Semiquincentennial of the American Revolution

[Tidewater]

I missed the semiquincentennial of the Boston Tea Party (16 December 1773), but the British Parliament moved quickly to crush Boston with the Intolerable Acts.

• The Boston Port Act passed Parliament on March 31, 1774, and King George III gave it royal assent on May 20th. The act blockaded Boston, commencing June 1, 1774.
• The Massachusetts Government Act made the Massachusetts legislature directly appointed by King George (rather than elected by the people of Massachusetts) and gave the council the power to appoint county sheriffs and judges. Sheriffs now selected jurors for criminal trials.
• The Act for the Impartial Administration of Justice made it possible for criminal cases to be moved to another colony or England for trial.
• The Quartering Act received royal assent on June 2, 1774 and directed British soldiers be quartered in “uninhabited houses, out-houses, barns, or other buildings,” (not in colonists' houses) yet they were to be quartered at colonists' expense.
• The Quebec Act established freedom of religion for Roman Catholics in Quebec (which is why Canada did not join the Revolution later; the French Canadians told their Anglo neighbors to the south, "Nah, we're good.").

The situation was evolving fast. I will update was semiquincentennial events happen.

 

[Tidewater]

In Response, the Virginia House of Burgesses passed (and on 11 August 1774 published in the Virginia Gazette), a series of resolutions known as "the Association."
August 1-6, 1774

We, his Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the delegates of the freeholders of Virginia, deputed to represent them at a general meeting in the city of Williamsburg, avowing our inviolable and unshaken fidelity and attachment to our most gracious sovereign, our regard and affection for all our friends and fellow subjects in Great Britain and elsewhere, protesting against every act or thing which may have the most distant tendency to interrupt, or in any wise disturb his Majesty's peace, and the good order of government, within this his ancient colony, which we are resolved to maintain and defend at the risk of our lives and fortunes, but at the same time affected with the deepest anxiety, and most alarming apprehensions of those grievances and distresses by which his Majesty's American subjects are oppressed, and having taken under our most serious deliberation the state of the whole continent, find that the present unhappy situation of our affairs is chiefly occasioned by certain ill-advised regulations, as well of our trade as internal policy, introduced by several unconstitutional Acts of the British Parliament, and at length attempted to be enforced by the hand of power; solely influenced by these important and weighty considerations, we think it an indispensable duty which we owe to our country, ourselves, and latest posterity, to guard against such dangerous and extensive mischiefs, by every just and proper means.

If, by the measures adopted, some unhappy consequences and inconveniences should be derived to our fellow subjects, whom we wish not to injure in the smallest degree, we hope and flatter ourselves, that they will impute them to their real cause the hard necessity to which we are driven.

That the good people of this colony may, on so trying an occasion, continue steadfastly directed to their most essential interests, in hopes that they will be influenced and stimulated by our example to the greatest industry, the strictest economy, and frugality, and the execution of every public virtue, persuaded that the merchants, manufacturers, and other inhabitants of Great Britain, and above all, that the British Parliament will be convinced how much the true interest of that kingdom must depend on the restoration and continuance of that mutual friendship and cordiality which so happily subsisted between us, we have unanimously, and with one voice, entered into the following resolutions and association, which we do oblige ourselves, by those sacred ties of honour and love to our country, strictly to observe; and further declare before God and the world, that we will religiously adhere to and keep the same inviolate in every particular, until redress of all such American grievances as may be defined and settled at the general congress of delegates from the different colonies shall be fully obtained, or until this association shall be abrogated or altered by a general meeting of the deputies of this colony, to be convened, as is hereinafter directed. And we do with the greatest earnestness recommend this our association to all gentlemen, merchants, traders, and other inhabitants of this colony, hoping that they will cheerfully and cordially accede thereto.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Just curious, TW....

The Centennial is 100 years.

The Sesquicentennial is 150.

The Bicentennial is 200 years.

So why is 250 years the Semiquincentennial as opposed to the Sesquibicentennial?

 

[NationalTitles18]

 

[Tidewater]

Just curious, TW....

The Centennial is 100 years.

The Sesquicentennial is 150.

The Bicentennial is 200 years.

So why is 250 years the Semiquincentennial as opposed to the Sesquibicentennial?

500 is the quincentennial.
Half of 500 is 250, so the semiquincentennial is half the quincentennial.
There is another adjective, but it is even longer.

 

[Crimson1967]

United States Semiquincentennial - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Tidewater]

Here are the provisions of the Association. (Short titles in bold by me; the bold are my words.)

1st. Non-importation. We ... will not ... after the first day of November next, import from Great Britain, any goods, wares, or merchandises whatever (medicines excepted) ...

2dly. No slaves imported. We will neither ourselves import nor purchase any slave or slaves, imported by any person, after the first day of November next, ...

3dly. No tea. ... [W]e will not from this day, either import tea ... nor will we use ... such of it as is now at hand, to be used in any of our families.

4thly. If Boston has to pay. If the inhabitants of the town of Boston, ... should ... be compelled to pay the East India Company for destroying any tea ..., we will not, ... purchase any British East India commodity whatever till the company, ... shall refund ... all such sum or sums of money as may be so extorted.

5thly. No tobacco exports. unless American grievances be redressed before the 10th day of August, 1775, we will not ... export tobacco or any other article whatever to Great Britain; ... And ... we do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of this colony to refrain from the cultivation of tobacco ..., and in lieu thereof that they will ... apply their attention and industry to the cultivation of all such articles as may form a proper basis for manufactures of all sorts, which we will endeavour to encourage throughout this colony ...

6thly. Sheep. We will endeavour to improve our breed of sheep and increase their number ... , and if we should at any time be overstocked and can conveniently spare any, we will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially the poorer sort of people, upon moderate terms.

7thly. No Price gouging. ... the merchants ... , ought not to take advantage of the scarcity of goods that may be occasioned by this association, but that they ought to sell the same at the rates they have been accustomed to for twelve months past, and if they shall ... , violate or depart from this resolution, we will not, ... deal with any such persons, their factors, or agents, for any commodity whatever; and it is recommended ... that committees be chosen in each county, ... to take effectual care that these resolves be properly observed, and for corresponding occasionally with the general committee of correspondence in the city of Williamsburg. ...

8thly. Violators. [A]fter the first day of November next, [we will not] deal with any merchant or trader who will not sign this association, nor until he hath obtained a certificate of his having done so from the county committee, or any three members thereof. And if any merchant ... shall import any ... merchandise after the first day of November, ... such goods and merchandise should be ... delivered up to the county committee, ...; and if such importer shall refuse to comply, ... we will thereafter consider such person or persons as inimical to this country, and break off every connection and all dealings with them.

9thly. No tobacco exporters. Resolved, that if any person ... shall export tobacco, .... after the 10th day of August, 1775, we shall ... consider such person or persons as inimical to the community, and as an approver of American grievances; and ... the public should be advertised of his conduct ...

10thly. Congress may enlarge these acts. ... the general congress may improve these our endeavours to preserve the rights and liberties in British America, we decline enlarging at present, but ... we will ... strictly observe, all such alterations, or additions, assented to by the delegates for this colony, ...

11thly. Contributions for Boston. ... we ... recommend it to all the inhabitants of this colony, to make such liberal contributions ... to be collected and remitted to Boston ....

12thly. Reconvene. ...[T]he moderator of this meeting, ... be empowered ... to convene the several delegates of this colony at such time and place as he may judge proper ...

 

[Go Bama]

Here are the provisions of the Association. (Short titles in bold by me)

1st. Non-importation. We ... will not ... after the first day of November next, import from Great Britain, any goods, wares, or merchandises whatever (medicines excepted) ...

2dly. No slaves imported. We will neither ourselves import nor purchase any slave or slaves, imported by any person, after the first day of November next, ...

3dly. No tea. ... [W]e will not from this day, either import tea ... nor will we use ... such of it as is now at hand, to be used in any of our families.

4thly. If Boston has to pay. If the inhabitants of the town of Boston, ... should ... be compelled to pay the East India Company for destroying any tea ..., we will not, ... purchase any British East India commodity whatever till the company, ... shall refund ... all such sum or sums of money as may be so extorted.

5thly. No tobacco exports. nless American grievances be redressed before the 10th day of August, 1775, we will not ... export tobacco or any other article whatever to Great Britain; ... And ... we do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of this colony to refrain from the cultivation of tobacco ..., and in lieu thereof that they will ... apply their attention and industry to the cultivation of all such articles as may form a proper basis for manufactures of all sorts, which we will endeavour to encourage throughout this colony ...

6thly. Sheep. We will endeavour to improve our breed of sheep and increase their number ... , and if we should at any time be overstocked and can conveniently spare any, we will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially the poorer sort of people, upon moderate terms.

7thly. No Price gouging. ... the merchants ... , ought not to take advantage of the scarcity of goods that may be occasioned by this association, but that they ought to sell the same at the rates they have been accustomed to for twelve months past, and if they shall ... , violate or depart from this resolution, we will not, ... deal with any such persons, their factors, or agents, for any commodity whatever; and it is recommended ... that committees be chosen in each county, ... to take effectual care that these resolves be properly observed, and for corresponding occasionally with the general committee of correspondence in the city of Williamsburg. ...

8thly. Violators. [A]fter the first day of November next, [we will not] deal with any merchant or trader who will not sign this association, nor until he hath obtained a certificate of his having done so from the county committee, or any three members thereof. And if any merchant ... shall import any ... merchandise after the first day of November, ... such goods and merchandise should be ... delivered up to the county committee, ...; and if such importer shall refuse to comply, ... we will thereafter consider such person or persons as inimical to this country, and break off every connection and all dealings with them.

9thly. No tobacco exporters. Resolved, that if any person ... shall export tobacco, .... after the 10th day of August, 1775, we shall ... consider such person or persons as inimical to the community, and as an approver of American grievances; and ... the public should be advertised of his conduct ...

10thly. Congress may enlarge these acts. ... the general congress may improve these our endeavours to preserve the rights and liberties in British America, we decline enlarging at present, but ... we will ... strictly observe, all such alterations, or additions, assented to by the delegates for this colony, ...

11thly. Contributions for Boston. ... we ... recommend it to all the inhabitants of this colony, to make such liberal contributions ... to be collected and remitted to Boston ....

12thly. Reconvene. ...[T]he moderator of this meeting, ... be empowered ... to convene the several delegates of this colony at such time and place as he may judge proper ...

In your 5thly paragraph above, you copied and pasted a letter “u” in brackets. The bracketed “u” is at the start of the word “unless.” If you edit to remove the brackets, the underline in the rest of your post will disappear and the missing “u” will reappear.

Also, a bracketed “b” would bold the rest of your post. An “s” will strike through, and an “i” will italicize.

 

[Tidewater]

This is the semiquincentennial of the first meeting of the First Continental Congress. (Quebec was invited, but did not attend.)
At this Congress, the Virginia delegates presented a document drafted by Thomas Jefferson of the Virginia House of Burgesses. This was intended to be a petition to King George for redress of grievances. Exerpts are below.


"Summary View of the Rights of British America" by Thomas Jefferson

Resolved, … to lay before [the King], … the united complaints of his majesty's subjects in America; complaints which are excited by many unwarrantable encroachments and usurpations, attempted to be made by the legislature of one part of the empire, upon those rights which God and the laws have given equally and independently to all. [we] hope that this their joint address … shall obtain from his majesty a more respectful acceptance. … he is no more than the chief officer of the people, appointed by the laws, and circumscribed with definite powers, to assist in working the great machine of government, …

Our ancestors, were the free inhabitants of the British dominions … and possessed a right … of going in quest of new habitations, and of there establishing new societies, under such laws and regulations as to them shall seem most likely to promote public happiness. their Saxon ancestors had, … possessed themselves of the island of Britain, … no circumstance has occurred to distinguish materially the British from the Saxon emigration. America was conquered, and her settlements made, and firmly established, at the expence of individuals, and not of the British public. Their own blood was spilt in acquiring lands for their settlement, their own fortunes expended in making that settlement effectual; for themselves they fought, for themselves they conquered, and for themselves alone they have right to hold. … settlements having been thus effected in the wilds of America, the emigrants thought proper to adopt that system of laws under which they had hitherto lived in the mother country, …

The exercise of a free trade with all parts of the world, … [was a] natural right, and which no law of their own had taken away or abridged, was next the object of unjust encroachment. … [After the restoration of the Stuart King Charles II] the trade of the colonies was laid under such restrictions, as shew what hopes they might form from the justice of a British parliament, were its uncontrouled power admitted over these states. History has informed us that bodies of men, as well as individuals, are susceptible of the spirit of tyranny. … [Some examples:]

[Parliament required that] the surplus of our tobaccoes remaining after the consumption of Great Britain is supplied; so that we must leave them with the British merchant for whatever he will please to allow us, to be by him reshipped to foreign markets, where he will reap the benefits of making sale of them for full value. … an American subject is forbidden to make a hat for himself of the fur which he has taken perhaps on his own soil; an instance of despotism to which no parallel can be produced in the most arbitrary ages of British history. … Justice is not the same in America as in Britain, or else that the British parliament pay less regard to it here than there. [We take] The true ground on which we declare these acts void is, that the British parliament has no right to exercise authority over us.

That these exercises of usurped power have not been confined to instances alone, in which themselves were interested, but they have also intermeddled with the regulation of the internal affairs of the colonies. … Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate and systematical plan of reducing us to slavery.

[The Intolerable Acts attempt to show] why 160,000 electors in the island of Great Britain should give law to four millions in the states of America, every individual of whom is equal to every individual of them, in virtue, in understanding, and in bodily strength? Were this to be admitted, instead of being a free people, as we have hitherto supposed, and mean to continue ourselves, we should suddenly be found the slaves, not of one, but of 160,000 tyrants, … The East India company, … send hither many ship loads of that obnoxious commodity [tea]. The masters of their several vessels, however, on their arrival in America, wisely attended to admonition, and returned with their cargoes. … [Parliament] without calling for a party accused, without asking a proof, without attempting a distinction between the guilty and the innocent, the whole of that antient and wealthy town [of Boston] is in a moment reduced from opulence to beggary. [We opposed this and] the wretched criminal, if he happen to have offended on the American side, stripped of his privilege of trial by peers of his vicinage, removed from the place where alone full evidence could be obtained, without money, without counsel, without friends, without exculpatory proof, is tried before judges predetermined to condemn. …

 

[Tidewater]

And the conclusion of Jefferson's "Summary View."

[Further] his majesty has rejected laws of the most salutary tendency. The abolition of domestic slavery is the great object of desire in those colonies, where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state. But previous to the enfranchisement of the slaves we have, it is necessary to exclude all further importations from Africa; yet our repeated attempts to effect this by prohibitions, and by imposing duties which might amount to a prohibition, have been hitherto defeated by his majesty's negative: Thus preferring the immediate advantages of a few African corsairs to the lasting interests of the American states, and to the rights of human nature, deeply wounded by this infamous practice. … Since the establishment, however, of the British constitution, at the glorious revolution, on its free and antient principles, neither his majesty, nor his ancestors, have exercised such a power of dissolution [of the legislature] in the island of Great Britain; … will it not appear strange to an unbiassed observer, that that of Great Britain was not dissolved, while those of the colonies have repeatedly incurred that sentence? … your governors, have … after dissolving one house of representatives, .. [and] have refused to call another, so that, … the legislature provided by the laws has been out of existence. … a state so situated as that it may not in any emergency provide against dangers which perhaps threaten immediate ruin. …

Our Saxon ancestors held their lands, as they did their personal property, in absolute dominion, … which the feudalists term allodial. William, the Norman, first introduced [feudalism, grants of land in exchange for service] But still much was left in the hands of his Saxon subjects; held of no superior, and not subject to feudal conditions. … they had not been surrendered to the king, they were not derived from his grant, and therefore they were not holden of him. … America was not conquered by William the Norman, nor its lands surrendered to him, or any of his successors. Possessions there are undoubtedly of the allodial nature. Our ancestors, however, who migrated hither, were farmers, not lawyers. … while the crown continued to grant [land] for small sums, and on reasonable rents; there was no inducement to arrest the error, and lay it open to public view. … It is time, therefore, for us to lay this matter before his majesty, and to declare that he has no right to grant lands of himself. …

His majesty has from time to time sent among us large bodies of armed forces, not made up of the people here, nor raised by the authority of our laws: … He possesses, indeed, the executive power of the laws in every state; but they are the laws of the particular state which he is to administer within that state, and not those of any one within the limits of another. … his majesty has expressly made the civil subordinate to the military. …

A free people claiming their rights, as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate: Let those flatter who fear; it is not an American art. … kings are the servants, not the proprietors of the people. … The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest. … It is neither our wish, nor our interest, to separate from her [Great Britain]. We are willing, on our part, to sacrifice every thing which reason can ask to the restoration of that tranquillity for which all must wish. On their part, let them be ready to establish union and a generous plan. Let them name their terms, but let them be just. … let them not think to exclude us from going to other markets to dispose of those commodities which [Britain] cannot use, or to supply those wants which [Britain] cannot supply. Still less let it be proposed that our properties within our own territories shall be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own. The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them. This, sire, is our last, our determined resolution; and that you will be pleased to interpose with that efficacy which your earnest endeavours may ensure to procure redress of these our great grievances, to quiet the minds of your subjects in British America, against any apprehensions of future encroachment, to establish fraternal love and harmony through the whole empire, and that these may continue to the latest ages of time, is the fervent prayer of all British America!

 

[Tidewater]

Jefferson write some interesting things here:
1. We do not own our land by the permission of the King.
2. The King is the servant of the people, not their owner.
3. The legislature of one part of the British empire does not have the right to legislate on the internal affairs of another part of the empire.
4. A group of people can be as oppressive a tyrant as one person.
5. People are endowed by their creator with certain rights and the King (or Parliament) cannot take those away.

 

[T Bone]

i have a sneaking suspicion this will all lead to war..................lol..........TW this is great i am enjoying it immensely

 

[Tidewater]

This is not the semiquincentennial, but an important milestone of the Republic.
On this date in 1787, 38 members of the Constitutional Convention signed the finished Constitution and sent it to Congress for transmission to the states for ratification.
Not all the delegates signed. Some objected to the Convention exceeding its mandate to draft amendments to the Articles of Confederation. Some objected to the lack of a Bill of Rights. Some objected to its toleration of slavery.
At any rate, it went through Congress to the states for debate and possibly ratification.

 

[Padreruf]

Jefferson write some interesting things here:
1. We do not own our land by the permission of the King.
2. The King is the servant of the people, not their owner.
3. The legislature of one part of the British empire does not have the right to legislate on the internal affairs of another part of the empire.
4. A group of people can be as oppressive a tyrant as one person.
5. People are endowed by their creator with certain rights and the King (or Parliament) cannot take those away.

I especially like #5 -- comes straight out of Jewish and Christian theology as to the nature of God and humanity, creation, etc. For someone who really doubted much of the NT he sure liked the foundation...

 

[Tidewater]

250 years ago Sunday:

Spurred by local pressure groups, colonial legislatures empowered delegates to attend a Continental Congress which would set terms for a boycott. The colony of Connecticut was the first to respond.
The Congress first met in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774, with delegates from each of the 13 colonies except Georgia. On October 20, the Congress adopted the Articles of Association, which stated that if the Intolerable Acts were not repealed by December 1, 1774, a boycott of British goods would begin in the colonies. The Articles also outlined plans for an embargo on exports if the Intolerable Acts were not repealed before September 10, 1775.
The Articles of Association were not a frame of government. They were a voluntary agreement by the legislatures of the various colonies to boycott British goods to pressure Brits into dropping the Intolerable Acts. Georgia did not even show up. Quebec was invited, but also did not show.

 

[Tidewater]

Here is the readers' digest version of the Articles.

Journals of the Continental Congress - The Articles of Association; October 20, 1774

We, his majesty's most loyal subjects … avowing our allegiance to his majesty, … affected with the deepest anxiety… occasioned by a ruinous system of colony administration, … calculated for enslaving these colonies, … And, therefore, we do, … firmly agree and associate, under the sacred ties of virtue, honour and love of our country, as follows:

1. That from and after the first day of December next, we will not import, into British America, from Great-Britain or Ireland, any goods, wares, or merchandise whatsoever, …

2. We will neither import nor purchase, any slave imported after the first day of December next; …

3. … we will not purchase or use any tea, imported on account of the East-India company, or any on which a duty bath been or shall be paid; …

4. .. the tenth day of September, 1775; at which time, … we will not directly or indirectly, export any merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, …

5. Such as are merchants, … will give orders, as soon as possible, to their factors, … not to ship any goods to them, …

6. That such as are owners of vessels will give positive orders to their captains, or masters, not to receive on board their vessels any goods prohibited by the said non-importation agreement, …

7. We will … improve the breed of sheep, and … and those of us, who are or may become overstocked … will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially to the poorer sort, on moderate terms.

8. We will… encourage frugality, economy, and industry, and promote agriculture, arts and the manufactures of this country, especially that of wool; …

9. Such as are venders of goods or merchandize will not take advantage of the scarcity of goods, …

10. … any merchant … shall import any goods or merchandize, after the first day of December, … the same ought … to be either re-shipped or delivered up to the committee of the country or town… or be sold under the direction of the committee aforesaid; and … the profit, if any, to be applied towards relieving and employing such poor inhabitants of the town of Boston, as are immediate sufferers by the Boston port-bill; …

11. That a committee be chosen in every county, city, and town, … whose business it shall be attentively to observe the conduct of all persons touching this association; and when … any person … has violated this association, that … the truth of the case to be published in the gazette; … and thenceforth we respectively will break off all dealings with him or her.

12. That the committee of correspondence, in the respective colonies, do frequently inspect the entries of their customhouses, and inform each other, from time to time, of the true state …

13. That all manufactures of this country be sold at reasonable prices, so that no undue advantage be taken of a future scarcity of goods.

14. And … at we will have no trade, … with any colony … which shall not accede to, or which shall hereafter violate this association, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, …

And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents, under the ties aforesaid, to adhere to this association, until such parts of the several acts of parliament …as impose or continue duties …, and extend the powers of the admiralty courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American subject of trial by jury, … are repealed. And we recommend it to the provincial conventions, and to the committees in the respective colonies, to establish such farther regulations as they may think proper, for carrying into execution this association.

… we have hereunto set our respective names accordingly.

IN CONGRESS, PHILADELPHIA, October 20, 1774.


There is a surprising degree of social consciousness in this document towards those less well off: taking care of the poor of Boston, sharing sheep with the less well-to-do, and no price gouging by merchants. It is (still) conciliatory to the king, but American patience is clearly limited. The ball was then in the British court...

 

[Tidewater]

I missed an anniversary from yesterday. The Continental Congress went over Parliament's heads and addressed the voters of Britain.

Address to the People of Great Britain

Friday, October 21, 1774.

FRIENDS AND FELLOW-SUBJECTS: When a Nation, lead to greatness by the hand of Liberty, and possessed of all the Glory that heroism, munificence, and humanity can bestow, descends to the ungrateful task of forging chains for her friends and children, and instead of giving support to Freedom, turns advocate for Slavery and Oppression, there is reason to suspect she has either ceased to be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in the appointment of her Rulers. …

The cause of America … has at length become very serious. This unhappy country has not only been oppressed, but abused and misrepresented; … no power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent.

We claim all the benefits secured to the subject by the English Constitution, and particularly that … no man be condemned unheard, or punished for supposed offences, without having an opportunity of making his defence. …

These rights we, as well as you, deem sacred; and yet, … they have, … been repeatedly and flagrantly violated. …

The Parliament assert that … they may take and use our property when and in what manner they please; …

You restrained our trade … You named the Ports and Nations to which alone our merchandise should be carried, …

To what causes, then, are we to attribute the sudden change of treatment, and that system of slavery which was prepared for us at the restoration of peace?…

An attempt was made to drain this country of all its money, by the oppressive Stamp Act, Paint, Glass, and other commodities, which you would not permit us to purchase of other Nations, were taxed. … You prohibited our procuring it (Wine) of foreigners, without paying a tax …

To enforce this unconstitutional and unjust scheme of taxation, every fence that the wisdom of our British ancestors had carefully erected against arbitrary power, has been violently thrown down in America; …
By another Act the dominion of Canada is to be so extended, modelled, and governed, as that by being disunited from us, detached from our interests, by civil as well as religious prejudices, that by their numbers daily swelling with Catholick emigrants from Europe, and by their devotion to Administration, … to reduce the ancient, free, Protestant Colonies to the same state of slavery with themselves. …

This being a true state of facts, let us beseech you to consider to what end they lead. …

in less than half a century, the quit-rents reserved to the Crown, from the numberless grants of this vast Continent, will pour large streams of wealth into the Royal coffers; and … the Crown will be rendered independent of you for supplies, and will possess more treasure than may be necessary to purchase the remains of liberty in your Island. In a word, take care that you do not fall into the pit that is preparing for us. …

It is with the utmost regret, … that we find ourselves compelled, … But we hope, that the magnanimity and justice of the British Nation will furnish a Parliament of such wisdom, independence, and publick spirit, as may save the violated rights of the whole Empire from the devices of wicked Ministers and evil Counsellors, … thereby restore that harmony, friendship, and fraternal affection between all the inhabitants of his Majesty' s Kingdoms and Territories so ardently wished for by every true and honest American.



A good bit of property rights in this one, as well as "anti-Catholic propaganda. Plus a not-so-subtle reminder that Parliament and the Crown had come to blows in the English Civil War over whether the King needed Parliament to procure money or not.

 

[Tidewater]

And the address to the people of the colonies, also on October 21, 1774..

Memorial to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies

To the inhabitants of the colonies of NH, Mass, RI, Conn., NY, NJ, Penn., the counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Md., Vir., NC and SC [but interestingly not Ga.]:

Friends and fellow countrymen,

We, the Delegates … have …assembled, and taken into our most serious consideration the important matters recommended to the Congress. …

In every case of opposition by a people to their rulers, or of one state to another, duty to Almighty God, the creator of all, requires that a true and impartial judgment be formed of the measures leading to such opposition; and of the causes by which it has been provoked, or can in any degree be justified: … It may be enabled to take a dispassionate view of all circumstances, and settle the public conduct on the solid foundations of wisdom and justice. …

We have … considered those exertions, both of the legislative and executive power of Great-Britain, which have excited so much uneasiness in America, and have with equal fidelity and attention considered the conduct of the Colonies. …

Soon after the conclusion of the late war, there commenced a memorable change in the treatment of these Colonies … Great-Britain undertook to give and grant to his Majesty many rates and duties, to be paid in these Colonies. … The penalties and forfeitures incurred there are to be recovered in any of the King’s Courts of Record, at Westminster, or in the Court of Exchequer in Scotland; and … the penalties and forfeitures incurred here are to be recovered … in any Court of Admiralty, …

The Stamp Act, [was] passed … By this statute the British Parliament exercised, in the most explicit manner a power of taxing us, and extending the jurisdiction of the courts of Admiralty … A subsequent Act [the Declaratory Act], … declared, that “his Majesty in Parliament, of right, had power to bind the people of these Colonies, By Statutes, in all cases whatsoever.”…

[Through] the Glass, Paper and Tea Act, …the Commons … again undertook to “give and grant rates and duties to be paid in these Colonies,” …

Ever since the making the present peace, a standing army has been kept in these Colonies. …

The immediate tendency of these statutes is, to subvert the right of having a share in legislation, by rendering [colonial] Assemblies useless; the right of property, by taking the money of the Colonists without their consent; the right of trial by jury, … by rendering the Judges thereof totally dependent on the Crown for their salaries.

… for subjugating these Colonies, that are not, … represented in the House of Commons, to the uncontrollable and unlimited power of Parliament, …

Such was the conduct of the People of the Massachusetts-Bay, … that chiefly by their vigorous efforts, Nova-Scotia was subdued in 1710, and Louisbourg in 1745. …

It is well known … that the colonies were established, and have generally defended themselves, without the least assistance from Great-Britain; …

By an order of the King, the authority of the Commander in chief, and under him, of the Brigadiers general, in time of peace, is rendered supreme in all the civil governments, … A large body of troops and a considerable armament of ships of war, have been sent to assist in taking their money without their consent.

Expensive and oppressive offices have been multiplied. … The Commissioners of the customs are impowered to break open and enter houses without the authority of any civil magistrate … Judges of Courts of Common Law have been made entirely dependent on the Crown for their commissions and salaries. A court has been established at Rhode-Island, for the purposes of taking Colonists to England to be tried.

Humble and reasonable petitions from the Representatives of the people have been frequently treated with contempt; … The Earl of Hillsborough … censures the “presumption” of the House of Representatives for “resolving upon a measure of so inflammatory a nature as that of writing to the other colonies, on the subject of their intended representations against some late Acts of Parliament,” then declares that “his Majesty considers this step as evidently tending to create unwarrantable combinations to excite an unjustifiable opposition to the constitutional authority of Parliament:” … English Ministers … entered into a monopolizing combination with the East-India company, to send to this continent vast quantities of Tea, … That sent to Boston was destroyed, because Governor Hutchinson would not suffer it to be returned [to England]. …

No step however has been taken against any of the rest. This artful conduct conceals several designs. … It is hoped the other colonies will be so far intimidated as to desert their brethren, suffering in a common cause, and that thus disunited all may be subdued. …

The authors of this arbitrary arrangement flatter themselves, that the inhabitants, deprived of liberty, and artfully provoked against those of another religion, will be proper instruments for assisting in the oppression of such, as differ from them in modes of government and faith.

From the detail of facts herein before recited, … a resolution is formed, … to extinguish the freedom of these colonies, by subjecting them to a despotic government.

… It appeared to us a conduct becoming the character, … to perform, … every act of loyalty; and therefore, we were induced to offer once more to his Majesty the petitions of his faithful and oppressed subjects in America. … These provinces and that body, subsists the social band, which we ardently wish may never be dissolved, and which cannot be dissolved, until their minds shall become indisputably hostile, or their inattention shall permit those who are thus hostile to persist in prosecuting with the powers of the realm the destructive measures already operating against the colonists; … We have chosen a method of opposition, that does not preclude a hearty reconciliation with our fellow-citizens on the other side of the Atlantic. … We trust they will acquit us of any unkind intentions towards them, … and that we are contending for freedom, so often contended for by our ancestors. …

The commercial mode of opposition, … will prove efficacious, if it be persisted in with fidelity … Your own salvation, and that of your posterity, now depends upon yourselves. …
Above all things we earnestly intreat you, with devotion of spirit, penitence of heart, and amendment of life, to humble your-selves, and implore the favor of almighty God: and we fervently beseech his divine goodness, to take you into his gracious protection.


This displays a lot of concern with courts and where trials are heard, and who pays the judges' salaries. Also, a pervasive sense that ministers or Parliament are trying by sneaky means to reduce the colonists to slavery.

 

[Tidewater]

The First Continental Congress concluded on October 26, 1774 with a petition to King George III.


To the King's Most Excellent Majesty:

Most Gracious Sovereign: We, your Majesty's faithful subjects … beg leave to lay our Grievances before the Throne.

A Standing Army has been kept in these Colonies … without the consent of our Assemblies; …

The authority of the Commander-in-Chief … has, … been rendered supreme in all the Civil Governments in America.

The Commander-in-chief of all your Majesty's Forces in North America, has, in time of peace, been appointed Governour of a Colony. …

The Judges of Admiralty … are empowered to receive their salaries … from the effects condemned by themselves.

The Officers of the Customs are empowered to break open and enter houses, …

The Agents of the People [i.e. the legislators] have been discountenanced, and Governours have been instructed to prevent the payment of their salaries.

Assemblies have been … dissolved.

Commerce has been burthened with … restrictions. …

Duties are imposed on us for the purpose of raising a Revenue; … the trial by jury, in many civil cases, is abolished; …

Colonists may be tried in England for offences … in America, …

Persons charged … may be indicted and tried for the same in any Shire or County within the Realm, …

an Act was passed for blocking up the Harbour of Boston; …

The bare recital of these Acts must, we presume, justify the loyal subjects, who fly to the foot of his Throne, and implore his clemency for protection against them. …

To rescue and secure a pious and gallant Nation from the Popery and despotism of a superstitious and inexorable tyrant. …

A state of servitude … excites emotions in our breasts … we should not wish to conceal. …

We present this Petition only to obtain redress of Grievances, …

Permit us then, most gracious Sovereign, … to implore you, … that your Majesty, … will not suffer the transcendent relation formed by these ties to be farther violated, …

We therefore most earnestly beseech your Majesty, that your Royal authority and interposition may be used for our relief, and that a gracious Answer may be given to this Petition.



And with that, the scene passed to London.

 

[Tidewater]

I neglected to post this earlier, but the King and Parliament responded to the events in Massachusetts in November and December 1774.

The King's Speech

To both Houses of Parliament, on the 30th of November, 1774,

… a most daring spirit of resistance, and disobedience to the law still unhappily prevails in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and has in divers parts of it broke forth in violences of a very criminal nature. … I have taken such measures, … most proper and effectual for carrying into execution the laws which were passed in the last session of the late Parliaments the protection and security of the commerce of Subjects, and for the restoring and preserving order and good government, in the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay; and you may depend upon my firm and stedfast resolution to withstand every attempt to weaken or impair the supreme authority of this Legislature over all the dominions of my Crown; …


December 8. The HOUSE of COMMONS ADDRESS of THANKS to his MAJESTY, …

… we receive [gratefully]… the early information … of the state of the of the Massachusetts Bay.

“We feel the most sincere concern, that a spirit of disobedience and resistance to the law should still unhappily prevail in that province, and that it has broke forth in of a most criminal nature and we cannot that such proceedings should have been countenanced and encouraged in any other of your Majesty's Colonies; and that any of your subjects should have been so far deluded and misled, as to make rash and unwarrantable attempts to obstruct the commerce of your Majesty's kingdoms by unlawful combinations.

“We beg leave to present … thanks to your Majesty, for having taken such measures as your Majesty judged most proper and effectual, for carrying into execution the laws which were passed in the last session of the late Parliament, for the protection and security of the commerce of your Majesty's subjects and for restoring and preserving peace, order, and good government, in the province of the Massachusetts Bay.

“Your faithful Commons, … will use every means in their powerful your Majesty in maintaining and inviolate the supreme authority of this over all the dominions of your crowns … we … give our most zealous support to those great constitutional principles which govern your Majesty's conduct in this important business, and which is for essential to the dignity, safety and welfare of the British empire.


In other words, the colonial petitions were conciliatory, and the British response was a giant middle finger.