Address of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of Williamsburg

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Williamsburg, November 10, 1774.

This afternoon the whole body of Merchants at present in this City, supposed to be between four and five hundred,

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To the Honourable PEYTON RANDOLPH, Esquire, Moderator, and the other DELEGATES of the People of VIRGINIA, who assembled at the Capitol, in WILLIAMSBURG, on Wednesday, the ninth of November, 1774:

The Address of the Merchants, Traders, and others, at a General Meeting in WILLIAMSBURG.

GENTLEMEN: Your generous and voluntary interposition at a time when we were under apprehensions that some measures would be adopted derogatory to the importance of the cause we wish to support with propriety, and contrary to the intention of the General Congress; and by your wisdom and prudence pointing out such methods of proceeding as have removed our fears and given universal satisfaction, demands our grateful acknowledgment.

Truly sensible of the necessity of preserving peace and harmony, not only between the different Colonies, but also among all ranks and societies in each Colony; and to show our readiness to concur in such prudent measures as are most likely to procure a redress of our grievances, we now present the Association voluntarily and generally signed; and as we, on our parts, resolve to adhere strictly thereto, we hope to be favoured with your advice and assistance on every future emergency.

GENTLEMEN: It gives us great satisfaction to find that our conduct has received the approbation of your respectable Body; and you may be assured we shall, on all occasions, endeavour to move on the firm principles of Justice and the Constitution. The Delegates are very sensible of the great advantage this country will receive from your union with them; and they consider it as very meritorious, that you, disregarding the influence of your commercial interest, have generously concurred with them in the great struggle for liberty. Such unanimity, we trust, will convince an inimical Administration of the imprudence of their measures, and produce effects so salutary as to make us reflect with pleasure on the part we have taken in support of American freedom.