CONNECTICUT DECRIES THE BOSTON PORT ACT 1774
The Boston Tea Party, which involved the destruction of three cargoes of tea by colonists thinly disguised as Indians, provoked an angry response in Parliament. Even as good a friend of America as Colonel Barre so far forgot his grammar as to burst out, "Boston ought to be punished; she is your eldest son!" Parliament speedily passed a series of punitive measures ('Intolerable Acts':), notably the act closing the port of Boston until the tea was paid for. The other colonies, deeply resentful, responded with assurances of support. Virginia raised food and money; Philadelphia contributed one thousand barrels of flour. Various groups, including the citizens of Farmington, Connecticut, passed resolutions of protest. To what extent did their resolution reflect a desire for independence?
Early in the morning was found the following handbill, posted up in various
parts of the town, viz.:
To pass through the fire at six o'clock this evening, in honor to the immortal goddess of Liberty, the late infamous Act of the British Parliament for farther distressing the American Colonies. The place of execution will be the public parade, where all Sons of Liberty are desired to attend.
Accordingly, a very numerous and respectable body were assembled of near one thousand people, when a huge pole, just forty-five feet high, was erected, and consecrated to the shrine of liberty; after which the Act of Parliament for blocking up the Boston harbor was read aloud, sentenced to the flames, and executed by the hands of the common hangman. Then the following resolves were passed, nem. con. [unanimously]:
1st. That it is the greatest dignity, interest, and happiness of every American to be united with our parent state while our liberties are duly secured, maintained, and supported by our rightful sovereign, whose person we greatly revere; whose government, whlie duly administered, we are ready with our lives and properties to support.
2nd. That the present Ministry, being instigated by the Devil, and led on by their wicked and corrupt hearts, have a design to take away our liberties and properties, and to enslave us forever.
3rd. That the late Act, which their malice hath caused to be passed in Parliament, for blocking up the port of Boston, is unjust, illegal, and oppressive; and that we, and every American, are sharers in the insults offered to the town of Boston.
4th. That those pimps and parasites who dared to advise their master [George III] to such detestable measures be held in utter abhorrence by us and every American, and their names loaded with the curses of all succeeding generations.
5th. That we scorn the chains of slavery; we despise every attempt to rivet them upon us; we are the sons of freedom, and resolved that, till time shall be no more, that godlike virtue shall blazon our hemisphere.
