from
History of Providence County, Rhode Island
Edited by Richard M. Bayles.
In two volumes, illustrated. Vol. I.
New York: W. W. Preston & Co., 1891.
pp. 171 - 191. (part 9)
" 'Upon full consideration of the matter upon which we have met, we do
resolve, --- "
'I. That the disposal of their own property is the inherent right of
freemen; that there can be no property in that, which another can, of
right, take from us without our consent; that the claim of Parliament to
tax America, is in other words, a claim of right to levy contributions on
us at pleasure.
'II. That the duty imposed by Parliament upon the tea, landed in America,
is a tax on the Americans, or levying contributions on them without their
consent.
'III. That the express purpose for which the tax is levied on the
Americans, namely; for the support of government, administration of
justice, and defence of His Majesty's dominions in America, has a direct
tendency to render Assemblies useless, and to introduce arbitrary
government and slavery.
'IV. That a virtuous and steady opposition to this ministerial plan of
governing America, is absolutely necessary, to preserve even the shadow of
liberty; and is a duty which every freeman in America owes to his country,
to himself, and to his posterity.
'V. That the resolution lately entered into by the East India Company to
send out their tea to America, subject to the payment of duties on its
being landed here, is an open attempt to enforce this ministerial plan, and
a violent attack upon the liberties of America.
'VI. That it is the duty of every American to oppose this attempt.
'VII. That whoever shall, directly or indirectly, countenance this
attempt, or in any wise aid or abet in unloading, receiving, or vending the
tea sent, or to be sent out by the East India Company, while it remains
subject to the payment of a duty here, is an enemy to his country.'
'VIII. That no tea belonging to the East India Company, or any other
persons, subject to a duty, or dutied tea, shall be unladed here, or
brought to land.
'IX. That this town will co-operate with the other towns in this colony,
and with all the other colonies, in a resolute stand, as well against every
other unconstitutional measure, calculated to enslave America, as the tea
act in particular.
'X. That Samuel Nighengale, Esq., Jabez Bowen, Esq., and Messrs. John
Brown, John Updike, John Jenckes, John Mathewson, and Daniel Cahoon, or the
major part of them, be a committee to correspond with the towns in this and
the neighboring governments, on all such matters as shall be thought to
affect the liberties of America.
'Voted, That this town highly approve of the proceedings of their brethren
of Boston, Philadelphia and New York, in their spirited and resolute
opposition made to the introduction of tea, while subject to a duty laid by
Parliament; and that our thanks be given them for the same.
'Voted, That this committee wait on all the importers of English goods in
this town, and inform them of the resolutions which the town have entered
into respecting tea, while subject to a duty; ad if any of them have
ordered any tea to come next spring, that they be desired to send counter
orders immediately.
'Voted, That the foregoing proceedings be published in the next 'Providence
Gazette'. "
continued in part 10.