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At a Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Borough Town of Westchester, in New-York, the 20th of Ausust, 1774,
James Ferris, Esquire, Colonel Lewis Morris, and Captain Thomas Hunt, were chosen a Committee to meet the Committee of the different towns and precincts within this county, at the White Plains, on Monday, the 22d instant, to consult on the expediency of appointing one or more Delegates to represent this county at the general Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, the first day of September next; and James Ferris, Esquire, being unanimously chosen Chairman, the Committee, after considering
Resolved, First, That we do, and will bear true allegiance to his Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain, and according to the British Constitution.
Second, That we coincide in opinion with our friends in New- York, and of every other Colony, that all Acts of the British Parliament, imposing taxes on the Colonies without their consent, or by their Representatives, are arbitrary and oppressive, and should meet the abhorrence and detestation of all good men; that they are replete with the purpose of creating animosities and dissensions between the mother country and the Colonies, and thereby tend to destroy that harmony and mutual agreement which it is so much the interest of both to cherish and maintain.
Third, That we esteem it our duty, and think it incumbent on all the Colonies in America, to contribute towards the relief of the poor and distressed people of Boston; and that a person of this Borough be appointed to collect such charitable donations, within the same, as may be offered for their support.
Fourth, That as a division in the Colonies would be a sure means to counteract the present intention of the Americans in their endeavours to preserve their rights and liberties from the invasion that is threatened, we do most heartily recommend a steadiness and unanimity in their measures, as they will have the happy effects of averting the calamity that the late tyrannical Act of the British Parliament would otherwise most assuredly involve us in.
Fifthly, That, to obtain a redress of our grievances, it has been thought most advisable in the Colonies to appoint a general Congress, we will take shelter under the wisdom of those gentlemen who may be chosen to represent us, and cheerfully acquiesce in any measures they may judge shall be proper on this very alarming and critical occasion.
JAMES FERRIS, Chairman.
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Borough Town of West-Chester
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the very alarming situation of their suffering brethren, at Boston, occasioned by the late unconstitutional, arbitrary, and oppressive Act of the British Parliament for blocking up their port, as well as the several Acts imposing taxes on the Colonies, in order to raise a revenue in America, thought proper to adopt the following Resolutions, which were unanimously agreed to: