Text Analysis: Summaries

Circular letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 13, 1774

This document discusses rights and liberties of the colonists. The Act of the British Parliament was passed in order to treat Boston in cruel and unjust ways. "The parliament have taken upon them, an Act to punish them, Unheard; which would have been in violation of natural justice even if they had an acknowledged jurisdiction." Colonist were mistreated by the parliament, but the parliament had power from the governor and other people to violate their natural justice and punish the colonists. The colonists were in search for their rights and liberties that were not being granted by the parliament and Great Britain. The British had a plan of an attack that would make colonies surrender their sacred rights and liberties to the ministry. The only problem was the colonists were smarter than that and thought of their very own plan; they would just all ban together in opposition to the parliament violations of their liberties.

Letter from the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 23, 1774

British Parliament could be compared to Boston, "an ancient and respectable town." Boston was always a place of freedom, until British parliament made violations of the rights of America. A large committee of fifty-one people was appointed by the Citizens of Boston to get together with the sister colonies in discussing the rights and the "matter of public moment." The letter of the committee of correspondence and entire vote of Boston was then taken into consideration by the sister colonies. "The cause is general, and concerns a whole continent, who are equally interested with you and us." The New York Committee of fifty-one wanted the Boston committee of correspondence to believe them in that they would continue to respect and have regard to American freedom, and to communicate in every way, shape or form to the sister colonies.

Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress; October 14, 1774

British parliament at the end of the last war, "claimed power, of right, to bind the people of America by statutes." In most cases they imposed taxes on the people of America for the purpose of raising the revenue. A statute that was made in the reign of King Henry the 8th many colonists would be shipped off to England, where they would be tried for "accusations for treasons and misprisions." By this time it was not looking good for the colonists because they were being accused of doing something in which they didn't; the colonists were merely asking for rights and liberties as Americans. "The last session of parliament, three statutes were made; one entitled, "An act to discontinue, another entitled, "An act for the better regulating the government of the province of Massachusetts-Bay in the New England;" and another entitled, "An act for the impartial administration of justice." These three statutes were just the beginning of more statutes that would later be made. All statutes were made, cruel, unjust and unconstitutional to American rights and liberties.