Meeting of Freeholders and c., in New-Windsor, (Ulster County,) New-York

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March 14, 1775.

At a meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the Precinct of New-Windsor, in the County of Ulster, and Province of New-York, legally convened by mutual consent, in order to elect a Committee of Observation, and deliberate on other matters relative to our political welfare, this 14th day of March, 1775. — Then proceeded, and chose Mr˙ George Denniston, Chairman, and the following persons for the above named Committee, viz: Mr˙ George

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Resolved 1st, nem˙ con˙, That we acknowledge no other Sovereign or Potentate on earth to be our lawful and liege Sovereign, save His Majesty King George the Third, of legal descent from that illustrious House of Brunswick, which was, by the kind providence of God, established to sway the British sceptre on just and equitable principles, but more emphatically described and known by the name of Revolution principles.

Resolved 2dly, nem˙ con˙, That we will yield to none in point of affection and loyalty to our most gracious Sovereign, but will each one for himself, when thereunto legally called, (even though to the most distant and remote parts of His Majesty' s Empire,) venture our lives and properties in defence of our Sovereign' s person, family, and Government, when exercised on the above-named principles.

It is with the greatest regret, and deepest concern of heart, we conceive a plan adopted and invariably pursued for a number of years past, by the British Parliament, for enslaving us, by levying taxes on us without our consent, and declaring they (the Parliament) are fully vested with power to make laws obligatory on us, in all cases whatsoever:

Resolved, therefore, 3dly,nem˙ con˙, That such declarations and unbounded power assumed, are subversive of our natural and legal rights as British subjects; and that we would be far deficient in point of duty to our King and the British Constitution, were we to yield a tame submission to them.

But as the wisdom and prudence of the whole Continent hath been called forth in appointing and holding a Continental Congress, in order to state our grievances, and point out the means by which we may be relieved from them:

Resolved 4thly, nem˙ con˙, That we do sincerely and willingly accord to the Association entered into by that body, with a full determination to abide by and observe the same, and do unfeignedly thank our worthy Delegates of the Province of New-York, in conjunction with the rest of that honourable body, for the care they have taken for the security of our liberties, and the patriotick principles they have exhibited to the world, Which will remain more sure and permanent in the annals of American history than monuments either of brass or marble erected to their honour and perpetuity of their memory.

And where as it is agreed in the Seventh Article of the Association, to improve the breed, and increase the number of Sheep:

Resolved 5thly, nem˙ con˙, That we will use our best endeavours in promoting so laudable and beneficial an undertaking, and do promise that we will not kill any Sheep under four years old, or procure them to be killed by others; neither will we sell the best of our Sheep to butchers, or others employed by them to purchase, whereby the breed of our Sheep is much injured.

And further, we consider the Freedom of the Press as the great palladium of English liberty; therefore we will do all in our power to encourage and support the same. But there is a certain, news-printer in New-York, named James Rivington, who appears to us divesied of every principle of honour, truth, or modesty; his papers being filled with pieces replete with falsehoods and mere chicanery, only designed, as we believe, to divide and lead astray the friends of our happy Constitution:

Resolved, therefore, 6thly; nem˙, con˙, That we will have no connection or intercourse with said Rivington, nor will we purchase any of his publications until we receive sufficient evidence of his sincere repentance ; for we do believe he is a Ministerial hireling, an enemy to his Country, and a traitor to the British Constitution.

And as a certain pamphlet, signed A˙ W˙, A Farmer, hath been for some time circulating among us, which is artfully designed to impose on the illiterate and unthinking part of mankind, having a show of plausibility, but the foundation-principles on which it proceeds are notoriously false:

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Resolved, therefore, 7thly, nem˙ con˙, That the said pamphlet be now publickly burnt in contempt and abhorrence of the author, publisher, and vender of it, at the same time holding them in our estimation as enemies to their Country, with whom no friend to it should have any connection, intercourse, or commerce; well knowing that every shilling of property we put into their hands, we are in a certain proportion enabling them to purchase chains to bind us in slavery. (And said pamphlet was burnt accordingly.)

And further, as we do much esteem the wisdom and prudence of the late Continental Congress held at Philadelphia, in September and October last, as well for their recommending another Congress to be held in May next, as for the other important services they have done us:

Resolved, 8thly, nem˙ con˙, That we are ready and willing to co-operate with our brethren of the different Towns and Precincts in this County, in choosing a Delegate or Delegates to represent us in the next General Congress, believing that the resolutions and determinations of any man; or body of men on earth, cannot legally divest us of this inherent right and privilege we enjoy as British subjects.

Ordered, That these Resolves be printed by John Holt.

GEORGE DENNIS-TOST, Chairman.