Idle Spectators and DO NOTHING, Wherefore Considering ourselves a part of the whole, and members of the same Body and that our Interests are Joint Interests (3) we are willing & will unite and Join with our Brethren in pursuing all Proper & Lawful methods whereby we may gain redress of those Grievances So Justly Complained of and which are like to prove So hurtful to the good Subjects of the King as well as Dishonorable to his Crown. (4). Resolved as the opinion of this town that we are not Sensible that we or our Brethren of this Province have Done anything thus to forfeit our Just rights or to merrit the Displeasure of our Sovereign, but on the other hand we verily Believe that the People of this Province and throughout the whole British america are as true and as Loyal Subjects as any in the King's Dominions, at the Same time we Cannot omitt Saying that it is with Pleasure we observe Stiddiness and firmness of the people in their resolutions as well as good temper in standing for and maintaining their Just rights and Priviledges and that all mobs, routs and riots are laid aside — and Furthermore we are of opinion that if petitions for redress in a proper Channel were repeatedly and humbly presented to our King & our earnest prayers Continually put up to the King of kings the Same accompanied with a universal reformation this would give us reason to hope that our Priviledges wold be restored & Continued to us and that we might yet remain a happy People." Resolves every way worthy the age of heroes and sages.

After the report had been read, it was "Voted that

the above be Recorded in the Town book, & that the town clerk transmit a coppy thereof to the Committee of Correspondence in the town of Boston as quick as may be." The clerk is careful to note at the bottom of his record, "A copy sent to Boston." Thus the echo went back from the "mountains" to the sea, and the hearts of the people were strengthened.

The state of affairs grew no better, and in December, the tea was thrown overboard in Boston Harbor by a party of citizens disguised as Indians, among whom was Robert Sessions, who soon afterwards settled in this town and became one of our most worthy and influential citizens. No action was taken by the town, March 15, 1774, on an article in the warrant "to see if the town will pass any votes relative to the Letters Sind [signed] by our present Governour & Lieut. Governour & some other Gentlemen Sent home and returned to Boston and Sent to Wilbraham to be Emiditately Laid before said town." These fathers of ours had no time to give to a consideration of the reasons offered by their tory "Governour and Leut. Governour," Hutchinson and Oliver, why they should surrender "their Just Rights and Priviledges;" even the Prayer of the Colonies for redress, presented to Parliament by the hand of Franklin, had been spurned from the house. Their arms were as strong as their hearts, and their muskets as true as their principles.

In June of this year, 1774, Gage filled Boston with troops, and the Common was covered with tents. A

special meeting of our citizens was called, June 23d "to see if the town will take into Consideration the Precarious State of the Liberties of North America & more Especially the Present Distressed condition of this INSULTED PROVINCE & pass any vote or votes on the Letters or Covenant which are So Called sent from the town of Boston to the town of Wilbraham to be Subscribed by all adult Persons of both sexes in Sd town. and pass all such votes on the above Said articles as the town Shall by any way or meathod think proper or Convenient."

The town-meeting was 66 very full." "Mr. John Bliss was chosen moderator. It was voted that Dea. Warriner Should Desire Mr. Mirick to Come and Pray accordingly Mr. Mirick opened Sa meeting by prayer." This is the first record of a prayer being offered at a town-meeting, and eminently significant of the deep seriousness felt by the citizens, and their consciousness of the momentous interests which were at stake. After the prayer, they take up the business before them with a mixture of dependence and independence on foreign direction as well as with patriotic devotion.

"After several Letters or Covenants sent from the town of Boston to the town of Wilbraham were read, it was further voted after Largely Discoursed upon that Some words Should be Dashed out in the first article in the Covenant and some be aded, voted that the Last article in the Covenant should be all Dasht out, & voted there Should be words aded under the Last article in the Cove

nant; voted and chose Dec" Warriner Lieut. Thomas Mirick & James Warriner a Comte to make Enquiry to See what other towns Do before they send S Covenant to the town of boston & voted that Sa Comte Should not Send Said Covenant without further orders from Sd town. This covenant says, "there being no alternative between the horrors of Slavery or the Carnage and desolation of a Civil war but a Suspension of all Commercial intercourse with the island of Great Britain, we do solemnly Covenant and engage with each other (1) that from henceforth we will Suspend all Commercial intercourse with said island of Great Britain *** and (2) that we will not buy, purchase or Consume or Suffer any person by for or under us to purchase or Consume in any manner whatever any goods weres or merchandize which shall arrive in America from Great Britain **** and that we will break off all trade Commerce and dealings whatever with all persons who Prefering their own Private intrist to the Salvation of their now perishing Country shall still continue to Import goods from Great Britain or shall purchase of those who do Import and (3) we agree to purchase no article of merchandize of any who do not sign this covenant." Then follow the signatures of one hundred and twenty-five patriotic men, who, it is to be presumed, were heads of families.1

A "very full town-meeting" was held a month after, July 29, 1774, at which Messrs. Daniel Cadwell, William

King, Moses Stebbins, Eleazar Smith, John Sterns, John Bliss and Ezra Barker, were chosen a committee "to draw up some resolves agreeable to the house of representatives respecting the Covenant Sent from Boston." After an adjournment of the meeting "for a Short Space in order that said Commitee prepare Sa Resolves," the meeting is again opened and the committee, after professing loyalty "so far as" their "Liberty and the nations Good will Admit," report that "the Continuation of a trade with Great Britton under our present Situation wold be unprofitable & very Dangerous," and that "a non Importation & agreement Should be universally adopted by all the British Collonies in america but being sensable of the Improprity of this town Prescribing measures for the whole of America we do Cheerfully approve of the measures adopted by the Late Honorable House of Representatives * Proposing a Congress of the Colonies whose result & advice we Shall Stand ready to adopt as far as we can consistent with good Conscience." While they deprecate mobs and riots as "injurious to the cause of Liberty" they recommend "the moderate peaceble & Steady persuance of Some Proper means for Redress with Dependance upon a divine Benidiction." They continue their resolves by saying, we Do Sincerely Intend Speedily to contribute to the relief of Boston & Charlestown suffering under the rod of oppression,"**"we cannot look upon any person or persons who will not adopt these salitary measures as friends of their country."***"We shall not think our

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