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Domestic News
February 17, 1774
The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
On February 3, 1774, Falmouth townspeople held a meeting, electing a moderator and committee to respond to Boston's correspondence. They adopted resolutions denouncing British taxes without consent, especially the Tea Act, vowing to boycott tea and support continental opposition to parliamentary overreach.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the Falmouth town meeting resolves and proceedings.
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WEDNESDAY, February 16. BOSTON.
" AT a legal meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of FALMOUTH, qualified by law to vote in town-meetings, held on the third day of February, 1774 ; the selectmen being all present,
" Jedediah Preble, Esq; was first chosen Moderator.
" Then Voted, 1st. That Jedediah Preble, Esq; Mr. Richard Codman, Captain John Waite, Enoch Freeman, Esq; Mr. Benjamin Winslow, Mr. John Butler, and Mr. Samuel Freeman, be a committee, to make answer to the several letters, received from the committee of correspondence in Boston.
the town, then retired, and soon after, returned with the following report, which the town voted should be accepted and recorded, viz.
" The committee chosen by this town, to make answer to the letters received from the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston, report, that they would recommend the following to be sent to the said committee of correspondence in Boston, as an answer to their letters, viz.
" Falmouth, February 3d, 1774.
" The inhabitants of the said town of Falmouth, being this day legally assembled, for the consideration of the present alarming circumstances of public affairs, have thought it their duty to express their sentiments thereon, in manner following, viz.
That having too patiently waited a long time, in hopes that the Governor would join the other branches of the legislature, in petitioning the King for a redress of American grievances, we find it now in vain still to hope or expect any relief, through his means.
Having therefore considered seriously and attentively, the general opposition throughout the continent, to some late acts of parliament, which lay taxes on us for the purpose of raising a revenue from us without our consent, or opportunity of deliberating on the expediency thereof, we think it a duty, which we owe our fellow countrymen, and our posterity, to declare our sense and opinion, in a matter which so highly concerns the welfare of the present generation, and the happiness of our children yet unborn.
First then we declare it as our opinion, that neither the parliament of Great-Britain, nor any other power on earth, has a right to lay a tax on us, but by our own consent, or the consent of those whom we may choose to represent us : This is one of the most important articles of the glorious Magna Charta, the liberties of which we have a right inviolably to enjoy, and it is not only agreeable to the laws of God and nature but it is interwoven in the constitution of the human mind.
In parliament we have none to represent us, and the great distance of Great-Britain, which is separated from this continent by a vast and hazardous ocean, renders it impossible that we ever can,either in reason or equity : But to prevent the inconvenience, which this want of representation would subject us to, we have by compact yet unbroken, by a charter which our fore-fathers purchased for us, a parliament of our own ; or rather a supreme provincial court, in which we are equally represented ; and to whose laws alone, under obedience to the laws of God,ought we to be subservient.
No man can serve two masters. To be subject to two legislative powers, renders us liable to a double subserviency, which the nature of government does not require.
A corrupt and disaffected ministry, have hitherto attempted to enslave us, "by endeavouring to bring us to submit to acts of parliament, which they, and some of our enemies, adders in our bosom, had unjustly planned ; and of which the late formidable stamp-act, was a manifest instance : This has happily been repealed : But now, still determined to execute their mischievous scheme, they have let loose the monstrous East-India company upon us to devour us; who have begun their baneful commission, by endeavouring to wash down the fatal pill, with the bewitching, the unsalutary BOHEA TEA, which they have sent out in large quantities to the different cities and principal towns on the continent, to allure us with its gilded bait : And here we cannot help expressing our resentment against some of our own countrymen, who have been edging on those deep laid schemes.
What encouragement must it give our enemies in Britain, when they find that men, born and educated among us, have spoken enmity against us, and endeavoured to represent us as rebels, and disaffected subjects.
We believe ourselves to be as loyal subjects to his most gracious Majesty King George the third, as any in his European dominions. To him we own our firm allegiance, and his crown will we maintain to our latest breath ; nor do we desire to live free from the· restraints of good government ; we detest anarchy and confusion ; but, we say it again; we cannot think it just to be subject to the controul of a parliament, three thousand miles distant from us, who never can, either reasonably hear, or thoroughly be acquainted with, the situation of our affairs.
It is with deep concern and uneasiness, that we find ourselves reduced to this· unhappy alternative, either to resist or yield. If we yield, we own the power that oppresses us, and must forever submit to its despotic sway : If we resist, we oppose the same oppressive power, and must exert our resolutions with unremitted ardour, for our own security.
If we yield we detach body of our fellow countrymen, and must endure their just reproaches; we must suffer the evils, which a servile submission will bring on us and our posterity, and convey the brand of infamy and shame, to succeeding generations.
We are therefore constrained, by the sacred obligations of patriotism, self-preservation, and the tender ties of filial affection, to join our brethren of the several towns on the continent, in opposing the operation of these encroaching acts.
Nature dictates, reason directs, and conscience obliges us to support our freedom; our happiness depends upon it ; our cause is just, and we doubt not fully consonant to the will of God ; in him therefore let us put our trust ; let our hearts be obedient to the dictates of his sovereign will ; and let our hands and hearts be always ready to unite in zeal for the common good, and transmit to our children, that sacred freedom which our fathers have transmitted to us, and which they purchased for us with their purest blood.
"We therefore further resolve.
" 1st. That we will not suffer to be imported from Great-Britain to this town, any articles whatever, on which the parliament has laid a duty, with the purpose of raising a revenue from us without our consent.
"2dly. That we will have no dealings or correspondence with any person who may wilfully promote, either directly or indirectly, the operation of such arbitrary acts.
"3dly. That it is the opinion of this town, that one of the most effectual means for obtaining a redress of our grievances, is for every town to make proof of their virtue, by desisting from the use of all India teas.
" Therefore, 4thly. Resolved, That whoever shall endeavour to allure the minds of the people, by any means whatever, to use India tea until the act imposing a duty thereon is repealed, is pursuing measures in direct opposition to that freedom which the whole continent are at this time contending for, and evidently proves, how little they are concerned, if all America are enslaved, if they can but thereby enrich themselves.
Therefore, 5thly. Resolved, That we will not buy or sell any India tea whatever after this third day of February, until the act which lays a duty thereon, is repealed ; and will hold in detestation, every person who shall aim to counteract the designs of the town in this respect.
" 6thly. RESOLVED, That as we are at a great distance from Boston, the metropolis of the province, and cannot have so early intelligence of encroachments upon our rights, as they have, we do acknowledge our obligations to them, for their early notice of approaching danger, and for their intrepid behaviour upon the late tea ships arrival ; and we trust they will still be our WATCH-TOWER, and they may depend on our utmost endeavours, to support them at all times, in defence of our rights and liberties.
Then, VOTED, 2dly. That the said committee of correspondence, be a standing committee to correspond with the committee of correspondence for the town of Boston.
VOTED, 3dly. That the selectmen of this town be a committee of inspection, whose business it shall be, to observe if any persons buy or sell tea, contrary to the resolves of this town, and to make report thereof to the committee of correspondence.
" VOTED, 4thly, That the selectmen be. and hereby are desired, to withhold their approbation for licence for retailing or tavern-keeping, to such person or persons, who may presume to buy or sell tea, contrary to the aforesaid resolves.
Voted, 5thly. That Mr. Benjamin Musy, Mr. Robert Pagan, and Mr. Enoch Moody, be a committee to enquire what quantity of tea is in town, of what quality, in whose hands it is, and when imported ; and make report thereof at the annual meeting in March next.
" Voted, 6thly. That a copy of these proceedings be, by the Town-Clerk transmitted to the committee of correspondence in Boston.
A true copy. Attest.
" Nat. Green Moody, Town-Clerk."
" AT a legal meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of FALMOUTH, qualified by law to vote in town-meetings, held on the third day of February, 1774 ; the selectmen being all present,
" Jedediah Preble, Esq; was first chosen Moderator.
" Then Voted, 1st. That Jedediah Preble, Esq; Mr. Richard Codman, Captain John Waite, Enoch Freeman, Esq; Mr. Benjamin Winslow, Mr. John Butler, and Mr. Samuel Freeman, be a committee, to make answer to the several letters, received from the committee of correspondence in Boston.
the town, then retired, and soon after, returned with the following report, which the town voted should be accepted and recorded, viz.
" The committee chosen by this town, to make answer to the letters received from the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston, report, that they would recommend the following to be sent to the said committee of correspondence in Boston, as an answer to their letters, viz.
" Falmouth, February 3d, 1774.
" The inhabitants of the said town of Falmouth, being this day legally assembled, for the consideration of the present alarming circumstances of public affairs, have thought it their duty to express their sentiments thereon, in manner following, viz.
That having too patiently waited a long time, in hopes that the Governor would join the other branches of the legislature, in petitioning the King for a redress of American grievances, we find it now in vain still to hope or expect any relief, through his means.
Having therefore considered seriously and attentively, the general opposition throughout the continent, to some late acts of parliament, which lay taxes on us for the purpose of raising a revenue from us without our consent, or opportunity of deliberating on the expediency thereof, we think it a duty, which we owe our fellow countrymen, and our posterity, to declare our sense and opinion, in a matter which so highly concerns the welfare of the present generation, and the happiness of our children yet unborn.
First then we declare it as our opinion, that neither the parliament of Great-Britain, nor any other power on earth, has a right to lay a tax on us, but by our own consent, or the consent of those whom we may choose to represent us : This is one of the most important articles of the glorious Magna Charta, the liberties of which we have a right inviolably to enjoy, and it is not only agreeable to the laws of God and nature but it is interwoven in the constitution of the human mind.
In parliament we have none to represent us, and the great distance of Great-Britain, which is separated from this continent by a vast and hazardous ocean, renders it impossible that we ever can,either in reason or equity : But to prevent the inconvenience, which this want of representation would subject us to, we have by compact yet unbroken, by a charter which our fore-fathers purchased for us, a parliament of our own ; or rather a supreme provincial court, in which we are equally represented ; and to whose laws alone, under obedience to the laws of God,ought we to be subservient.
No man can serve two masters. To be subject to two legislative powers, renders us liable to a double subserviency, which the nature of government does not require.
A corrupt and disaffected ministry, have hitherto attempted to enslave us, "by endeavouring to bring us to submit to acts of parliament, which they, and some of our enemies, adders in our bosom, had unjustly planned ; and of which the late formidable stamp-act, was a manifest instance : This has happily been repealed : But now, still determined to execute their mischievous scheme, they have let loose the monstrous East-India company upon us to devour us; who have begun their baneful commission, by endeavouring to wash down the fatal pill, with the bewitching, the unsalutary BOHEA TEA, which they have sent out in large quantities to the different cities and principal towns on the continent, to allure us with its gilded bait : And here we cannot help expressing our resentment against some of our own countrymen, who have been edging on those deep laid schemes.
What encouragement must it give our enemies in Britain, when they find that men, born and educated among us, have spoken enmity against us, and endeavoured to represent us as rebels, and disaffected subjects.
We believe ourselves to be as loyal subjects to his most gracious Majesty King George the third, as any in his European dominions. To him we own our firm allegiance, and his crown will we maintain to our latest breath ; nor do we desire to live free from the· restraints of good government ; we detest anarchy and confusion ; but, we say it again; we cannot think it just to be subject to the controul of a parliament, three thousand miles distant from us, who never can, either reasonably hear, or thoroughly be acquainted with, the situation of our affairs.
It is with deep concern and uneasiness, that we find ourselves reduced to this· unhappy alternative, either to resist or yield. If we yield, we own the power that oppresses us, and must forever submit to its despotic sway : If we resist, we oppose the same oppressive power, and must exert our resolutions with unremitted ardour, for our own security.
If we yield we detach body of our fellow countrymen, and must endure their just reproaches; we must suffer the evils, which a servile submission will bring on us and our posterity, and convey the brand of infamy and shame, to succeeding generations.
We are therefore constrained, by the sacred obligations of patriotism, self-preservation, and the tender ties of filial affection, to join our brethren of the several towns on the continent, in opposing the operation of these encroaching acts.
Nature dictates, reason directs, and conscience obliges us to support our freedom; our happiness depends upon it ; our cause is just, and we doubt not fully consonant to the will of God ; in him therefore let us put our trust ; let our hearts be obedient to the dictates of his sovereign will ; and let our hands and hearts be always ready to unite in zeal for the common good, and transmit to our children, that sacred freedom which our fathers have transmitted to us, and which they purchased for us with their purest blood.
"We therefore further resolve.
" 1st. That we will not suffer to be imported from Great-Britain to this town, any articles whatever, on which the parliament has laid a duty, with the purpose of raising a revenue from us without our consent.
"2dly. That we will have no dealings or correspondence with any person who may wilfully promote, either directly or indirectly, the operation of such arbitrary acts.
"3dly. That it is the opinion of this town, that one of the most effectual means for obtaining a redress of our grievances, is for every town to make proof of their virtue, by desisting from the use of all India teas.
" Therefore, 4thly. Resolved, That whoever shall endeavour to allure the minds of the people, by any means whatever, to use India tea until the act imposing a duty thereon is repealed, is pursuing measures in direct opposition to that freedom which the whole continent are at this time contending for, and evidently proves, how little they are concerned, if all America are enslaved, if they can but thereby enrich themselves.
Therefore, 5thly. Resolved, That we will not buy or sell any India tea whatever after this third day of February, until the act which lays a duty thereon, is repealed ; and will hold in detestation, every person who shall aim to counteract the designs of the town in this respect.
" 6thly. RESOLVED, That as we are at a great distance from Boston, the metropolis of the province, and cannot have so early intelligence of encroachments upon our rights, as they have, we do acknowledge our obligations to them, for their early notice of approaching danger, and for their intrepid behaviour upon the late tea ships arrival ; and we trust they will still be our WATCH-TOWER, and they may depend on our utmost endeavours, to support them at all times, in defence of our rights and liberties.
Then, VOTED, 2dly. That the said committee of correspondence, be a standing committee to correspond with the committee of correspondence for the town of Boston.
VOTED, 3dly. That the selectmen of this town be a committee of inspection, whose business it shall be, to observe if any persons buy or sell tea, contrary to the resolves of this town, and to make report thereof to the committee of correspondence.
" VOTED, 4thly, That the selectmen be. and hereby are desired, to withhold their approbation for licence for retailing or tavern-keeping, to such person or persons, who may presume to buy or sell tea, contrary to the aforesaid resolves.
Voted, 5thly. That Mr. Benjamin Musy, Mr. Robert Pagan, and Mr. Enoch Moody, be a committee to enquire what quantity of tea is in town, of what quality, in whose hands it is, and when imported ; and make report thereof at the annual meeting in March next.
" Voted, 6thly. That a copy of these proceedings be, by the Town-Clerk transmitted to the committee of correspondence in Boston.
A true copy. Attest.
" Nat. Green Moody, Town-Clerk."
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Falmouth Meeting
Tea Boycott
Taxation Opposition
Committee Correspondence
Boston Support
Parliament Acts
What entities or persons were involved?
Jedediah Preble
Richard Codman
John Waite
Enoch Freeman
Benjamin Winslow
John Butler
Samuel Freeman
Benjamin Musy
Robert Pagan
Enoch Moody
Nat. Green Moody
Where did it happen?
Falmouth
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Falmouth
Event Date
February 3d, 1774
Key Persons
Jedediah Preble
Richard Codman
John Waite
Enoch Freeman
Benjamin Winslow
John Butler
Samuel Freeman
Benjamin Musy
Robert Pagan
Enoch Moody
Nat. Green Moody
Outcome
resolutions passed to oppose british taxes, boycott tea, form standing committees for correspondence and inspection, and deny licenses to tea sellers.
Event Details
Legal town meeting in Falmouth where inhabitants assembled to consider public affairs, elected a moderator and committee to respond to Boston's letters, and adopted a detailed declaration against taxation without representation, resolutions to boycott imported dutiable goods especially tea, and measures to enforce compliance including committees and license restrictions.