Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

feuch & that every member fignify his consent rancis Legend de to this versement by signing the same.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

PLEDGE OF SECRECY OF CONTINENTAL CONGRES

[graphic][ocr errors][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed]

OTHER MEASURES OF CONGRESS.

lowed to defend his property, and are subversive of American rights.

“Also, 12 Geo. III., ch. 24, entitled 'An act for the better securing his majesty's dock yards, magazines, ships, ammunition, and stores,' which declares a new offence in America, and deprives the American subject, of a constitutional trial by jury of the vicinage, by authorizing the trial of any person, charged with the committing any offence described in the said act, out of the realm, to be indicted and tried for the same, in any shire or county within the realm.

"Also the three acts passed in the last session of Parliament, for stopping the port and blocking up the harbor of Boston, for altering the charter and government of Massachusetts Bay, and that which is entitled 'An act for the better administration of justice, etc.'

"Also, the act passed in the same session for establishing the Roman Catholic religion in the province of Quebec, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger, (from so total a dissimilarity of religion, law and government,) of the neighboring British colonies, by the assistance of whose blood

309

The day after this declaration had been adopted, an agreement to abstain from all commercial intercourse with Great Britain was passed, and all Americans were urged to carry out its provisions. It was urged also that the names of all those who refused to aid the colonists in their struggle should be published as enemies to America. Slavery was also denounced, as being injurious to the best interests of the country.* Among the other papers adopted by the Congress, were the Address to the People of Great Britain, drawn up by John Jay,† and the Memorial to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies drafted by Richard Henry Lee. It is stated

and treasure the said country was conquered from by many that Patrick Henry prepared

France.

"Also, the act passed in the same session, for the better providing suitable quarters for officers and soldiers in his majesty's service, in North America.

"Also, that the keeping a standing army in several of these colonies, in time of peace, without the consent of the legislature of that colony in which such army is kept, is against law.

"To these grievous acts and measures Americans cannot submit; but in hopes their fellow subjects in Great Britain will, on a revision of them, restore us to that state, in which both countries found happiness and prosperity, we have, for the present, only resolved to pursue the following peaceable measures: 1. To enter into a nonimportation association. 2. To prepare an address to the people of Great Britain, and memorial to the inhabitants of British America: and 3. To prepare a loyal address to his majesty, agreeably to resolutions already entered into."

a

* See the Journals of Congress, vol. i., p. 19 et seq.; MacDonald, Select Charters, pp. 356–361; Taylor, Origin and Growth of the American Constitution, app. vi. The original draft and the Declaration as adopted will be found in John Adams, Works, vol. ii., pp. 535-542.

a petition to the king, but, while he did participate in the convention, it is doubtful if he actually had a hand in this. At any rate, the final draft as approved by Congress was drawn up by Dickinson.|| Dickinson prepared also an Address to the Inhabitants of Quebec, but for reasons already stated, this had little effect upon the inhabitants of that province and failed to induce them to join the colonists

*

Journals of Congress, vol. i., pp. 23–26; MacDonald, Select Charters, pp. 362–367; Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. i., pp. 195–196.

Journals of Congress, vol. i., pp. 26-31; Pellew, John Jay, pp. 39-40. See Appendix iii. Journal of Congress, pp. 31-38; Appendix iv. Journal of Congress, vol. i., pp. 46-49; Tyler, Life of Patrick Henry, pp. 104-105; Henry, Life of Patrick Henry, vol. i., p. 243; Hildreth, vol. ii., p. 44; Appendix v.; John Adams, Works, vol. i., pp. 158-159.

§ Journals of Congress, vol. i., pp. 40–45.

« PreviousContinue »