That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the act of Parliament for shutting up the port of Boston, and divesting some of the inhabitants of pri-

348 HISTORY OF THE

Tate property, is a most unparalled, rigorous and unjust piece of cruelty and despotism.

4th. That unanimity and firmness of measures in the Colonies, are the most effectual means to secure the invaded rights and privileges of America, and to avoid the impending ruin which now threatens this once happy country.

5th. That the most effectual mode of redressing our grievances, will be by a General Congress, of delegates from the different colonies, and that we are willing to abide by such measures as they in their wisdom shall consider necessary to be adopted on that important occasion.

By order of the committee,

Ebenezer Haviland, Chairman.

The committee for the town of Rye will meet the committees of the other towns and districts in the co. of Westchester, on Monday the 22d day of this instant, at the court house in the White Plains, to return an answer to a letter from Mr. Isaac Low, chairmain of the committee of correspondence in New York."

The Westchester resolutions were as follows :

"At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the Borough Town of Westchester, in New York, the 20lh of August, 1774, James Ferris, Esq., Col. Lewis Morris, and Capt. Thomas Hunt, were chosen a committee to meet a committee of the different towns and precincts within this county, at the White Plains, on Monday the 22nd inst., to consult on the expediency of appointing one or more delegates to represent this county at the General Congress, &c., and James Ferris Esq. being unanimously chosen chairman ; the committee after considering the very alarming situation of their suffering brethren at Boston, occasioned by the late unconstitutional, arbitrary and oppressive act of the British Parliament, for blocking up their port, as well as the several acts imposing taxes on the Colonies in order to raise a revenue in America, thought proper to adopt the following resolutions, which were unanimously agreed to: "resolved, 1st., that we do and will bear true allegiance to his majesty George the third.