THE CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION October 18, 1774 @ Philadelphia

[Guest guest]

Hi Thor & Group

 

Apropos Thor's observation on the matter of American national unity before 1775, I contribute here a look at the productive results of the efforts of the FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS convened in Philadelphia on September 05, 1774.

 

From this confab followed the creation of the formally documented CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION. Agreement to the adoption of the resolution was reached before 4:00 pm on October 18, 1774. Two days later the printed document was signed.

 

All relevant pieces of the story follow here, below:

 

 

 

Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 1 AUGUST 1774 - AUGUST 1775Samuel Ward's Diary

[October 18,1774]

18th. Met, compleated the Association, read the Memorial to the People of England.MS (RHi)

 

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1774.

Congress resumed the consideration of the plan of association, & c. and after sundry amendments, the same was agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed, that it may be signed by the several members.

The Committee appointed to prepare an address to the people of Great-Britain, brought in a draught, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table, for the perusal of the members, & to be taken into consideration to-Morrow.

 

 

The American RevolutionFirst Continental Congress1774

The First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia's Carpenters Hall on September 5, 1774. The idea of such a meeting was advanced a year earlier by Benjamin Franklin, but failed to gain much support until after the Port of Boston was closed in response to the Boston Tea Party. Twelve of the 13 colonies sent delegates. Georgia decided against roiling the waters; they were facing attacks from the restive Creek on their borders and desperately needed the support of regular British soldiers. The Congress, which continued in session until late October, did not advocate independence; it sought rather to right the wrongs that had been inflicted on the colonies and hoped that a unified voice would gain them a hearing in London.

Some of the most prominent figures of the era were among the 55 delegates in attendance, including George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, John Jay and John Dickinson. They were mostly people of social standing and

made their livings from trade, farming and the law. Many were initially unknown to one another and vast differences existed on some of the issues, but important friendships flourished. Frequent dinners and gatherings were held and were attended by all except the spartan Sam Adams.

Major actions taken by the Congress included the following:

 

Galloway Plan of Union. The first order of business was consideration of Pennsylvania conservative Joseph Galloway's plan of union, which urged creation of an American parliament to act in concert with the existing British body. On matters relating to America, each was to have veto power over the other's actions. Galloway was attempting to reconcile the simmering differences held by England and America. Opinion on this proposal was sharply divided.

Suffolk Resolves. Before the Galloway proposal could be decided, Paul Revere rode into town bearing the Suffolk Resolves, a series of political statements that had been forwarded to Philadelphia by a number of Boston-area communities. The resulting discussion further polarized the Congress. The radical elements eventually gained the upper hand; a majority of the colonies voted to endorse the Resolves and against

Galloway's plan.

The Association. The Congress next adopted the Continental Association, or simply, the Association, which established a total boycott by means of non-importation, non-exportation and non-consumption accords. These agreements were to be enforced by a group of committees in each community, which would publish the names of merchants defying the boycott, confiscate contraband and

encourage public frugality.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances. The Congress composed a statement of American complaints. It was addressed to King George III, to whom the delegates remained loyal, and pointedly not to Parliament. The radical elements were critical of the Declaration because it conceded the right of Parliament to regulate colonial trade, a traditional view long held by most Americans, but one that was losing favor in the mid-1770s.

Future Meeting. Finally the Congress agreed to convene the following spring if colonial complaints had not been properly addressed. That meeting, the Second Continental Congress, was indeed called in May 1775 in the wake of the battles of Lexington and Concord.

The First Continental Congress was regarded as a success by both the general public and the delegates. The latter, despite heated and frequent disagreements, had come to understand the problems and aspirations of people living in other colonies. Many of the friendships forged there would make easier the gargantuan task of governing the new nation in the coming years.

 

 

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1774.

The Congress met.

The association being copied, was read and signed at the table, and is as follows:--

Here insert the Association.

We, his majesty's most loyal subjects, the delegates of the several colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, deputed to represent them in a continental Congress, held in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th day of September, 1774, avowing our allegiance to his majesty, our affection and regard for our fellow-subjects in Great-Britain and elsewhere, affected with the deepest anxiety, and most alarming apprehensions, at those grievances and distresses, with 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 occasioned by a ruinous system of colony administration, adopted by the British ministry about the year 1763, evidently calculated for inslaving these colonies, and, with them, the British empire. In prosecution of which system, various acts of parliament have been passed, for raising a revenue in America, for depriving the American subjects, in many instances, of the constitutional trial by jury, exposing their lives to danger, by directing a new and illegal trial beyond the seas, for crimes alleged to have been committed in America: and in prosecution of the same system, several late, cruel, and oppressive acts have been passed, respecting the town of Boston and the Massachusetts-Bay, and also an act for extending the province of Quebec, so as to border on the western frontiers of these colonies, establishing an arbitrary government therein, and

discouraging the settlement of British subjects in that wide extended country; thus, by the influence of civil principles and ancient prejudices, to dispose the inhabitants to act with hostility against the free Protestant colonies, whenever a wicked ministry shall chuse so to direct them.

To obtain redress of these grievances, which threaten destruction to the lives, liberty, and property of his majesty's subjects, in North America, we are of opinion, that a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement, faithfully adhered to, will prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable measure: and, therefore, we do, for ourselves, and the inhabitants of the several colonies, whom we represent, 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, or from any other place, any such goods, wares, or merchandise, as shall have been exported from Great-Britain or Ireland; nor will we, after that day, import any East-India tea from any part of the world; nor any molasses, syrups, paneles,1

[Note 1: 1 Brown unpurified sugar.]

coffee, or pimento, from the British plantations or from Dominica; nor wines from Madeira, or the Western Islands; nor foreign indigo.

 

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

[Note 2: 2 In the pamphlet edition this sentence reads: "That we will neither import, nor purchase any slave imported, after the first day of December next."]

after which time, we will wholly discontinue the slave trade, and will neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our vessels, nor sell our commodities or manufactures to those who are concerned in it.

 

3. As a non-consumption agreement, strictly adhered to, will be an effectual security for the observation of the non-importation, we, as above, solemnly agree and associate, that, from this day, we will not purchase or use any tea, imported on account of the East-India company, or any on which a duty hath been or shall be paid; and from and after the first day of March next, we will not purchase or use any East-India tea whatever; nor will we, nor shall any person for or under us, purchase or use any of those goods, wares, or merchandise, we have agreed not to import, which we shall know, or have cause to suspect, were imported after the first day of December, except such as come under the rules and directions of the tenth article hereafter mentioned.

 

4. The earnest desire we have, not to injure our fellow-subjects in Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, induces us to suspend a non-exportation, until the tenth day of September, 1775; at which time, if the said acts and parts of acts of the British parliament herein after mentioned are not repealed, we will not, directly or indirectly, export any merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, except rice to Europe.3

[Note 3: 3 See Journals of Congress, 1 August, 1775, post.]

 

5. Such as are merchants, and use the British and Irish trade, will give orders, as soon as possible, to their factors, agents and correspondents, in Great-Britain and Ireland, not to ship any goods to them, on any pretence whatsoever, as they cannot be received in America; and if any merchant, residing in Great-Britain or Ireland, shall directly or indirectly ship any goods, wares or merchandise, for America, in order to break the said non-importation agreement, or in any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy conduct being well attested, it ought to be made public; and, on the same being so

we will not, from thenceforth, have any commercial connexion with such merchant.

 

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, on pain of immediate dismission from their service.

7. We will use our utmost endeavours to improve the breed of sheep, and increase their number to the greatest extent; and to that end, we will kill them as seldom1

[Note 1: 1 The pamphlet says sparingly.]

as may be, especially those of the most profitable kind; nor will we export any to the West-Indies or elsewhere; and those of us, who are or may become overstocked with, or can conveniently spare any sheep, will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially to the poorer sort, on moderate terms.

8. We will, in our several stations, encourage frugality, economy, and industry, and promote agriculture, arts and the manufactures of this country, especially that of wool; and will discountenance and discourage every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially all horse-racing, and all kinds of gaming, cock-fighting, exhibitions of shews, plays, and other expensive diversions and entertainments; and on the death of any relation or friend, none of us, or any of our families, will go into any further mourning-dress, than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat, for gentlemen, and a black ribbon and necklace for ladies, and we will discontinue the giving of gloves and scarves at funerals.

 

9. Such as are venders of goods or merchandise will not take advantage of the scarcity of goods, that may be occasioned by this association, but will sell the same at the rates we have been respectively accustomed to do, for twelve months last past.--And if any vender of goods or merchandise shall sell any such goods on higher terms, or shall, in any manner, or by any device whatsoever violate or depart from this agreement, no person ought, nor will any of us deal with any such person, or his or her factor or agent, at any time thereafter, for any commodity whatever.

10. In case any merchant, trader, or other person,2

[Note 2: 2 Persons is used in the pamphlet.]

shall import any goods or merchandise, after the first day of December, and before the first day of February next, the same ought forthwith, at the election of the owner, to be either re-shipped or delivered up to the committee of the county or town, wherein they shall be imported, to be stored at the risque of the importer, until the non-importation agreement shall cease, or be sold under the direction of the committee aforesaid; and in the last-mentioned case, the owner or owners of such goods shall be reimbursed out of the sales, the first cost and charges, 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; and a particular account of all goods so returned, stored, or sold, to be inserted in the public papers; and if any goods or merchandises shall be imported after the said first day of February, the same ought forthwith to be sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof.

 

11. That a committee be chosen in every county, city, and town, by those who are qualified to vote for representatives in the legislature, whose business it shall be attentively to observe the conduct of all persons touching this association; and when it shall be made to appear, to the satisfaction of a majority of any such committee, that any person within the limits of their appointment has violated this association, that such majority do forthwith cause the truth of the case to be published in the gazette; to the end, that all such foes to the rights of British-America may be publicly known, and universally contemned as the enemies of American liberty; 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 custom-houses, and inform each other, from time to time, of the true state thereof, and of every other material circumstance that may occur relative to this association.

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 we do further agree and resolve, that we will have no trade, commerce, dealings or intercourse whatsoever, with any colony or province, in North-America, which shall not accede to, or which shall hereafter violate this association, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, and as inimical to the liberties of their country.

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 passed since the close of the last war, as impose or continue duties on tea, wine, molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee, sugar, pimento, indigo, foreign paper, glass, and painters' colours, imported into America, and extend the powers of the admiralty courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American subject of trial by jury, authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages, that he might otherwise be liable to from a trial by his peers, require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or goods seized, before he shall be

allowed to defend his property, are repealed.--And until that part of the act of the 12 G. 3. ch. 24, entitled "An act for the better securing his majesty's dock-yards, magazines, ships, ammunition, and stores," by which any persons charged with committing any of the offences therein described, in America, may be tried in any shire or county within the realm, is repealed--and until the four acts, passed the last session of parliament, viz. that for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour of Boston--that for altering the charter and government of the Massachusetts-Bay--and that which is entitled "An act for the better administration of justice, & c."--and that "for extending the limits of Quebec, & c." 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.

The foregoing association being determined upon by the Congress, was ordered to be d by the several members thereof; and thereupon, we have hereunto set our respective names accordingly.

In Congress, Philadelphia, October 20, 1774.

Signed,Peyton Randolph, President.

New Hampshire

 

Jno. Sullivan

Nathel. Folsom

Massachusetts Bay

 

Thomas Cushing

Saml. Adams

John Adams

Robt.Treat Paine

Rhode Island

 

Step. Hopkins

Sam: Ward

Connecticut

 

Elipht Dyer

Roger Sherman

Silas Deane

New York

 

Isaac Low

John Alsop

John Jay

Jas. Duane

Phil. Livingston

Wm. Floyd

Henry Wisner

S: Boerum

New Jersey

 

J. Kinsey

Wil: Livingston

Stepn. Crane

Richd. Smith

John De Hart

Pennsylvania

 

Jos. Galloway

John Dickinson

Cha Humphreys

Thomas Mifflin

E. Biddle

John Morton

Geo: Ross

The Lower Counties New Castle

 

Cæsar Rodney

Tho. M: Kean

Geo: Read

Maryland

 

Mat Tilghman"

Ths. Johnson Junr.

Wm. Paca

Samuel Chase

 

 

 

Unnumbered Page | Page image

 

 

 

Unnumbered Page | Page imageADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAINFIRST ISSUETO THEPEOPLE OF GREAT-BRITAIN,FROM THEDELEGATES,Appointed by the feveral English Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusett's-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-york, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, The Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to consider of their Grievances in General Congress, at Philadelphia, September 5th, 1774.Friends, and Fellow Subjects,WHEN a

Nation, led to greatnefs by the hand of Liberty, and poffeffed of all the glory that heroifm, munificence, and humanity can beftow, defcends to the ungrateful talk of forging chains for her Friends and Children, and inftead of giving fupport to Freedom, turns advocate for Slavery and Opprefffion, there is reafon to fufpect fhe has either ceafed to be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in the appointment of her rulers.A In

 

 

 

Page 81 | Page image

Virginia

 

Richard Henry Lee

Go. Washington

P. Henry Jr.

Richard Bland

Benja. Harrison

Edmd. Pendleton

North Carolina

 

Will Hooper

Joseph Hewes

Rd. Caswell

South Carolina.

 

Henry Middleton

Tho Lynch

Christ Gadsden

J Rutledge

Edward Rutledge1

[Note 1: 1 In Force's Archives, First Series, vol. I. is reproduced in facsimile the last page of the original association, with the signatures. Only the last and formal paragraph "The foregoing association & c." and the names of the Colonies are in the writing of Charles Thomson. In the printed editions of the Journals the date of the association differs. In the first issue of the Association, printed probably on October 21, the date is correctly given; but in the first edition of the Journals October 24th is assigned, and this error has been followed in the subsequent editions.Copies of the original were printed, and a few were signed by the members of the Congress. One such copy is in the

Lenox Library, New York, and bears the name of the owner, Richard Smith, and the probable date on which the signatures were obtained "October 22d 1774." A note in Smith's writing at the end reads:-- "memo Patrick Henry Junr & Edmund Pendleton Esqrs. signed the Original Association but were absent at the signing of this--Messrs Philip Livingston, John Haring, John D'Hart, Samuel Rhoads, Geo. Ross and Rob: Goldsborough did not sign the original, being then absent--Cæsar Rodney Esqr. was absent at the Time of signing the

Original, but his name was written by his Order." A second copy of the Association, signed, is in the Pennsylvania Historical Society.]

 

Ordered, that this association be committed to the press, and that one hundred & twenty copies be struck off.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of the Address to the Inhabitants of these colonies, & after debate thereon, adjourned till to-morro

 

Win a castle for NYE with your mates and Messenger