Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/551

No. 184] people of the Massachusetts Bay, followed by General Gage's proclamation, declaring almost the whole of the Inhabitants of the United Colonies, by name, or description, Rebels and Traitors, are sufficient causes to arm a free people in defence of their Liberty, and to justify resistance, no longer dictated by prudence merely, but by necessity, and leave no alternative but base submission or manly opposition to uncontroulable Tyranny. The Congress chose the latter, and for the express purpose of securing & defending the United Colonies and preserving them in Safety, against all attempts to carry the above mentioned Acts into Execution by Force of Arms, Resolved, that the said Colonies be immediately put into a State of Defence, and now supports at the joint expense, an army to restrain the further violence and repel the future attacks of a disappointed and exasperated Enemy. —We therefore, Inhabitants of the Province of Maryland, firmly persuaded that it is necessary and justifiable to repel Force by Force, do approve of the opposition by arms to the British Troops employed to enforce obedience to the late acts and statutes of the British Parliament, for raising a Revenue in America, and altering and changing the Charter and Constitution of the Massachusetts Bay, and for destroying the essential securities for the Lives, Liberties and properties of the Subjects in the United Colonies. And We do unite and associate, as one Band & firmly and solemnly engage and pledge ourselves to each other and to America, that we will, to the utmost of our power, promote and support the present opposition carrying on as well by Arms, as by the Continental Association restraining our Commerce. —

And as in these times of Public danger, and until a Reconcilliation with Great Britain on Constitutional Principles is effected (an event, we most ardently wish may soon take place) the energy of Government may be greatly impaired, so that even Zeal unrestrained may be productive of Anarchy & confusion ; We do in like manner unite, associate and solemnly engage, in maintenance of good order, and the public peace, to support the civil power in the due execution of the Laws, so far as may be consistent with the present plan of opposition, and to defend with our utmost power all persons from every species of outrage to themselves or their property, and to prevent any punishment, from being inflicted on any offenders, other than such, as shall be adjudged by the Civil Magistrate, the Continental Congress, our Convention, Council of Safety, or Committees of observation.