”impartial Administration of Justice in the Cases of Persons questioned for
”any Act done by them in the Execution of the Law, or for the Suppression
”of Riots or Tumults in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New Eng-
”land”) are unjust, arbitrary, and unconstitutional; and although le-
velled particularly against one of our Sister Colonies, yet ought to be
resented with the same Indignation, by this and every other Colony, as
if all of them were included in the said Act and Bills.
Resolved, that an extensive Associatin ought to be entered into, and
that no Goods or Commodities of any Kind whatsoever ought to be im-
ported from Great Britain into this Colony after the first Day of August
next, ”except Medicines, Paper, Books, Needles, Cotton, Wool and Clothiers
”Cards, Steel, Gunpowder, German Osnabrugs, Hempen Rolls, Negro Cotton
”and Plains, Dutch Blankets, Saltpetre, and Implements necessary for the
”manufacturing of Woolens and Linen;” and that all and every Person
who has sent Orders to Great Britain for any Articles (except such as are
already excepted) ought to embrace the first Opportunity to countermand
such Orders.
Resolved, that any Inhabitant of this Colony who shall import any
Article not allowed by this Association, or purchase from any other Person
who shall import such Article, except already ordered, shall be deemed
a Betrayer of the Liberties of his Country; and that we will not hold
Friendship, or have any Connexion, with such offending Person.
Resolved, that every Kind of Luxury, Extravagance and Dissipation,
should now, and at all Times, be carefully discouraged; and that an ex-
tensive Plan of establishing Manufactoies amongst the Inhabitants of this
and other Colonies in North America should immediately be adopted,
as the only possible Means of avoiding that dependent commercial Con-
nexion which hath hitherto subsisted between the Colonies and Great
Britain, which hath induced an arbitrary and designing Administration to
attempt the total Destruction of our Rights and Liberties; and that, to
carry the same more effectually into Execution, Subscriptions be opened
for that Purpose, under proper Regulations.
Resolved, that to dissolve the General Assembly of the Colony, sitting
for the Despatch of publick Business, “because they enter into a Con-
sideration of the Grievances under which they labour, and nobly assert
their Right to Freedom,” is arbitrary and oppressive, a manifest Proof
of a fixed Intention to destroy the ancient, constitutional, legislative
Authority in the Colony, and directly contrary to the Spirit of the Ac-
knowledgments made in Favour of the Rights of a British People.
Resolved, that his Colony ought not to hold any commerical Inter-
course with any of the Colonies in North America that shall refuse to
adopt proper Measures for procuring Redress to our Grievances.
Resolved, that the Town of Boston is now suffereing in the Cause of
American Liberty; that her Safety and Protection is, and ought to be,
the common Cause of the other Colonies; and that her Relief ought to
be attempted, by all proper and constitutional Ways and Means in our
Power.
Resolved, that we do most heartily concur with the last Representatives
of this Colony in their Sentiments delivered at the Meeting held in Willi-
amsburg after the Dissolutiuon of the last Assembly. We return them our
warmest Thanks for their spirited Conduct on that and every other Occa-
sion, and entreat their steady and determined Attention to the same
Principles at the Meeting to be held on the first Day of August next, in
the City of Williamsburg.
Resolved, that ARCHIBALD CARY and BENJAMIN WATKINS,
Esquires, our late worthy Representatives (together with the Represen-
tatives to be chosen for this County in the next Assembly) be, and they
are hereby appointed Deputies, on the Part of the Freeholders and Inha-
bitants of this County, to meet such Deputies as shall be appointed by
the other Counties and Corporations in this Colony, in the City of Wil-
liamsburg, on the first Day of August next, to take under their Con-
sideration the several Grievances under which this and the other American
Colonies are at present labouring to concert and deliberate upon proper
Ways and Means to procure Redress of those Grievances, and that they
(together with such Deputies as shall be then and there assembled) do
nominate proper Persons, on the Part of this colony, to meet such Dep-
uties as shall be appointed upon the part of the other continental
Colonies in a general Congress, to consult and agree upon a firm and
indissoluable Union and Association, for preserving, by the best and most
proper Means, their common Rights and Liberties.
Resolved, that the Clerk of this Meeting transmit to the Printers of
both Gazettes Copies of these Resolutions, with the earnest Request of this
County that the other Counties and Corporations within the Colony will
appoint Deputies to meet at the Time and Place and for the Purposes
aforesaid.
JERMAN BAKER, Clerk to the Meeting.
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Column 1
AT a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County
of Essex, at the Courthouse of the said County, on Saturday the
9th of July 1774, seriously to consider the present Danger which threatens
Ruin to American Liberty, Mr. John Upshaw being chosen Moderator,
the following RESOLVES were proposed, and unanimously agreed to:
Resolved, the we will, at all Times, and upon all Occasions, bear
true and faithful Allegiance to his Majesty King George III, and that, as
Freemen, we always have been and ever shall be, willing, constituti-
onally, to give and grant liberally our Property for the Support of his
Crown and Dignity, and the Preservation of our Parent State; but that
we never can consent to part with it on any other Terms.
Resolved, that the Legislature of this Colony, for the Purpose of inter-
nal Taxation, is distinct from that of Great Britain, founded upon the
Principles of the British Constitution, and equal, in all Respects, to the
Purposes of Legislation and Taxation within this Colony.
Resolved, that the People of this Colony in particular, and of America
in general, have a clear and absolute Right to dispose of their Property by
their own Consent, expressed by themselves or by their Representatives in
Assembly; and any Attempt to tax, or take their Money from them,
in any other Manner, and all other Acts tending to enforce Submission to
them, is an Exertion of Power, contrary to natural Justice, subversive
of the English Constitution, destructive of our Charter, and oppressive.
Resolved, that the Town of Boston, in our Sister Colony of Massachu-
setts Bay, is now suffering in the common Cause of North America, for
their just Opposition to such Acts; and it is indispensably necessary that
all the Colonies should firmly unite in Defence of our common Rights.
Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this Meeting that an Agreement to
stop all Exports to and Imports from Great Britain and the West Indies,
firmly entered into, and religiously complied with, will, at all Times,
prove a safe and infallible Means of securing us against the Evils of any
unconstitutional and tyrannical Act of Parliament, and may be adopted
upon the Prinicples of Self Preservation, the great Law of Nature.
Resolved, that the Inhabitants of this County will firmly join with the
other Counties in this Colony, and the other Colonies on this Continent,
or a Majority of them, to stop all Exports to and Imports from Great
Britain and the West Indies, and all other Parts of the World, except the
Colonies of North America, if such a Measure shall be deemed expedient
by the Deputies at the General Congress; and that whatever Agreement
the Congress shall come to for the Advantage of the common Cause of
North America, relating to Exports, Imports, or otherwise, ought to be
considered as binding as any Act of Legislature; and that we will use
our utmost Endeavour to support and maintain such general Agreement,
at the Expense of our Lives and Fortures.
Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this Meeting that the several Courts
in this Colony ought not to proceed to the forwarding or Trial of civil
Causes, until our Exports are opened.
Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this Meeting that the East India
Company, having a Design to monopolise a great Part of the American
Trade, to the Injury of the other Mercahants of Britain trading to Ame-
rica, and knowing well the fatal Consequences that must have resulted
from their fixing a Precedent for future Taxes by importing Tea into the
Colonies, became the willing Instruments of the Ministry to destroy Ame-
rican Liberty, and deserve the Loss they have sustained.
Resolved, that we do most heartily concur with our late worthy Re-
presentatives in their Resolve for the Difuse of Tea, and that we will not
hereafter purchase any East India Commodities whatsoever.
Resolved, that the spirited Conduct of the Town of Boston hath been
serviceable to the Cause of Freedom, all other Methods having failed;
and that no Reparation ought to be made to the East India Company,
or others their Assistants, for any Injury they have sustained, unless it
be the express Condition on which all our Grievances shall be removed.
Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this Meeting that any general Cen-
sure upon the Conduct of the Town of Boston respecting the Tea, with-
out allowing to them the Motives of Resistance upon the Principles of
publick Virture and Necessity, is inimical to American Liberty; and we
are persuaded that none but ministerial Hirelings, and professed Enemies
of American Freedom, will adopt a Language so impolitick, which mani-
festly tends to create a Disunion of Sentiments at this Time fatal to
America.
Resolved, that the Parliament have no Right to pass an Act to remove
our Persons to Great Britain, or any other Place whatever, to be tried
for any Offence; and that we are determined not to submit to it.
Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this Meeting that no Merchant in
this, or any other Colony on this Continent, shall advance the Goods now
on Hand higher than they at present are, or have been for some Time,
and that the Merchants in the several Counties sign an Agreement to that
Effect.
Resolved, that a Subscription be set on Eoot for the raising Provision
for the Relief of the Poor of Boston, who now suffer by the blocking up
their Ports; and that ROBERT BEVERLEY, JOHN LEE, and MUSCOE
GARNETT, in St. Anne’s Parish, and ARCHIBALD RITCHIE and
JOHN UPSHAW, in the upper End of South Farnham Parish, and
MERIWETHER SMITH and JAMES EDMONDSON, in the lower Part
thereof, take in Subsriptions for that Purpose, who are to consign what
may be raised to some proper Person to be distributed; and the before
mentioned Gentlemen are empowered to charter a Vessel to carry it to
Boston.
Resolved, that this Meeting have the deepest Sense of the Injuries in
which the Merchants and Manufacturers of Great Britain must necessarily
be involved by a Non exportation Resolution, they having placed an al-
most unlimited Confidence in us, for a Series of Years, and by that
Means have the greatest Part of their Fortunes lodge in our Hands, and
that nothing but the Desire of preserving our Rights and Liberties could
induce us to adopt a Measure big with such melancholy Consequences.
Resolved, that JAMES EDMONDSON and WILLIAM ROANE, Es
quires, the late Representatites of this County, be, and they are hereby
appointed Deputies to represent us at the general Meeting of Deputies
for the several Counties in this Colony, on the first Day of August next,
in Williamsburg; and we desire that they will exert their best Abilities
for the Security of our constitutional Rights and Liberties, and to appoint
Deputies to meet at the General Congress the Deputies of the other Co-
lonies on this Continent.
Resolved, that the Clerk transmit the foregoning Proceedings to the
Printers, to be published in their Gazettes.
WILLIAM YOUNG, Clerk to the Meeting.
MIDDLESEX, July 15.
AFTER the Freeholders had proceeded in the most decent and orderly
Manner to the Election of Representatives for the County, they
were summoned to meet at the Courthouse, to take into their Conside-
ration the present State of the Colony, and America in general; and upon
mature Deliberation, many of the most respectable of the Freeholders and
Inhabitants of the County being present, they entered into the following
Resolutions:
Resolved, that it is the Opinion of this Meeting that all Allegiance is
due to the Person and Character of the King of Great Britain, and that
we acknowledge a constitutional Dependence on the Parliament, conceiv-
ing it not incompatible with the Condition of Colonists to submit to com-
mercial Regulations, in Consequence of the Protection that is given to
our Trade by the Superintendence of the Mother Country; but we ap-
prehend there is a clear Distinction between Regulations of Trade and
Taxation and in no Degree admit the latter under the colourable Deno-
mination of the former, well knowing that the Nature of Things is not
alterable by the Change of Terms.
Resolved, that Representation and Taxation are inseparably connected,
by the essential Principles of the British Constitution; and that every
Attempt of superiour Power to levy Money on the British Americans,
otherwise than by the Consent of their Representatives, delivered in
Assembly, is an Infraction of that Constitution, a Violation of the Rights
of Freemen, and a Subversion of Property.
Resolved, that the Act imposing a Duty on Tea, for the avowed Pur-
pose of Revenue is a Tax, and that every Opposition should be expressed
that may move to the Repeal of the said Act, or that may render its
Operation inefficacious.
Resolved, that the late Act of Parliament, suspending the Trade and
shutting up the Port of the Town of Boston, is an alarming Circum-
stance to the Colonies in general, in as much as it marks out a settled
Plan in the British Parliament to enforce Submission to their Power of
Taxation.
Resolved, that we do not approve of the Conduct of the People of
Boston in destroying the Tea belonging to the East India Company;
and notwithstanding the Tax on Tea must be esteemed a violent Infring-
ment of one of the fundamental Privileges of loyal and free Subjects,
yet we apprehend Violence cannot justify Violence. Reason and Policy
declaim against it. A Desistance from the Consumption of Tea, and a
Confidence in the Virture of our Countrymen, whose Sense of the Spirit
of the Law will no Doubt induce a total Disuse of it, are much more
eligible and prudent Means, and more probably will work a Repeal
of the Act, than Disorder, Outrages, and Tumults.
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Resolved, as the Records and reiterated Resolutions of the House of
Burgesses will testify to Posterity our Idea on this long agitated and con-
tested Question of the Supremacy of Parliament to tax the Colonies, that
it be the Opinion of this Meeting that our Representatives should oppose,
and they are hereby instructed to oppose, all Measures that will bring on
an abrupt Dissolution, whereby the Business of the Country will be
impeded. A savage Enemy ravaging our Frontiers, the publick Credi-
tors unpaid, a Stagnation of Justice by Reason of the Lapse of the Fee
Bill, the Courts of Law occluded, every Thing that is held sacred in
civil Society confounded, the just Creditor deprived of Property, and the
dishonest Debtor triumphant, these are the bitter Fruits of the late Disso-
lution.
Resolved, that an unlimited Non-exportation and non-importation
Scheme is impracticable, and, were it not so, would be irreconcilable with
every Principle of Justice and Honesty, injurious to the Commerce, and
fatal to the Credit, of this Colony.
Resolved, that an Association be forwarded to prohibit the Importation
of all unnecessary and luxurious Articles of British Manufacture, and
(expect Saltpetre and Spices) all kinds of East India Commodities.
AT a Meeting of a respectable Body of the Freeholders and other
Inhabitants of the County of Surry, on due Notice, at the Court-
house of the said County, the 16th of July 1774, ALLEN COCKE, Esq;
Moderator, the Proceedings and Resolutions of the late Members of the
House of Burgesses, since their Dissolution, respecting the alarming Situ-
ation of North America, were seriously deliberated upon, and the follow-
ing Resolves unanimously agreed to.
Resolved, that we acknowledge all due Allegiance to his present Ma-
justy, and will defend him with our Lives and Fortunes.
Resolved, that as British Subjects, who know the invaluable Blessings
of their Birthright, we will not submit to the Imposition of any Taxes or
Duties to be paid by the Inhabitants within this Dominion by any other
Power than the General Assembly, duly elected; and that in them, and
them only, is the constitutional Right of Taxation vested.
Resolved, that we will cheerfully join with our suffering Brethren of
America in the firmest Bonds of Union against exporting or importing
any Commodities to or from Great Britain, till our just and legal Rights
are restored.
Resolved, that the Cause of the Town of Boston is the common Cause
of all British America.
Resolved, that as the Population of this Colony with Freemen, and
other useful Manufacturers, is greatly obstructed by the Importation of
Slaves and Convict Servants, we will not purchase any such Slaves or
Servants hereafter to be imported.
Resolved, that Subscriptions be opened in this County for the Relief of
our suffering Brethren in the Town of Boston.
Resolved, that ALLEN COCKE and NICHOLAS FAULCON, Junior,
Esquires, our late Representatives, be, and they are hereby nominated
and appointed to attend the general Meeting of Deputies of the other
Counties and Corporations within this Colony, in the City of Williams-
burg, on the first Day of August next, there to concert such Measures as
may be found expedient for the general Good of the Colonies.
Resolved, that the Clerk of this Meeting do transmit the Proceedings
of this Day to the Printers of both Gazettes, and request them to publish
the same without Delay. JAMES KEE, Clerk of the Meeting.
To Mr. PURDIE.
SIR
HAVING seen Governour Gage’s Proclamation in the Northern
Papers against the solemn League and Convenant at Boston (which
we more modestly call only Associations) I have sent you the following
Extract of a Letter from a Mercahant at London to his Friend at Boston,
which may serve as a Comment upon it; and though it has been pub-
lished before, some Time ago, yet if you think fit to republish it you
will not only thereby show your Impartiality, but also thereby oblige, Sir,
your humble Servant, An ENGLISHMAN.
”The great End of Government is to unite all its Subjects in one
Interest, to make every Part of the empirie, and every Individual of it,
contribute to the Welfare of the Whole, and to apply the force of the
Whole to the Protection of every Individual.
”Combinations, therefore, entered into by the Subjects of one Part
of the Empire, against those of another, are a Kind of Treason to the
Whole, are in their Nature contradictory to all the Principles of good
Government, and ought never to be permitted in a well ordered Empire.”
The SUBLIME JUSTICE, or the present State of
JUSTICE in England.
The Barnet Stage returning from the Races there with a Cargo of
Bucks, Bloods, &c. and being met on the Road by a Pheton with
two of the same Sort of Gentry, rolling boldly over the King’s Highway
for that Mart of Gambling, who were not very skilful at driving, the
Stage and Pheton soon boarded each other. The Force and Weight of
the former drove the Whisky back with very little Damage, but in the
Rencounter, through some unlucky Hit, the left Eye of the fore Horse
of the Stage was knocked fairly out.
The Coachman knew his Cue too well not to turn this Jostling to the
best Advantage. Seeing our Bucks of a very promising Appearance, he
applied to them for 40 £. Damages, and in Case of Refusal threatened to
carry them before a Justice. They did refuse, and the Coachman kept
his word.
The Justice lived but a short Way off. He was a Man of profound
Importance and of profound Ingnorance, and was impressed with a due
sense of his own Dignity. When the Culprits were brought before him,
he assumed all his native Consequence, and placed himself in the great
Chair. The Coachman opened the Cause, and told the whole Story his
own Way; the Case was therefore plain, and could not be controverted.
”Here, you two young Gemmen (said the Worshipful Justice) that must
drive in your Phetons, with a Pox t’ye; come forward to this here Table.”
”We obey your Worship’s Will.”
”Pray, you Mr. What d’ye call ‘em, what Business had you to knock
out the Eye of this here Horse!”
”It was a Mare, Sir.”
”Horse and Mare’s all one; and so, d___n you, Sir, down with your
Yellow Boys. You tell me it was a Mare! you d___n’d Rogue; by G—d
you shall pay for that, if it was no more; and so, d___n you, down with
your Dust.”
”But will your Worship be pleased to hear,” —
”No, d___n me, I won’t hear nothing about it. Knock a poor
Ma___ Horse’s Daylights out! you might as well pink him at once; and
so, d___n you, down with your forty Guineas to poor Whip here, and 10 s.
to my Clerk, and then you may go and be d___n’d.”
This Command was omnipotent, and there was no resisting it. They
paid down the Mulcts therefore, and proceeded to Barnet, ruminating
all the Way on the present State of Justice in England.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 21.
WE have just received the following Proclamation from Boston,
dated the 29th ult. the Title of which is, “For discouraging cer-
”tain illegal Conbinations.” — Whereas certain Persons, calling them-
selves a Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Boston, have lately
presumed to make, or cause to be made, a certain unlawful instrument,
purporting to be a solemn League and Covenant, intended to be signed by
the Inhabitants of this Province, whereby they are most solemnly to
covenant and engage to suspend all commercial Intercourse with the Island
of Great Britain, until certain Acts of the British Parliament shall be
repealed; and whereas printed Copies of the said unlawful printed Instru-
ment have been transmitted by the aforesaid Committee of Correspondence,
so called, to the several Towns in this Province, accompanied with a
scandalous, traiterous and seditious Letter, calculated to disturb them
with ill grounded Fears and Jealousies, and to excite them to enter into
an unwarrantable, hostile, and traiterous Combination to distress the
British Nation, by interrupting, obstructing, and destroying her Trade
with the Colonies, contrary to their Allegiance due to the King, and to
the Form and Effect of divers Statutes made for securing, encouraging,
protecting, and regulating the said Trade, and destructive of the lawful
Authority of the British Parliament, and the Peace, good Orer, and
Safety, of the Community; and whereas the Inhabitants of this Pro-
vince, not duly considering the Criminality and dangerous Consequence
to themselves of such alarming and unprecedented Combinations, may
incautiously be tempted to join in the aforesaid unlawful League and
Covenant, and thereby expose themselves to the fatal Consequences of
being considered as the declared and open Enemies of the King, Parlia-
ment, and Kingdom of Great Britain: In Observance therefore of
my Duty to the King, in Tenderness to the Inhabitants of this Province,
and to the End that none who may hereafter engage in such dangerous
Combinations may plead, in Excuse of their Conduct, that they were
ingnorant of the Crime in which they were involving themselves, I have
thought fit to issue this Proclamation, hereby earnestly cautioning all
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Persons whatever within this province against signing the aforesaid or a
similar Covenant, or in any Manner entering into or being concerned in such
unlawful, hostile, and traiterous Combinations, as they would avoid the
Pains and Penalties due to such aggravated and dangerous Offences. And
I do hereby strictly enjoin and command all Magistrates, and other Offi-
cers, within the several Counties in this Province, that they take effectual
Care to apprehend, and secure for Trial, all and every Person who may
hereafter presume to publish, or offer to others to be signed, or shall
themselves sign, the aforesaid or a similar Covenant, or be in any Wise
aiding or assisting therin. And the respective Sheriffs of the several
Counties within this Province are hereby requested to cause this Procla-
mation forthwith to be posted up, in some publick Place in each Town
within their respective District. Given at Salem, &c.
Account of ELECTIONS since our last viz. For Nansemond,
LEMUEL RIDDICK and WILLIS RIDDICK, Esquires. For Middle-
sex, EDMUND BERKELEY and JAMES MONTAGUE, Esquires. For
Essex, JAMES EDMUNDSON and MERIWETHER SMITH, Esquires.
For Dinwiddie, JOHN BANISTER and ROBERT BOLLING, Esquires.
For William and Mary College, JOHN RANDOLPH, Esq; Attorney
General. For Gloucester, TOMAS WHITING and LEWIS BUR-
WELL, Esquires. For Henrico, RICHARD ADAMS and SAMUEL
DUVAL, Esquires
By the Warwick, McVey, from Genoa, we have authentick Intelligence
of the Demise of the French King, which it is probable will materially
affect the present political System of Europe.
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in London, to his Friend in New
York, dated April 25.
”The present great Topick, and universal Inquiry, is, what will the
Americans do now? It is generally answered, they must submit, they
cannot possibly do otherwise. The Boston Port Bill will speedily and ef-
fectually execute itself. Taking away the Trade, ruins every Man of
Property in the Place. This Idea will strike such a Panick as must ren-
der it easy for Mr. Gage to obtain not only ample Indemnification for the
East India Company, but Submission on the Part of the Bostonians, and
Acknowledement of the Parliament’s Right to tax them; and should the
Port Bill fail in effecting all this, a Corps de Reserve is at Hand, a Bill
ready for the Royal Assent, new modelling their Constitution and Govern-
ment, which will put such a Rein in the Minister’s Hand as may enable
him to pull them which Way he pleases, or tear their Jaws. Boston,
say they, must submit, and the same Measure will produce the same
Effect, in every refractory Colony. An Idea has been held up by some
of fixing a proportionate Quota to America, of the Expense of the Navy
and Army, to be levied by your own Assemblies; some liked, while
others derided, the Scheme. These last say, that Ministers of State scorn
Quotas or Proportions, every Penny the People can bear is their only
Rule in Taxation; and when the Americans submit, they will find it so.
”The Present Exertions of Government are considered as irresistible,
by you; yet an Embargo, and restraining your Remittances, is not a
little dreaded, and their only Confidence in that Respect is, that the
Military will suppress your Mobs, who alone can effect either of these.
The Cloud, indeed, seems thick at present; fed post nubila Phoebus.”
Extract of another Letter, dated April 28.
”The Nation, as well as Government, are now impatiently waiting
to hear how General Gage, and the Port Bill for Boston, will be received
in America. That Bill is considered as a trite Measure, and what the
Consequences of it may be God knows. It is generally throught this will
be the last coercive Exertion on the Part of Great Britain. If she fails
in this, she must strike in with you on your own Terms, or give you up
altogether. It is not imagined the other Colonies will take up the Mat-
ter, or consider it as a general Cause, but leave Boston to fight for her-
self, and then the rest of Course must follow, and bow down with her
to every Mode of Taxation.”
FREDERICKSBURG, July 17. His Excellency the Earl of Dunmore
arrived here in perfect Health on Friday Evening, and this Morning, at
eight o’Clock, set out on his Way to the back Country. His Lordship’s
Care for the poor Inhabitants that are settled in the Frontier Counties,
which are now exposed to the Horrours of an Indian War, partly induces
him to take this Journey; hoping that he may, after getting acquained
with the Situation of Affairs in that Country, be able to give such Direc-
tions as will in some Measure secure them and their Families from the
Cruelties of the Savages, who have already done a good Deal of Mischief.
The sculking Parties that have hitherto been discovered do not consist of
many in a Body, and it is throught they intend some grand Stroke soon,
as they have been seen pretty low down in the Settlements, in small Par-
ties of five and six, and sometimes not more than three and four together,
without doing any Mischief; from which, it is judged, their Business
was to make themselves acquainted with the Country, and find out the
Settlements, so that they may, at any Time, bring in a Party sufficient
to destroy them at once, and retreat before any Body of Men could be
collected to go against them. —The Crops of Wheat in this Neighbour
hood will far exceed all Expectation, after receiving so severe a Shock
as the frost on the 4th of May gave it. Harvest is now nearly got in,
and the Farmers think they shall make two Thirds, if not three Fourths,
of a Crop.
A CARD.
A VIRGINIAN presents his Compliments to the Jockey Clubs of
Fredericksburg and Portsmouth, and begs that they will suppress
their Sporting Spirit, till the Circumstances of America can permit it with
more Decency. He also begs Leave to recommend to the most serious
Consideration of these Clubs, whether their Purses, applied to the Relief
of the distressed Bostonians, would not afford them more real Pleasure
than all that can arise from viewing a painful Contest between two or
three Animals.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 22, 1774.
WHEREAS some Time yesterday I had
a MILCH COW most barbarously cut and mangled, by some
Person or Persons unknown, I hereby offer a Reward of FIVE POUNDS
to any One that can or will make Discovery thereof.__N. B. I bought
her of Mr. Matthew Moody, Senior, at the Capital Landing, which Place
she has frequented ever since she was my Property.
ALEX: PURDIE.
To be SOLD, to the highest Bidder, on MONDAY the
1st of August, at the Subscriber’s Plantation in King
George, opposite to PORT ROYAL,
TWENTY very likely Virginia born SLAVES, consisting of Men,
Women, Boys, and Girls. Good Merchants Notes will be re-
ceived, payable at the October General Court, and a Discount of five per
Cent, allowed for ready Money. T. TURNER.
PORT ROYAL, JUNE 22, 1774.
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Mu-
latto Man named GILBERT, five Feet five or six Inches high,
by Trade a Shoemaker, has had the Smallpox very bad, the Top of his
Head is shaved, and he combs it back like a Woman; he carried off a
good many Clothes, so that I cannot describe his Dress. The same Night
he absented there went an Eastern Shore Vessel down the River, which I
expect he got on Board of. It is probable he will change his Name to
Gilbert Morris, pass for a Feeman, and if possible will try to get out of
the Colony. He is a Baptist, and I expect will show a little of it in
Company. Any Person that will bring the said Slave to me, near Port
Royal, shall have 50s. Reward, besides what the Law allows; and I
hereby forewarn all Masters of Vessels from carrying him off, at their
Peril. (2||) JOHN EVANS, Senior.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Buck-
ingham a Negro Woman named BESS; had on, and carried with
her, a green Calimanco Petticoat, a striped Holland Waistcoat, a
Negro Cotton Petticoat, a Virginia Cloth one striped with Copperas and
filled in with blue Yarn, two Osnabrug Shirts, one new, the other old.
Whoever brings the said Negro to me, at Buckingham Courthouse, shall
have 5£ Reward if taken in Carolina, and 30s. if in Virginia, besides
what the Law allows. ARCHELAUS AUSTIN.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Albe-
marle, a Convict Servant Man named EDWARD BUTLER,
by Trade a Tailor, well made, five Feet ten Inches high, about 27
Years of Age, and wears his Hair, which is remarkable black. I have
been infomred that he has changed his Name to Robert Donald. Who
ever brings him to me, or secures him in any of his Majesty’s Jails, shall
have 15£ Reward. (I||) BENJAMIN COLVARD.
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