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Story
January 20, 1775
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Proceedings of the First Continental Congress in October 1774, detailing committee appointments for non-importation resolutions, preparation of a loyal address to King George III addressing colonial grievances, instructions on colonial self-sufficiency, and debate on Boston's fortification by British forces.
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Continental Congress continu'd
Ordered, That Mr. Cushing, Mr. Low, Mr. Mifflin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Johnson be a committee to bring in a plan for carrying into effect, the non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation resolved on.
Saturday, October 1st, 1774.
Simon Boerum, Esq; appeared in congress as deputy from King's county in the colony of New York, and produced the credentials of his election, which being read & approved, he took his seat as delegate for that colony:
The congress resuming the consideration of the means, &c. upon motion,
Resolved unanimously,
That a loyal address to his Majesty be prepared, dutifully requesting the royal attention to the grievances that alarm & distress his Majesty's faithful subjects in North America, and entreating his Majesty's gracious interposition for the removal of such grievances, thereby to restore between Great Britain and the colonies, that harmony so necessary to the happiness of the British empire, and so ardently desired by all British America.
Agreed, That Mr. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Henry, and Mr. J. Rutledge, be a committee to prepare a draught of an address to his Majesty.
Monday, October 3d, 1774.
The congress met according to adjournment, and after some debate.
Resolved unanimously,
That it be an instruction to the committee, who are appointed to draw up an address to the KING, "Whereas parliamentary taxes in America have been laid, on pretence of defraying the expences of government, and supporting the administration of justice, and defending, protecting and securing the colonies:" that they do assure his Majesty, that the colonies have or will make ample provision for defraying all the necessary expences of supporting government, and the due administration of justice in the respective colonies; that the militia, if put upon a proper footing, would be amply sufficient for their defence in time of peace, that they are desirous to put it on such a footing immediately, and that in case of war, the colonies are ready to grant supplies for raising any further forces that may be necessary.
The remainder of the day and the day following were taken up in deliberating & debating on matters proper to be contained in the address to his Majesty.
Wednesday, October 5th, 1774:
The congress resumed the consideration of the subject in debate yesterday, and after some time spent thereon, Resolved,
That the committee appointed to prepare an address to his Majesty, be instructed to assure his Majesty that in case the colonies shall be restored to the state they were in, at the close of the late war, by abolishing the system of laws and regulations,--for raising a revenue in America,--for extending the powers of courts of admiralty, for the trial of persons beyond Sea for crimes committed in America, for affecting the colony of Massachusetts Bay,--and for altering the government and extending the limits of Canada. the jealousies which have been occasioned by such acts and regulations of parliament, will be removed and commerce again restored.
An address from William Goddard, to the congress, was read and ordered to lie on the Table.
Thursday, October 6th, 1774.
The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed the consideration of the means proper to be used for a restoration of American rights. During the debate an express from Boston arrived with a letter from the committee of correspondence dated the 29th of September, which was laid before the congress:
In this the committee inform the congress, that they "expected some regard would have been paid to the petitions presented to their Governor, against fortifying their town in such a manner as can be accounted for only upon the supposition that the town & country are to be treated by the soldiery as declared enemies--that the encroachments upon the neck are nearly completed--that cannon are mounted at the entrance of the town--that it is currently reported that fortifications are to be erected on Corn's-hill, Beacon hill, and Fort-hill, &c.. so that the fortifications with the ships in the harbour, may absolutely command every avenue to the town both by sea and land; that a number of cannon the property of a private gentleman were a few days ago seized & taken from his wharf by the order of the general--that from several circumstances mentioned in the letter, there is reason to apprehend that Boston is to be made and kept a garrisoned town--that from all they can learn from Britain, administration is resolved to do all in their power to force them to a submission--that when the town is enclosed it is apprehended the inhabitants will be held as hostages for the submission of the country, they apply therefore to the congress for advice how to act--that if the congress advise to quit the town--they obey--if it is judged that by maintaining their ground they can better serve the public cause they will not shrink from hardship and danger--finally that as the late acts of parliament have made it impossible that there should be a due administration of justice, and all law therefore must be suspended--that as the Governor has by proclamation prevented the meeting of the general court--they therefore request the advice of the congress."
Ordered, That this letter be taken into consideration to morrow morning.
The congress then resumed the consideration of the means, &c.
Resolved, That the committee appointed to prepare the form of an association be directed to adopt the following clause viz.-
That from and after the 1st of December next, no Molasses, Coffee, or Pimento from the British Plantations, or from Dominica, or Wines from Madeira, & the Western Islands or foreign Indigo be imported into these colonies.
[ To be continu'd ]
Ordered, That Mr. Cushing, Mr. Low, Mr. Mifflin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Johnson be a committee to bring in a plan for carrying into effect, the non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation resolved on.
Saturday, October 1st, 1774.
Simon Boerum, Esq; appeared in congress as deputy from King's county in the colony of New York, and produced the credentials of his election, which being read & approved, he took his seat as delegate for that colony:
The congress resuming the consideration of the means, &c. upon motion,
Resolved unanimously,
That a loyal address to his Majesty be prepared, dutifully requesting the royal attention to the grievances that alarm & distress his Majesty's faithful subjects in North America, and entreating his Majesty's gracious interposition for the removal of such grievances, thereby to restore between Great Britain and the colonies, that harmony so necessary to the happiness of the British empire, and so ardently desired by all British America.
Agreed, That Mr. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Henry, and Mr. J. Rutledge, be a committee to prepare a draught of an address to his Majesty.
Monday, October 3d, 1774.
The congress met according to adjournment, and after some debate.
Resolved unanimously,
That it be an instruction to the committee, who are appointed to draw up an address to the KING, "Whereas parliamentary taxes in America have been laid, on pretence of defraying the expences of government, and supporting the administration of justice, and defending, protecting and securing the colonies:" that they do assure his Majesty, that the colonies have or will make ample provision for defraying all the necessary expences of supporting government, and the due administration of justice in the respective colonies; that the militia, if put upon a proper footing, would be amply sufficient for their defence in time of peace, that they are desirous to put it on such a footing immediately, and that in case of war, the colonies are ready to grant supplies for raising any further forces that may be necessary.
The remainder of the day and the day following were taken up in deliberating & debating on matters proper to be contained in the address to his Majesty.
Wednesday, October 5th, 1774:
The congress resumed the consideration of the subject in debate yesterday, and after some time spent thereon, Resolved,
That the committee appointed to prepare an address to his Majesty, be instructed to assure his Majesty that in case the colonies shall be restored to the state they were in, at the close of the late war, by abolishing the system of laws and regulations,--for raising a revenue in America,--for extending the powers of courts of admiralty, for the trial of persons beyond Sea for crimes committed in America, for affecting the colony of Massachusetts Bay,--and for altering the government and extending the limits of Canada. the jealousies which have been occasioned by such acts and regulations of parliament, will be removed and commerce again restored.
An address from William Goddard, to the congress, was read and ordered to lie on the Table.
Thursday, October 6th, 1774.
The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed the consideration of the means proper to be used for a restoration of American rights. During the debate an express from Boston arrived with a letter from the committee of correspondence dated the 29th of September, which was laid before the congress:
In this the committee inform the congress, that they "expected some regard would have been paid to the petitions presented to their Governor, against fortifying their town in such a manner as can be accounted for only upon the supposition that the town & country are to be treated by the soldiery as declared enemies--that the encroachments upon the neck are nearly completed--that cannon are mounted at the entrance of the town--that it is currently reported that fortifications are to be erected on Corn's-hill, Beacon hill, and Fort-hill, &c.. so that the fortifications with the ships in the harbour, may absolutely command every avenue to the town both by sea and land; that a number of cannon the property of a private gentleman were a few days ago seized & taken from his wharf by the order of the general--that from several circumstances mentioned in the letter, there is reason to apprehend that Boston is to be made and kept a garrisoned town--that from all they can learn from Britain, administration is resolved to do all in their power to force them to a submission--that when the town is enclosed it is apprehended the inhabitants will be held as hostages for the submission of the country, they apply therefore to the congress for advice how to act--that if the congress advise to quit the town--they obey--if it is judged that by maintaining their ground they can better serve the public cause they will not shrink from hardship and danger--finally that as the late acts of parliament have made it impossible that there should be a due administration of justice, and all law therefore must be suspended--that as the Governor has by proclamation prevented the meeting of the general court--they therefore request the advice of the congress."
Ordered, That this letter be taken into consideration to morrow morning.
The congress then resumed the consideration of the means, &c.
Resolved, That the committee appointed to prepare the form of an association be directed to adopt the following clause viz.-
That from and after the 1st of December next, no Molasses, Coffee, or Pimento from the British Plantations, or from Dominica, or Wines from Madeira, & the Western Islands or foreign Indigo be imported into these colonies.
[ To be continu'd ]
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Continental Congress
Non Importation
Address To King
Colonial Grievances
Boston Fortifications
Resolutions
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Cushing
Mr. Low
Mr. Mifflin
Mr. Lee
Mr. Johnson
Simon Boerum
Mr. J. Adams
Mr. Henry
Mr. J. Rutledge
William Goddard
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Cushing
Mr. Low
Mr. Mifflin
Mr. Lee
Mr. Johnson
Simon Boerum
Mr. J. Adams
Mr. Henry
Mr. J. Rutledge
William Goddard
Event Date
October 1774
Story Details
The Continental Congress appoints committees to plan non-importation measures and draft a loyal address to King George III, resolves to assure the King of colonial self-sufficiency in government and defense, debates restoration of pre-war colonial status, receives a letter from Boston's committee of correspondence about British fortifications and seeks advice, and resolves to ban certain imports from December 1.