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In Committee Chamber, Worcester, November 18 1776
As expedients are no longer wise, prudent, and politick,
than the reasons on which they are founded exist, and
effects are reversed by a mutation of causes; as the demands
of our country are continually variating, and the complexion
of publick affairs incessantly altering; as our dangers and
Therefore Resolved, That it is inexpedient that the resolution of the late Committee of this town, disarming and confining a number of its inhabitants, be any longer in force; that such persons once more be put upon a standing with the rest of their fellow-countrymen; that they be allowed the privileges of Englishmen, of friends to their country, of passing where and when they please; until they evidence by their conduct and behaviour a different character; and that such as have arms in the possession of the Committee may receive the same by making application to Mr˙ Baldwin, their Chairman.
2dly˙ Resolved, That it be recommended to all true, firm, and tried friends to their country, to endeavour to convince persons of every degree, character, and complexion, that the cause we are engaged in is of too much dignity to be sullied by rashness, too important, too seriously important, to be weakened by tumult, divisions, and party strife; that liberty receives strength and vigour from prudence and consideration; that justice, equity, regularity, and, in some instances, moderation are her closest friends; that she courts virtue as her bosom companion, and shuns vice as her dangerous enemy; and therefore equally avoiding feverish fits of political heat and cold, banishing from their breast all personal prejudices, private piques, narrow opinions, illiberal distinctions, and unbecoming jealousies; displaying a magnanimity proportional to the importance and danger of the struggle, cultivating harmony of sentiment and unanimity of councils; and carefully distinguishing between the friend and the foe; that it is wisdom (acting discreetly, firmly, unitedly, and spiritedly) to receive all such to their favour, friendship, and confidence, who will give ample and satisfactory assurances of their readiness to join in the defence of their much-injured country, and their steady persevering attachment to her glorious cause, at the same time to exercise a vigilant attention to those who continue notoriously in opposition; those who secretly influence under the principles of an affected neutrality, and those who may labour to conceal themselves under the despicable cloak of a cunning duplicity, if any such there be.
3rdly. Resolved, That it be recommended to the good people of this town that they use their utmost endeavours immediately to equip themselves with every implement of war, as the necessary means of defence from a foreign attack, or an internal insurrection.
Per order of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, of Worcester.
NATHAN BALDWIN, Chairman.
Worcester County (Massachusetts) Committee
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our fears subside by the approach of the enemy, and their arts of division have produced unanimity; as the resolve of the State on the 8th of May, 1775, was a temporary provision, and has had its operation; as the resolution of our predecessors in office, disarming and consigning to this town a number of its inhabitants, was expressly to prevent their joining our avowed enemies, and to deprive them of the means of obstructing measures adopted for the common defence; as the suffering, servile, spurned attendance on a passing camp, the fate of parricides, who have joined the adversary, must deter all but the mad from repeating the experiment; and the recent epistolary lamentations of disappointed refugees
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either by avowed exertions or concealed machinations; and as no good reason can be given for continuing the mere existence of the resolve made by our predecessors aforesaid:
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