The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-10-23
A "Reminiscences Of Oldcn Time.

We are indebted to friend for the fol-
lowing paper, copied from the town records
of Westerly. 1t shows the patriotism
which animated the people of that town in
the commencement of those aggressions
which led to the severance of the ties be-
tween the colonies and the mother country.
At town meeting especially called and
held at the dwelling house Of Major Ed
ward Bliven, in Westerly, in the county
of Kings County, February I'd, A. d.,
1774.
The Hon. Samuel Ward, Esq, chosen
Moderator. The Moderator and several
other gentlemen laid before the meeting
the vast importance Of civil and religious
liberty to society, and then stated the ma
tural and constitutional rights and privi-
leges of the colonists, and the many in
fringements of those rights by several acts
of Parliament for raising revenue in
America, and other unconstitutional pur-
poses, upon which the Moderator, Joshua
Babcock, Esq, Mr., James Rhodes, Col.
William Pendleton, Mr.. George Sheffield,
Oliver Crary, Esq, and Capt Benjamin
Park, were appointed Committee to take
the important subjects before the meeting,
or to their consideration, and report as
soon as may be what measures will be pro-
per for the town to take in the present
alarming situation of the colonies.
The meeting was adjourned for few
hours, and the frecmen being again assem-
blcd, the Committee reported the follow
ing resolves, all which were unanimously
received and voted:
Resolved, lst That our ancestors being
oppressed in their native country, and de-
sired the liberty of worshiping God ac-
cording to the dictates Of their conscience,
had a natural and just right to emigrate
from Britain to this or any other part Of
the world.
ID That upon their arrival in America
they found the country in the actual pos
session Of the Indian natives, who had the
sole and absolute jurisdiction Of the same,
and perfect and exclusive ri ght and pro-
perty in the soil and its produce Of every
kind.
Sd. That they purchased the soil, and
with it the jurisdiction of the country, Of
the Sachems, the then sole lords and pro-
prietors thereof, and accordingly became
possessed of an exclusive natural and just
right and property in the same, with right
to improve or dispose of the same and all
its various produce in any manner which
they choose, and mi ght have incorporated
themselves into distinct or separate socie-
ties or governments without any conncxion
with any European power whatever.
4th. That their attachment to their ma
tive country and its excellent constitution,
made them forget their former sufferings,
hope for better times, and put themselves
and the vast territory which they had ac-
quired under the allegiance Of the Crown
of England, upon express condition that
all their natural, civil and religious rights
and privileges should be secured to them
and their heirs forever. This security was
solemnly granted and confirmed according
ly in their respective charters, with all
the liberties and immunities of free and
natural subjects within any of the domin-
ions of the then King of England, &c, his
heirs or successors, to all intents, construc-
tions and purposes whatsoever, as if they
or every one of them had been born within
the Realm of England" And these pri-
vilegcs have been since confirmed by scve-
raj acts of Parliament.
9TH That the charter of this colony dotl
in the strongest manner possible, gran
unto the inhabitants thereof, all thosC
rights and privileges, with complete juris
diction within the territory they had pur.
chased, and an entire exemption from al
services, duties, taxes, forfetures, claims
and demands whatsoever, except the fftl
part Of all the ore of gold and silver founC
in the colony, which is reserved in lieu o
these duties. The General Assembly
therefore of this colony have the sole ant
exclusive right to lay taxes and impost,
upon the inhabitants thereof
9th. That the act of the British 2 ar
lament claiming right to make law.
binding upon the colonies in all cases what.
soever, is inconsistent with the natural con-
stitutional and charter rights and privilege;
of the inhabitants of this colony.
7th That the acts of Parliament for
bidding us to transport our wool by water
from one town to another or prohi bitino