On this day 250 years ago in New York City, the Committee of Sixty met to elect delegates to a Provincial Convention and to issue a circular letter to the counties, drafted by John Jay, which called on the other counties to send delegates to the Provincial Convention and set April 20 for the Convention to convene.
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Also on this day 250 years ago, a “full meeting of the Inhabitants” of the Town of Braintree, Massachusetts, voted to approve the recommendation of the Braintree Committee of the Continental Association, chaired by John Adams, that the Town form “three Companies of Minute Men each to consist of Forty one Men including officers”. In addition, the Town unanimously adopted a Covenant that pledged to implement the Continental Association including
to do every thing in our power to confirm and establish that union which at this time so happily Subsists among our Selves not only in this Town and Colony but also throughout the Continent
. . .
And We do further agree and resolve that We will not have any trade, dealings, Commerce, or intercourse with any District, Town, Colony, or Province in North America which shall not acceed to, or which shall hereafter violate said association of the Continental Congress, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of Freemen, and as inimical to the Liberties of their Country.
And whereas it is of the utmost importance that the Salutory association of the Continental Congress be effectually executed; and the plans of the foes to America defeated, who aided by Tyrannical power intend to import goods, wares and Merchandize prohibited by said association, by assistance of such Merchants and Traders as to this intent shall basely prostitute themselves; . . .
And whereas it is expresly recommended by the Continental Congress to the Provincial Conventions and to the Committees in the respective Colonies, to establish such farther regulations as they may think proper for carrying into execution their association,
. . . it is strongly recommended to the Committee . . . of this association, that they exert themselves in causing the same to be strictly executed, . . .
And it advised to the inhabitants of this Town that they by no means fail vigorously to assist and Support their Committees in discharging this as well as all other duties of their offices.
. . .
And We Solemnly, individually and Collectively bind our Selves under the ties aforesaid, to adhere to this association
Sources: “I. Report of the Braintree Committee on the Continental Association, 15 March 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-02-02-0078-0002. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 2, December 1773 – April 1775, ed. Robert J. Taylor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1977, pp. 396–402.]; “II. Report of the Braintree Committee respecting Minute Men, 15 March 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-02-02-0078-0003. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 2, December 1773 – April 1775, ed. Robert J. Taylor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1977, pp. 402–403.
On This Day In The Revolution 