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honorably supported by grants from the General Assembly, and in such a manner as shall best tend to the maintaining of justice in the land.
Finally, that you endeavor that the disputes and differences now subsisting betwixt
Great Britain and the Colonies be speedily and amicably adjusted, and peace and harmony again restored.
A copy of the above was sent to the town of
Boston.
The records of
Medford are full of the most clear and stirring expressions of patriotism with reference to the oppressions of the Crown.
So near to
Boston, every pulsation of that central heart found an answering beat in the bosoms of our ancestors.
They were among the first and steadiest supporters of colonial rights.
There were men in
Medford, in 1770, who knew their political, civil, and religious position, and who were ready to defend themselves from parliaments and ministers and kings.
It will not be necessary to copy into this history the many declarations and resolutions which glow with the auroral light of liberty on the records of the town.
It may be interesting to see into what form their views and feelings had settled in 1773; and these may be apprehended by the following record of a town-meeting held for the special purpose of expressing their opinion upon the
Tea Question.
The record is as follows:--
The town being informed, that, by reason of the American merchants generally refusing to import tea from Great Britain while subjected to the payment of the duty imposed thereon by the British Parliament, the East India Company there have been so greatly embarrassed in the sale of their teas, that they have at length determined (through permission of Parliament) to export a supply for the Colonies on their own account.
Several ships have already arrived in Boston with large quantities on board, and several more are daily expected; and we are informed that the said duty will be paid upon all such teas.
To prevent, therefore, the many formidable evils consequent upon the success of this alarming and subtle attempt to rivet the chains of oppression, the town, after mature deliberation, comes into the following resolutions:--
1. Resolved, That it is the incumbent duty of all free British subjects in America to unite in the use of all lawful measures necessary and expedient for the preservation and security of their rights and privileges, civil and religious.
2. That it is the opinion of this town, that the British Parliament have no constitutional authority to tax these Colonies without their own consent; and that, therefore, the present duty laid upon tea,
