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Subject: [GM-L] History of the Town of Concord, Mass. - American Revolution Ch VI Part 4.
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 19:45:24 EDT
Subject: Chapter VI - Part 4 - p.79 American Revolution
Source: History of the Town of Concord, Mass. by Lemuel
Shattuck 1835.
Part 4
Concord, Mass.
American Revolution
p.82
In July the "Act for the better regulation of the government of Massachusetts
Bay" was received in Boston;
in conformity to which the Mandamus Council and many
other officers were appointed. This produced great ex-
citement in the community and evil consequences were
anticipated. The people seemed determined not to submit
to an act so unconstitutional and opressive. During
this commotion an individual went secretly to Cambridge
on the 1st of August, contrary to the unanimous wish of
his fellow citizens, to inform some of the members of the Council, of the
state of public feeling, and to put
them on their guard against an attack from the people,
which he thought likely to take place.
In August frequent meetings were held in Concord to con-
sult on the proper measures to be pursued in those gloomy times. A county
convention was also recommended,
and it was invited to meet here at Concord on the last
of the month. This convention, consisting of 150 dele-
gates from every town in the county, held a session in
Concord on the 30th and 31st of August, 1774.
Delegates from Concord, Mass.
Ephraim Wood, Jr.
John Flint
Nathan Meriam
Delegates from Lincoln, Mass.
Samuel Farrar
Capt. Abijah Pierce
Capt. Eleazer Brooks
Delegates from Acton, Mass.
Francis Faulkner
John Hayward
Ephraim Hapgood
Delegates from Bedford, Mass.
Stephen Davis
John Reed
John Moore
John Webber
And from other towns, an able delegation. The Hon.
James Prescott of Groton, Mass was chairman and Mr.
Ebenezer Bridge, clerk.
The objects of the convention were brought forward,
and discussed with great energy, talent, an most ardent
patriotism; and a committee of nine were chosen to take
them into consideration. They reported as follows:
"It is evident to every attentive mind, that this Province is in a very
dangerous and alarming situation.
We are obliged to say, however painful it may be to us,
that the question now is, whether
p.83
by a submission to some late Acts of Parliament of Great
Britain, we are contented to be the most abject slaves,
and entail that slavery on posterity after us, or, by a manly, joint and
virtuous opposition, assert and support
our freedom. There is a mode of conduct, which, in our very critical
circumstances, we would wish to adopt, -
a conduct, on the one hand, never degenerating into rage, passion and
confusion. This is a spirit which we
revere, as we find it exhibited in former ages, and which will command
applause to the latest posterity.
The late Acts of Parliament pervade the whole system of
jurisprudence, by which means we think the fountains of
justice are fatally corrupted.
Our defence must therefore be immediate in proportion
to the danger. We must now exert ourselves, or all those efforts, which for
ten years past have brightened
the annals of this country, will be totally frustrated.
Life and Death, or what is more, Freedom and Slavery,
are in a peculiar sense now before us; and the choice
and success, under God, depend greatly on ourselves.
We are therefore bound, as struggling not only for our-
selves, bvt for future generations, to express our sentiments in the
following resolves - sentiments, which
we think are founded in truth and justice, and therefore
sentiments we are determined to abide by.
"Resolved, 1. That as true and loyal subjects of our
gracious Sovereign, George the Third, King of Great
Britain, etc., we by no means intend to withdraw our
allegiance from him; but, while permitted the free exercise of our natural
and charter rights, are resolved
to expend life and treasure in his service.
"2. That when our ancestors emigrated from Great Britain
charters and resolves and solemn stipulations expressed
the conditions, and what particular rights they yielded,
what each party had to do and perform; and what each of
the contracting parties were equally bound by.
"3. That we know of no instance in which this province
has transgressed the rules on their part, or any ways
forfeited their natural and charter rights to any power
on earth.
"4. That the Parliament of Great Britain has excercised a power contrary to
the abovementioned charter by passing acts, which
p.84
hold up their absolute supremacy over the colonists; by
another act blocking up the harbour of Boston, and by
two late acts, the one entitled, "an Act for the better
regulating the government of the province of Massachus-
etts Bay;" the other entitled "an Act for the more
impartial administration of justice in said province;"
and by enforcing all these inequitous acts with a large
armed force to dragoon and enslave us.
To be continued Chapter VI - Part 5 - p. 84
Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
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