of any court executing their office, who shall refuse, when requested, to make and sign a full and ample declaration, expressing their abhorrence of the late innovations attempted in our constitution, and that they do not now, nor will at any time hereafter, hold their commissions in any other way than what is prescribed by the charter and well known constitution of this province, and that they will not, in any way, countenance, aid, or support the execution of the late acts of parliament. 19. That the circumstances of the country require, and make it necessary, that we should, until our rights are fully restored, withhold all commercial intercourse with Great Britain and Ireland, and refrain from the consumption of British manufactures and merchandize, especially East India teas, and other goods, subject to such additions, alterations, and exceptions only, as the grand Congress of the colonies may agree to. 20. We recommend to the several towns in this county, to make provisiou for, and to order the payment of their several representatives out of their town treasuries, in order to do justice to them, and at the same time defeat one of the machinations of our enemies. 21. That those justices of the courts of general sessions of the peace and common pleas for this county, who, at the last term, in the name of the whole, addressed his excellency governor Gage, have, therein, wantonly, without reason, and without provocation, aspersed the clergy, the committees of correspondence, and other good people of this county, and thereby shown that they have no tender feelings for the distresses of their country, and can rejoice at their calamities. 22. That this county should entertain a high sense of gratitude for the benevolent alacrity and readiness, shown by our brethren in the other colonies, to aid and support this province under our present distresses, and to come to our relief, whenever the blood-thirsty malice of our enemies shall make it necessary. 23. That Edward Winslow, Jr. one of the two clerks of the court of general sessions of the peace and court of common pleas for this county, has, by refusing this body a copy of an address made at the last term in this county to Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., betrayed the trust reposed in him, and by refusing his attendance when requested, treated the body of this county with insult and contempt, and by that means rendered himself unworthy to serve the county in said office. 24. That it be earnestly recommended to the inhabitants of this county, that they carefully avoid all riots, routs, tumults, and disturbances, under our present distressed circumstances, and that they maintain all that peace and good order that the nature of our present situation will admit. THOMAS LOTHROP, Clerk, 79 CONVENTION OF BRISTOL COUNTY. Ar a meeting of the gentlemen, delegates from the following towns in the county of Bristol, viz.: Taunton, Dartmouth, Rehoboth, Freetown, Dighton, Swansey, Norton, Mansfield, Raynham, Berkeley and Easton, held at the court house, in Taunton, on the 28th and 29th days of September, 1774, to consult upon proper measures to be taken at the present alarming crisis of our public affairs: Zephaniah Leonard, Esq., was chosen chairman. After having read the act of parliament for regulating the government of this province, and the resolves of the counties of Suffolk, Middlesex, &c., the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Whereas, our ancestors, of blessed memory, from a prudent care for theinselves, and a tender concern for their descendants, did, through a series of unparalleled dangers and distresses, purchase a valuable inheritance in this western world, and carefully transmitted the same to us, their posterity; and whereas, for many years past, we have quietly enjoyed certain rights and privileges, stipulated by charter, and repeatedly confirmed by royal engagements, which rights and privileges are now unjustly invaded by the pretended authority of a British parliament, under pretext that it is inexpedient for us any longer to enjoy them; and as the same persons who found out this inexpediency, will, no doubt, in time, discover that it is inexpedient for us to enjoy any rights, and even any property at all; we cannot, in justice to ourselves and posterity, and in gratitude to our revered ancestors, tamely stand by, and suffer every thing that is valuable and dear to be wrested from us; but are resolutely determined, at the risk of our fortunes and lives, to defend our natural and compacted rights, and to oppose, to our utmost, all illegal and unconstitutional measures, which have been, or may be hereafter, adopted by a British parliament or a British ministry. And though we deprecate the evils which are naturally consequent upon a breach of that mutual affection and confidence which has subsisted betwixt Great Britain and her colonies, yet we think it better to suffer those evils, than voluntarily submit to perpetual slavery. We are sensible that the important crisis before us demands the exercise of much wisdom, prudence, and fortitude, and we sincerely hope, that all our deliberations and actions will be guided by the principles of sound reason, and a hearty desire to promote the true interest of the British empire. Accordingly, we resolve in the following manner, viz.: Resolved, That we freely recognize George the third, king of Great Britain, &c., as our rightful sovereign, and as allegiance and protection are reciprocal, we are determined faithfully to yield the former as long as we are allowed the enjoyment of the latter. Resolved, That the late acts of the British parliament, relating to the continent in general, and this province in particular, are contrary to reason and the spirit of the English constitution, and, if complied with, will reduce us to the most abject state of servitude. Resolved, That all civil officers in this province, considered as holding their respective offices by the tenure specified in a late act of the British parliament, deserve neither obedience nor respect; but we will support all civil authority that is agreeable to the charter of the province granted by king William and queen Mary. Resolved, That it is our opinion, that the several towns of this county should regulate themselves in all their public proceedings, agreeably to the laws of this province. Resolved, That we will use our utmost endeavors to discountenance and suppress all mobs, riots, and breaches of the peace, and will afford all the protection in our power to the persons and properties of our loyal fellow subjects. Resolved, That, in all things, we will regulate ourselves by the opinion and advice of the Continental Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia; and as we place great confidence in the abilities of the gentlemen, members of that congress, we will cheerfully subscribe to their determinations. Resolved, That our brethren of the town of Boston, who are now suffering under the cruel hand of power in the common cause of America, are justly entitled to all that support and relief which we can give, and are now ready to afford them. Resolved, That whereas, our brethren of the county of Suffolk have, by their spirited and noble resolutions, fully made known our sentiments, we therefore think it unnecessary for us to be more particular, as we most cheerfully adopt their measures and resolutions. Voted, 'That the above proceedings be inserted in the public papers. Voted, That the committee for the town of Taunton, be empowered to call a meeting of this body, whenever they think it necessary. Voted, That the thanks of this body be given to the chairman, for his faithful services. Voted, That this assembly be adjourned, and it was accordingly adjourned. DAVID COBB, Clerk. CONVENTION OF WORCESTER COUNTY. JOURNAL of a convention of the committees of correspondence and delegates, of the several towns in the county of Worcester. TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1774. At a meeting of the committees of correspondence for the county of Worcester, in county Congress assembled, on the 9th day of August, A. D. 1774, at the house of Mrs. Mary Sternes, in Worcester, there were present: Worcester-William Young, Esq., Mr. Joshua Bigelow, Capt. Timothy Bigelow, Lieut. John Smith. Lancaster-Doct. William Dunsmore, Deacon David Wilder, Mr. Aaron Sawyer, Capt. Samuel Ward, Capt. Asa Whitcomb, Capt. Hezekiah Gates, Mr. John Prescott, Mr. Ephraim Sawyer. Mendon-Capt. Nathan Tyler, Deacon Edward Rawson, Mr. James Sumner, Elder Nathaniel Nelson, Mr. Benoni Benson. Rutland District-Mr. Asa Hapgood, Lieut. Nathan Sparhawk, Deacon John Mason, Lieut. Andrew Parker. Brookfield-Jedediah Foster, Esq., Capt. Jeduthan Baldwin, Capt. Phinehas Upham. lin. Oxford-Capt. Ebenezer Learned, Doct. Alexander Campbell. Charlton-Mr. Caleb Curtis, Capt. Jonathan Tucker. Sutton-Mr. Amos Singletary, Capt. Henry King, Rev. Ebenezer Chap Leicester, Spencer and Paxton-Col. Thomas Denny, Capt. William Henshaw, Capt. Joseph Henshaw, Rev. Benjamin Conklin. Westborough-Capt. Stephen Maynard. Shrewsbury-Hon. Artemas Ward, Mr. Phinehas Heywood. Lunenburg-Doct. John Taylor. Harvard-Rev. Joseph Wheeler. Bolton-Capt. Samuel Baker, Mr. Jonathan Holman. Petersham-Capt Ephraim Doolittle, Col. Jonathan Grout. Southborough-Capt. Jonathan Wood. Hardwick-Capt. Paul Mandell, Mr. Stephen Rice, Lieut. Jonathan Warner, Deacon John Bradish. Holden-Mr. John Child. Douglas-Mr. Samuel Jennison. Princeton-Mr Moses Gill. A committee was appointed to sort and count the votes given in, for a chairman or president, and clerk, who reported that William Young, Esq., of Worcester, was elected chairman, and William Henshaw, Esq., of Leicester, clerk. The Rev. Benjamin Conklin, being invited, opened the meeting with very earnest and solemn prayer. Voted, To choose a committee of ten, to draw up some proper resolves to lay before the convention for their consideration. Voted, That Mr. Timothy Bigelow, Capt. Joseph Henshaw, Capt. Ephraim Doolittle, Capt. Samuel Ward, Mr. John Smith, Mr. Luke Drury, Mr. Joshua Bigelow, Deacon Edward Rawson, Capt. Paul Mandell, Lieut. Jonathan Holman, be the committee. The committee retired, and again returned, after some time, and reported that they had drafted a number of resolves, which were read. After debate thereon, it was voted to lay the resolves upon the table for further consideration. Voted, To adjourn to to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock, to meet at the same place. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1774. Met according to adjournment. In the absence of the president, Deacon Baker was chosen chairman pro tempore. Voted, That the committee chosen yesterday, be a committee to write a letter to the gentlemen chosen by this province to attend the Continental Congress, to inform them of the sense of the county respecting our public affairs. A letter being reported, was considered and accepted. Voted, That the committee chosen yesterday, be a committee to send a letter to all of the towns and districts in this county, who have not chosen committees of correspondence, desiring them to choose such committees, or send delegates to represent them at the adjournment of this convention. The committee chosen to write to the several towns, after some time, reported, that they were ready to read a letter; which was done, and the same was accepted, and is as follows: WORCESTER, August 9, 1774. FRIENDS AND BRETHREN :-The committees of correspondence from a majority of towns in this county, have now convened at Worcester, in order to consult and determine upon the most regular steps to be taken and recommended to the several towns in this county, at this truly critical and alarming crisis, when it no longer remains a doubt, that the acts, annihilating our once free constitution, are actually come authenticated, attended with three more transports and a ship of war, and the council, appointed by his majesty, are about taking the oaths required for that office. In the first place, we beg leave to observe, that a considerable number of respectable towns in this county have not yet chosen committees, and by that means, may not have received the letters notifying this convention; therefore, we earnestly recommend, as brethren and fellow sufferers, when all that is valuable in this life is at stake, that you choose committees of correspondence, or such other delegates as you may think proper, to meet this convention at their adjournment, when the united wisdom and aid of the whole are wanting, to oppose the torrent of tyranny rushing upon us. In order to avoid a second disappointment, by having our letters fall into unfriendly hands, and you thereby be deprived of a proper notification, we shall be careful to have them transmitted by such of our members as live nearest those towns which have not sent their committees. The convention stands adjourned to the last Tuesday of August instant, at the house of Mrs. Mary Sternes, innholder, at Worcester, at 10 o'clock, before noon. By order of the committees of correspondence in convention, The consideration of the resolves reported yesterday, was resumed: the |