Providence (Rhode-Island) Town-Meeting

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At a Town-Meeting of the Town of Providence, especially called by warrant, and held according to law, in Providence, on the 7th day of September, A˙ D˙ 1775,

Notwithstanding the time limited by the honourable Continental Congress for exportation to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West-Indies, is not yet fully expired, yet it is apprehended by this Town that the exporting Flaxseed from this Continent at this time, in large quantities, to any part of Europe, fully to the 10th of this instant, (the memorable day when all exportation from the United Colonies ceases,) militates directly against the spirit and design of the Continental Association. And whereas, upon the presumption that exportation would be continued by the other Colonies to the 10th of September, a quantity of Flaxseed has lately been brought into this Town, the exportation whereof, under the present circumstances, may counteract the good of our Country, and give grounds for jealousy and uneasiness to our brethren in the other Colonies, who we find have determined not to export any Flaxseed of this year' s produce; and as we are desirous of the most firm union with our brethren on the Continent, and wish that every cause of uneasiness may be removed, it is therefore

Voted and Resolved, That this Town highly disapprove of the exportation of any Flaxseed, at any time hereafter, by any persons in this Town, until a general exportation of that article takes place throughout the United Colonies of America; and that this Vote or Resolve be published in the next Providence Gazette.

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Because the aforesaid Vote or Resolve, under the pretext of amending, is an actual violation of the regulations of the Continental Congress, and deprives the subjects of those privileges they are entitled to, not only agreeable to the plain construction of the Fourth Article in their printed Resolves, but also the full sense and determination of the Members of said Congress, on a late motion, to alter the said Article.

As such a Vote or Resolve is very inconsistent with the well known principles of justice and prudence, as it withholds the benefit of supplies and trade from our real friends, while the same are allowed to those that are violently pursuing the subversion of all rights and privileges. As such a measure, adopted by a number of individuals or small corporations, has a direct tendency to supersede, or render ineffectual and of no validity, the united regulations of the Continental Congress, and to reduce every matter to a state of uncertainty and confusion.

SAMUEL NIGHTINGALE.

The foregoing Protest, signed by Mr˙ Nightingale, was delivered to the Town Clerk, by him to be entered on record.

The meeting dissolved.