Address of the Boston Committee sent to the People

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Boston, June 8, 1774.

There is but one way that we can conceive of to prevent what is to be deprecated by all good men, and ought by all possible means to be prevented, viz: the horrours that must follow an open rupture between Great Britain and her Colonies; or on our part, a subjection to absolute slavery; and that is by affecting the trade and interest of Great Britain so deeply as shall induce her to withdraw her oppressive hand. There can be no doubt of our succeeding to the utmost of our wishes, if we universally come into a solemn league not to import goods from Great Britain, and not to buy any goods that shall hereafter be imported from thence, until our grievances shall be redressed. To these, or even to the least of these shameful impositions, we trust in God our countrymen never will submit.

We have received such assurances from our brethren in every part of the Province, of their readiness to adopt such measures as may be likely to save our country, and that we have not the least doubt of an almost universal agreement for tills purpose; in confidence of this, we have drawn up a form of a covenant to be subscribed by all adult persons, of both sexes; which we have sent to every town in the Province, and that we might not give our enemies time to counteract us, we have endeavoured that every town should be furnished with such a copy on or before the fourteenth day of this month, and we earnestly desire that you would use your utmost endeavours that the subscription paper may be filled up as soon as possible, so that they who are in expectation of overthrowing our liberties, may be discouraged from prosecuting their wicked designs; as we look upon this, the last and only method of preserving our land from slavery without drenching it with blood; may God prosper every undertaking which tends to the salvation of this people. We are, &c.

Signed by order and in behalf of the Committee of Correspondence for Boston,

WILLIAM COOPER, Clerk.