Towns of Massachusetts

To the worthy Comittee of Correspondence in the Town of Boston

Gentlemen

As you have hitherto heard nothing from us in answer to your repeated messages you may be ready to censure us for want of proper respect to you; or think we are regardless of our public grievances; insensible to the sufferings of our Neighbors; and great delinquents in the comon glorious cause.

We therefore beg leave to say before you some general view of our proceedings, and of our excuses for former neglects, as also for not imitating the noble examples of Charity in some other Towns; and likewise to express the sense we have of our natural and constitutional rights, and our resolutions, under God, to live, or die with them.

We readily own we were not awakened to a sense of the public danger and interest so early as you; but this serves to impress our minds with a deeper sense of the obligation we are under to you for your seasonable and vigorous exertions. And it is some comfort to us that the comon cause has not suffer’d by us, and that we have not one addresser in the Town; hope therefore you have in some degree applyed that scriptural maxim in our favor “he that is not gainst us is on our part”.

As the unhappy Controversy at first more imediately respected the mercantile part of the comunity, our ignorance may in part excuse us. As for the late acts of the british Parliament we have done every thing n our power to oppose them: for we were sufficiently alarmed by the port Bill of the wicked designs of a despotic ministry, a Bill the most cruel and unjust that ever passed the british Senate, and has brought the curses of millions on the man that framed it.

We have sent members to the County and provincial Congresses, and trust they have very acted and voted as steady friends to our injuried Country. Our jury-men refused taking the oaths under the late oppressive and unconstitutional acts. We chearfully contriubed our mite for our noble patriots on the grand Congress, where, We hear they supported the dignity of ancient roman Senators.

We readily adopt the Association of the continental Congress, and have appointed a Committee to see that the several resolves and directions of the Congresses are strictly observed; and trust that a sacred regard will be paid to them by every person and family in Town. We have no Tea=drinkers among us, and shall make it our study to observe the Rules of prudence and oeconomy and to promote our own Manufactures. Our Militia is regulated according to the directions of Congress, and from present appearances we promised ourselves great success.

We view the capital of the Province as suffering and bleeding in its country’s cause and feel ourselves oppressed by the same iron hand of Tyranny: a sense of our own sufferings is increased from a consideration of our being disinabled to contribute towards the relief of our suffering Neighbors. Being debared from transporting our Hay (one of the chief articles of our subsistance) to the market, by a measure base and insulting, deprived also of the common and almost only method of procuring our fuel, together with the great sufferings of Point=Shirley, you are sensible must bring us present and threaten us with greater future distress. But supported from a good Cause we shall cheerfully persevere; and with the same ardor that we wish deliverance and prosperity to ourselves we wish them to you.

We are but few in number, and of small ability; and as we earn our bread by the sweat of our brow, shall ever hold in utter detestation both men and measures that would rob us of the fruit of our toil.

We most heartely rejoice in the general union, and trust that the Justice of our Cause must procure us the friendship of all the virtuous and wise people in England. But we have no doubts at all of the natural right of Colonies to form into a goverment by themselves whenever they think it expedient; and therefore if our grievances should not be redressed, impartial reason must justify british America in seperating from a state, that after many fruitless attempts to enslave its subjects at home would fain intail bondage on these colonies.

However, we have strong expectations that our Country will yet shake off its burdens and have its rights, liberties, and commerse established upon a firmer and broader Basis than ever; and doubt not but under the blessing and protection of heaven (for which we cease not to pray) America, like the rising sun will shine brighter and brighter, till the steady hand of Time shall bring her to that happy period when she may bid defiance to every oppressor throughout the world.

We shall only further add at present, That a Consciousness of your arduous labors for your Country’s good must ever afford you a pleasing sensation; and while we unfeignedly thank you for former good services, permit us to hope for the continuance of them, be assur’d we never will desert the Cause, nor submit to oppression.

This with what may be offer’d by the Gentn that present it, we hope will at least Place us in a more favourable light with you, than you may have hitherto viewed us in.

With all gratitude and respect we subscribe our […]

Samuel Sargeant

Samll. Sprague

Samuel Watts.} In the Name of the Town of Chelsea

Chelsea Novr. 20th 1774

Voted, That the above Gentn., viz Messrs. Samll Sargeant, Samll. Sprague, and Samll Watts our Committee of Correspondence present this to the Gentlemen Committee of Correspondence in the Town of Boston.