“GRIEVANCES AND DISTRESSES”
by James Still, ©2014
(Nov. 1, 2014) — Encouraged by the Suffolk Resolves, the First Continental Congress passed the Articles of Association in hopes that a boycott of British goods would encourage a redress of grievances and repeal of the Intolerable Acts. Abraham Lincoln noted the significance of this moment: “The Union is much older than the Constitution. It was formed, in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774.” Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861
“WE, his majesty’s most loyal subjects, the delegates of the several colonies… avowing our allegiance to his majesty, our affection and regard for our fellow-subjects in Great-Britain and elsewhere, affected with the deepest anxiety, and most alarming apprehensions, at those grievances and distresses, with which his Majesty’s American subjects are oppressed; and having taken under our most serious deliberation, the state of the whole continent, find, that the present unhappy situation of our affairs is occasioned by a ruinous system of colony administration, adopted by the British ministry about the year 1763…
To obtain redress of these grievances, which threaten destruction to the lives liberty, and property of his majesty’s subjects, in North-America, we are of opinion, that a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement, faithfully adhered to, will prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable measure: And, therefore, we do, for ourselves, and the inhabitants of the several colonies, whom we represent, firmly agree and associate, under the sacred ties of virtue, honor and love of our country…
And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents, under the ties aforesaid, to adhere to this association, until such parts of the several acts of parliament… are repealed.” Journals of Congress, Oct 20, 1774
James Still, JamesStill@RetraceOurSteps.com
“We will in our several Stations encourage Frugality, Economy, and Industry, and promote Agriculture, Arts [Trades] and the manufactures of this Country…” Journals of Congress, Oct 20, 1774
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“We will endeavor therefore to live without Trade, and recur [resort] for Subsistence to the Fertility and Bounty of our native Soil, which will afford us all the necessaries and some of the Conveniences of Life.” Journals of Congress, October 21, 1774