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Mr˙ RIVINGTON: In the present critical situation of publick affairs, we the subscribers, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, and the adjoining parts, in the County of Fairfield, and Colony of Connecticut, think it necessary (through the channel of your Paper) to assure the publick that we are open enemies to any change in the present happy Constitution; and highly disapprove of all measures in any degree calculated to promote confusion and disorder; for which purpose, and in order to avoid the
First. Resolved, That whilst me enjoy the privileges and immunities of the English Constitution, we will render all due obedience to his most gracious Majesty King George the Third; and that a firm dependence on the mother country is essential to our political safety and happiness.
Second. Resolved, That the privileges and immunities of this Constitution are yet (in a good degree) continued to all his Majesty' s American subjects, except those who, we conceive, have justly forfeited their title thereto.
Third. Resolved, That we suppose the Continental Congress was constituted for the purpose of restoring harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies, and removing the displeasure of his Majesty towards his American subjects; whereas, on the contrary, some of their Resolutions appear to us immediately calculated to widen the present unhappy breach; counteract the first principles of civil society, and in a great degree abridge the privileges of their constituents.
Fourth. Resolved, That notwithstanding we will, in all circumstances, conduct with prudence and moderation, we consider it an indispensable duty we owe to our King, our Constitution, our country, and posterity, to defend, maintain, and preserve, at the risk of our lives and properties, the prerogative of the Crown, and the privileges of the subject from all attacks by any rebellious body of men, any Committees of Inspection, Correspondence, &c.
[ Signed by one hundred and forty-one Inhabitants, whose names are to be seen at the Printer' s.]
Reading (Connecticut) Association
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general censure incurred by a great part of this Colony from the mode of conduct here adopted for the purpose of opposing the British Government, we have entered into the following Resolves and Agreements, viz: