On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress adopted the Suffolk Resolves from Massachusetts. See my blog entry for September 9 for the text of the Suffolk Resolves. In adopting them the Congress added an unanimous resolution:
That this assembly deeply feels the suffering of their countrymen in the Massachusetts – Bay, under the operation of the late unjust, cruel, and oppressive acts of the British Parliament—that they most thoroughly approve the wisdom and fortitude, with which opposition to these wicked ministerial measures has hitherto been conducted, and they earnestly recommend to their brethren, a perseverance in the same firm and temperate conduct as expressed in the resolutions determined upon, at a meeting of the delegates for the county of Suffolk, on Tuesday, the 6th instant, trusting that the effect of the united efforts of North America in their behalf, will carry such conviction to the British nation, of the unwise, unjust, and ruinous policy of the present administration, as quickly to introduce better men and wiser measures.
The Congress also resolved unanimously that:
That contributions from all the colonies for supplying the necessities, and alleviating the distresses of our brethren at Boston, ought to be continued, in such manner, and so long as their occasions may require.
and ordered “That a copy of the above resolutions be transmitted to Boston by the president [and] That these resolutions, together with the resolutions of the County of Suffolk, be published in the newspapers.”
John Adams recorded in his diary “This was one of the happiest Days of my Life. In Congress We had generous, noble Sentiments, and manly Eloquence. This Day convinced me that America will support the Massachusetts or perish with her.”
Sources:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/llscd/lljc001/lljc001.pdf
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-02-02-0004-0006
On This Day In The Revolution 
3 responses to “On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — September 17, 1774”
The Continental Congress was eager to continue the “contributions from all the colonies for supplying the necessities” to Boston. I wonder what these “necessities” were. The colonies had no major manufacturing yet and wouldn’t have such for many years. I suppose most of their cloth and manufactured products were made in Europe. What about arms: weapons, gun powder, flints? What about liquors? Pickled Fish? Hats? Minted money? I wonder how well the citizens of Massachusetts fared without “necessities“? How many such things could be manufactured in America? How many could they do without? Clearly the other colonies were concerned for them.
LikeLike
Hi Ron, Sorry I did not respond to this earlier. I have read dozens of county level resolutions providing relief to the people of Boston subject to the blockade. Most of the aid was in the form of foodstuffs shipped to other Massachusetts ports and then carted into Boston. Lots of corn and wheat, herds of sheep driven into Boston, some clothing, and occasionally cash, although almost al of America had very limited cash, so that is the exception rather than the rule.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and research.
LikeLike