Suffolk+Resolves


 * The Suffolk Resolves**

Whereas the streets of Boston are thronged with military executioners;

Whereas our coasts are lined and harbors crowded with ships of war;

Whereas the charter of the colony, that sacred barrier against the encroachments of tyranny, is mutilated and, in effect, annihilated;

Whereas a murderous law is framed to shelter villains from the hands of justice; Be it hereby resolved:


 * Ø That it is an indispensable duty which we owe to God, our country, ourselves and posterity, by all lawful ways and means in our power to maintain, defend and preserve those civil and religious rights and liberties, for which many of our fathers fought, bled and died, and to hand them down entire to future generations.
 * Ø That the recent acts of the British parliament for blocking up the harbor of Boston, for altering the established form of government in this colony, and for screening violators of the laws of the province from a legal trial, are gross infractions of those rights to which we are justly entitled by the laws of nature, the British constitution, and the charter of the province.
 * Ø That **no obedience is due from this province to either or any part of the acts above-mentioned,** but that they be rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration to enslave America.
 * Ø That it be recommended to the **tax collectors to hold on to what they have collected and not give any of the tax money to the provincial county treasurer** until the civil government of the province is placed upon a constitutional foundation.
 * Ø That any people who have accepted seats at the council board as part of the recent act of the British parliament entitled, //An Act for the Regulating the Government of the Massachusetts-Bay//, have acted in direct violation of the duty they owe to their country, and have thereby given great and just offence to this people; therefore, resolved, that **all such persons should publicly resign;** and that all persons refusing so to do shall be considered enemies to this country.
 * Ø That for the honour, defence and security of this county and province, advise that each town should start organizing a militia. Those who are qualified **should acquaint themselves with the art of war as soon as possible, and train at least once every week.**
 * Ø That, we hereby warn General Gage that efforts to arrest citizens on political charges will result in the detention of the arresting officer until the persons so apprehended be liberated from the bands of our adversaries, and restored safe and uninjured to their respective friends and families.