Showing posts with label Darien Resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darien Resolutions. Show all posts

Saturday, March 26, 2022

The Darien [Georgia] Resolutions, January 18, 1775

IN THE DARIEN COMMITTEE,        
Thursday, January 18, 1775.

When the most valuable privileges of a people are invaded, not only by open violence, but by every kind of fraud, sophistry, and cunning, it behooves very individual to be on his guard, and every member of society, like beacons in a country surrounded by enemies, to give the alarm, not only when their liberties in general are attacked, but separately, lest a precedent in one may affect the whole; and to enable the collective wisdom of such people to judge of its consequences, and how far their respective grievances concern all, or should be opposed, to preserve their necessary union.

Every laudable attempt of this kind by the good people of this Colony, in a Constitutional manner, hath been hitherto frustrated by the influence and authority of men in office, and their numerous dependents, and in every other natural and just way, by the various arts they have put in practice.

We, therefore, the representatives of the extensive district of Darien, in the Colony of Georgia, being now assembled in Congress by the authority and free choice of the inhabitants of the said district, now freed from their fetters, do resolve

First, That the unparalleled moderation, the decent, but firm and manly conduct of the loyal and brave people of Boston and Massachusetts Bay, to preserve their liberty, deserve not only the applause and thanks of all Americans, but also the imitation of all mankind. But to avoid needless repetition, we acquiesce and join in all the resolutions passed by the Grand American Congress in Philadelphia, last October. We thank them for their sage counsel and advice, and most heartily and cheerfully accede to the association entered into by them, as the wisest and most moderate measure that could be adopted in our present circumstances to reconcile and firmly unite Great Britain and the colonies, so indispensably necessary to each other, by the surest and best basis, mutual interest. But as the wisest counsels upon earth are liable to the errors of humanity, and notwithstanding our reverence and partiality for that august Assembly, we beg leave to differ from them in opinion, charging the unjust measures of the present and preceding ministry to a person qualified rather for a private than a public station; and as the resentment of his countrymen on a former occasion was raised by the illiberal and unjust abuse of them indiscriminately, for the faults of that man, we humbly presume the renewing it at this time, on so little foundation, at least impolitic, being confident that every member of that late wise, patriotic, and truly honourable Congress, from a principle of candour and justice, will rather commend than blame our honest and well-meant freedom.

Second, That in shutting up our land offices, with the intention of raising our quit-rents, and setting up our lands at public sale, representations of the Crown tract have not been duly considered and attended to in all its consequences to this vast continent; that it is a principal part of the unjust system of politics adopted by the present ministry to subject and enslave us, and evidently proceeds from an ungenerous jealousy of the colonies, to prevent as much as possible the population of America, and the relief of the poor and distressed in Great Britain, and elsewhere, for whom a kind Providence has opened a new world from the merciless oppressors, when the old is overcome with such monsters.

That monopolizing our lands into few hands, is forming and encouraging petty tyrants to lord it over us, or to reside in any other part of the world in extravagance, luxury, and folly, by the fruit of our labour and industry. Such oppressors neither we nor our fathers were able to bear, and it drove us to the wilderness, and that all encouragement should be given to the poor of every nation by every generous American.

Third, That ministerial mandates, under the name of instructions, preventing the legal representatives of the people to enact laws suiting their own respective situations and circumstances, are a general grievance, and more especially to this young colony, where our internal police is not yet well settled; and as a proof of the intention of these restrictions, when time and opportunity offer, we point out particularly, amongst many others of like nature, the not suffering us to limit the term of our Assembly, or passing a quit-rent law to ascertain and fix the most valuable part of our property.

Fourth, That an over proportion of officers for the number of inhabitants, and paying the salaries from Britain, so much cast up to us by Court parasites, and for which we are so often charged with ingratitude, are, in truth, real and great grievances, rendering them insolent and regardless of their conduct, being independent of the people, who should support them according to their usefulness and behaviour, and for whose benefit and conveniency alone they were originally intended. That besides these exorbitant salaries, which enable them all to act by deputies, whilst they wallow in luxury themselves, their combining to raise their exorbitant and illegal fees and perquisites by various acts upon the subject to an alarming height, are more dangerous to our liberties than a regular army, having the means of corruption so much in their power, the danger of which is exemplified in the present unhappy state of our brethren and fellow-subjects in Great Britain. To prevent, therefore, as much as in us lies, these direful effects, we do resolve never to choose any person in public office, his deputy, deputies, or any expectant, to represent us in Assembly, or in any other public place in our election, hoping the example will be followed throughout this colony, and in all America.

Fifth. To show the world that we are not influenced by any contracted or interested motives, but a general philanthropy for all mankind, of whatever climate, language, or complexion, we hereby declare our disapprobation and abhorrence of the unnatural practice of slavery in America (however the uncultivated state of our country, or other specious arguments may plead for it)—a practice founded in injustice and cruelty, and highly dangerous to our liberties (as well as lives), debasing part of our fellow-creatures below men, and corrupting the virtue and morals of the rest; and is laying the basis of that liberty we contend for (and which we pray the Almighty to continue to the latest posterity) upon a very wrong foundation. We therefore resolve at al times to use our utmost endeavors for the manumission of our slaves in this Colony, upon the most safe and equitable footing for the masters and themselves.

Sixth, That we do hereby choose Messrs. to represent us for this district in the Provincial Congress at Savannah, the 18th instant, or at any other time and place appointed hereafter, for the space of one year from this day, and that a copy of these resolutions be given them, as expressing the sense of this district of public grievances, which will serve for their direction and instructions; and it is further our desire that our said deputies shall use their endeavours to send two delegates to the General Continental Congress, to be held at Philadelphia next May.

ASSOCIATION.

Being persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend, under God, on the firm union of the inhabitants in its vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend the dissolution of the powers of governments, we, the freemen, freeholders, and inhabitants of the Province of Georgia, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to raise à revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do in the most solemn manner resolve never to become slaves, and do associate, under all the ties of religion, honor, and love of country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever may be recommended by the Continental Congress or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention that shall be appointed for the purpose of preserving our Constitution, and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America on Constitutional principles, which we most ardently desire, can be obtained; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our General Committee to be appointed, respecting the purposes aforesaid-the preservation of peace and good order and the safety of individuals and private property.

Signed by
Lach’n Mcintosh,
Geo. Threadcraft,
Charles Mcdonald,
John Mcintosh,
Raymond Demere,
Jiles Moore,
Samuel Mocleland,
Richard Cooper,
Seth Mocollugh,
Isaac Hall,
Thomas King,
John Roland,
P. Shuttleworth,
Josep. Slobe,
James Newson,
A. D. Cuthbert,
John Hall,
Jno. Mccullugh, Sen.,
Peter Sallers, Jun.,
James Clark,
Jno. Witherspoon, Jun'r,
Jno. Witherspoon,
Jno. Fulton,
Samuel Fulton,
Isaao Cuthbert,
Jno. Mccolluga, Jun'r,
Wm. Mccollugh,
R. Shuttleworth,
John Mccleland,

SOURCES: George White, Historical Collections of Georgia, p.554-6; Daniel Reaves Goodloe, The Birth of the Republic, p. 340-2; Peter Force, American Archives: Fourth Series, Volume 1, p. 1135-7