History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I

" TTTE the subscribers being desirous to convince mankind that ' " we are firmly attached to our most hajipy constitution, "and are disposed to support and maintain peace and good order under I " his Majesty's government, do therefore declare, that our sovereign lord •'king George the third, is tlie only sovereign to whom llritish Ameiica " may, can, or ought to owe and bear true and faithful allegiance, and "that there is no legal power or authority therein but what is duly "derived from him ; that our representatives in Genei-al Assembly con- " vened, are the only guardians of our rights and liberties ; that without " them no laws can here he made to bind us, and that they only are the " channel tbrotigh which our grievances can properly be represented for " redress, and that to support their right and authority,' we do hereby " associate and mutually covenant and engage to and with each other " as follows, namely :

" Fiffl. That wc will upon all occasions stand by and assist each other "in the defence of his life, liberty and property, when ever the same " shall be attacked or endangered by any bodies of men riototisly assem- " bled, tipon any pretence or any authority whatsoever, not warrantetl " by the laws of the land,

** .SecoM*/, That wc will upon all occasions mutually support each "other in the free exercise and enjoyment of oui- undoubted right to " liberty, in eating, drinking, buying, selling, communing and acting " what, with whom, and as we please, consistent with the laws of God, " and the laws of the land, notwithstanding the association entered into " by the Continental Congress to the continry.