embraced and comprehended; and as such we will ever consider, and to the utmost of our power defend and support it.

3dly. That the late act of Parliament for blocking up the port and harbor of Boston, thereby depriving them of the only means of their subsistence; and the two more recent ones, essentially violating the charter rights of the Massachusetts Bay, and making material alterations in the mode and administration of government, and justice therein, is an axe laid to the root of the tree, and in direct opposition to, and utterly subversive of this and every claim and idea of liberty and property in English America.

4thly. That therefore the cause of Boston and the Massachusetts Bay, is the common cause of all the English American colonies.

5thly. That forasmuch as we assume not wisdom enough to prescribe ways and means to avoid the dreadful evils comprised in said acts, and the principles on which they are founded; nor can they be averted but by the joint act and approbation of the whole; we therefore ardently approve of, and rejoice in the proposal of a General Congress of commissioners from all the colonies; from whose joint wisdom, integrity, and virtue, we have the strongest hopes a sure foundation will be laid for the restoration and security of the just and precious privileges of the millions of America; and to their wisdom and prudence, we do for the present, so far as to us appertains, cheerfully refer the all important cause. And if they should think proper to come into a joint agreement to break off all commercial intercourse with Great Britain and the West Indies, except for the necessaries of life, (if such there be included in it) until American liberties are restored and placed on a solid basis; we will most cheerfully acquiesce in, and inviolably adhere to such agreement, as a measure most likely (in our opinion) to effect that grand and important design.

6thly. In contradiction to the infamous slanders and lies spread by wicked and designing men, and which have prejudiced the mind of our king, that the people of the colonies are "factious and rebellious, aim at total independence," &c., we declare it to be our steadfast design and fixed resolution to maintain our duty and loyalty to the king, and delight in a constitutional dependence on the crown of Great Britain; and that nothing but a persevering design to deprive us of the freedom which we have

earned, to which we are entitled by every principle of justice, for which we have solemnly compacted with our king, which our God has given us to possess, and to which, by his favor, we are born, can ever render us willing to become thus independent. 7thly. That in our opinion, Boston, the capital town of New England, is first made to suffer the almost unparalleled hardship and distress aforesaid, not so much on account of the destruction of East India tea in their harbor, as for their having been ever forward and resolute in defence of their, and the common rights of the colonies; and we are the more grounded in this opinion, as it is most notorious that they used their utmost endeavors in a variety of ways, to accomplish the safe return of the aforesaid tea to the owners, and that all their endeavors for that purpose were effectually defeated by the power and authority of the late Governor Hutchinson, and the commissioners of the customs.

8thly. That forasmuch as this town is resolved to contend earnestly for liberty and property, and are not willing that either should be violated, even in the hands of our enemies, and as the aforesaid tea in the harbor of Boston, fell a just and necessary sacrifice in defence of both, it is the opinion of this town, that the proprietors of it, (base as they are in becoming the tools of oppression) ought to be indemnified therefor by the aforesaid Governor Hutchinson, and the commissioners of the customs, whose joint and successful efforts to prevent its return to them was the cause, without which it had never been destroyed.

9thly. That all those persons of what class or denomination soever, who have lately paid servile adulation to the aforesaid Governor Hutchinson on his departure to Great Britain; and in their addresses complimented him for his attachment to the interest of his country, the wisdom and faithfulness of his administration, &c.; have thereby counteracted the united voice and sense of their whole legislature, strengthened and increased the credit and influence of the said Governor with the King and Parliament of Great Britain, which we have reason to believe has been and will be exerted to injure and oppress his country, and have therefore forfeited the confidence of their countrymen, and ought to be treated by ALL with the utmost neglect and contempt.

10thly. That in the opinion of this town, it is of the utmost importance that the town of Boston, and province aforesaid,

should be encouraged and enabled to hold out against, and steadfastly resist this most violent attack upon our common liberties, until redress can be obtained; and therefore, that it is the duty of every inhabitant of this town to contribute according to his circumstances and ability, to the relief of those poor and distressed inhabitants of said Boston, who are least able to support their families, while all means of acquiring subsistence are taken away, and business stagnated by the cruel act for blocking up their harbor; and that subscriptions be opened for that purpose, and that the selectmen be a committee to receive the charitable donations of such as are disposed to contribute to the relief of those of our brethren in Boston, suffering as aforesaid; and the same in the most prudent way remit to the selectmen of said Boston, or to the overseers of the poor therein, to be improved accordingly.

11thly. That Col. William Williams, Mr. Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., Joshua West, Esq., Benjamin Bill, Esq., John Clark, Esq., and Mr. Pelatiah Marsh, be a committee to maintain a correspondence with the towns in this, and the neighboring colonies, as occasion shall require, on the interesting and important matters respecting the liberties of our country.

The foregoing draft of resolutions being repeatedly read, and maturely considered, were passed as the opinion, act, and resolves of said town without one dissentient voice, and ordered to be entered on the records of this town, and inserted in the New London Gazette.

Attest,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, JR., Clerk.

At a meeting of delegates of the towns in the counties of New London and Windham, convened at Norwich, the 8th day of September, 1774, to consult for their common safety, &c. Hon. Gurdon Saltonstall, Chairman; Col. Wm. Williams, Clerk.

This convention, taking into their serious consideration, the present state of this country, in that we are threatened with the loss of our liberties and constitutional rights, &c. And when we view its state, as to arms, military knowledge, proper stores, and the attention of this people to their just defence, whenever it shall so happen that any common enemy shall rise against us, and attempt our subjection by force of arms, we cannot but be

animated to address ourselves to all whose business it is to attend upon military affairs.

And in the First place, we do seriously recommend to the selectmen of every town, within the counties of New London and Windham, that as speedily as possible, they supply their town stock with a full complement of ammunition and military stores, as by law is required.

2dly. We recommend earnestly to every particular troop and military company within said two counties, both officers and soldiers, and all others living within their several and respective limits, who by law are required to provide and keep arms and ammunition, as speedily as possible to arm and equip themselves, agreeable to the directions of the laws of this colony, (excepting where in arms it may be thought expedient to vary, that such variation be uniformly adopted.)

3dly. We seriously recommend it to all such, as a matter of very great importance, that they, as expeditiously as may be, improve in, and learn the use and design of their arms, by artillery exercises or otherwise, that so they may answer the important purpose of their instruction, when occasion shall require, and become fitted to attend their colonel, and other field officers, when by them called to regimental reviews.

And, as every great and special advantage must arise from regimental reviews and exercises in the militia of this colony, at least as often as once in four years, as the law requires, and the same having been omitted and neglected, we now earnestly recommend to every colonel and other the field officers of each regiment within the two counties, that on some proper day or days, the present autumn, they call together their several and respective regiments, or such parts of them as shall be convenient, at some suitable and appointed places for the purposes above mentioned. And would also further recommend to the colonel or chief officer of each regiment in said two counties, that they forthwith issue their orders to the captains of the several companies in their respective regiments, that they and their companies immediately comply with the requisitions of the laws of this colony, both as to their equipment with arms and ammunition, &c., and a due attention to the cultivation of military skill and the art of war; and that said chief officers exert themselves in every proper and legal way, in their import

ant department, for a general improvement in, and cultivation of the noble and important art of military skill and discipline. Voted and passed unanimously. Test,

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Town Clerk.

At a legal town meeting, held in Coventry, August 15; continued, by adjournment, September 15, 1774. Phineas Strong, Esq., Moderator.

Justly alarmed from a consideration of the gloomy aspect which threatens the subversion of American liberty, from the late attempts of the British Parliament, to tax the Americans without their voice or consent; the subsequent acts to carry their measures into execution, relative to the towns of Boston and Charlestown, and the province of the Massachusetts Bay; vacating an essential part of their charter right, and depriving them of the use of private property; condemning them without a hearing or legal trial; and by coercive measures, and military force, to distress and dragoon into a compliance with the arbitrary will of the British ministry; the establishment of arbitrary government, and the Popish religion in a neighboring province, contrary to the late Act of settlement for the limitations of the Crown in the Protestant line. Which measures, we are hereby of opinion are a manifest infringement upon natural right, and subversive of the constitution, as founded in compact, stipulation, and charter, and as ever peaceably enjoyed under the late auspicious reigns of his present Majesty's most glorious ancestors.

This meeting, apprehending that unity of sentiment and measures, in every constitutional way, is the most probable method to obtain a redress of those grievances we feel, and to avert those we fear: Do cordially acquiesce in the general sentiment of a nonimportation, non-exportation and non-consumption agreement, until our rights shall be restored; highly approving of the wellconcerted measures of a General Congress, in whose wisdom we will confide, and in whose determinations we will cheerfully acquiesce; humbly imploring wisdom from above to direct them in their consultations and determinations for the general good; gratefully acknowledging the favorable omens of Providence, in that happy unity, propitious plenty, sympathetic charity, noble fortitude, and manly resistance of despotism, universal through