Meeting at Faneuil Hall

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Wednesday, May 18, 1774.

The freeholders and other inhabitants of this town, met again this day, at Fanueil Hall, by adjournment; and the Committee which had been appointed to receive and consider of proposals for the support and employment of such as will be sufferers by the operation of the cruel edict of the British Parliament, reported that several judicious proposals had been made, and that they conceived that ways and means would be found for the relief of such inhabitants in the time of distress. They recommended to their fellow-citizens patience, fortitude, and a firm trust in God, and desired further time to agree upon a report.

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The meeting was therefore adjourned to Monday, the 31st instant, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, by which time it is expected we shall have encouraging news from some of the sister Colonies.

Previous to the adjournment the town thought it their duty to pass the following Votes, viz:

1st˙ That the trade of the town of Boston has been one essential link in that vast chain of commerce, which, in the course of a few ages, has raised New England to be what it is, the Southern Provinces to be what they are, the West India Islands to their wealth, and, in one word, the British Empire to that height of opulence, power, pride and splendour, at which it now stands.

2d˙ That the impolicy, injustice, inhumanity and cruelty of the Act aforesaid, exceed all our powers of expression. We, therefore, leave it to the just censure of others, and appeal to God and the world.