The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-14
A LITERARY CURIOSITY.
A Paper Published Over One Hundred
Years Ago---An Idea OF What
1t Contains.

Years Ago---An Idea OF What
1t Contains.
Mrs. John Long, living out on the
eastern heights. has literary curiosity
which is worthy of the preservation she
has given it. 1t is paper which has
passed down through her family from
generation to generation since its publ
cation. 1t is styled the Boston Gazette
and Country Journal, and was published
in Boston. Monday, March 1a, 1770.
On the title page appears the following;
Copyright secured" Containing the
freshest advises. foreign and domestic.
Prominent among the articles on the first
page is the report of meeting which is
headed thus; AT meeting of the free
holders and other inhabitants of the town
of Roxbufy, legally assembled on Monday,
the 5th day of March, 1770, the inhabi>
tants taking into consideration clause
in the warrant for calling said meeting;
and to know the minds of the town
whether they will do ANYTHING to
strengthen the hands of the merchants of
their own importation agreement" The
report goes on to designate the appoint
ment of committee to act in the matter
and the submission by that committee of
q preamble and resolutions, the substance
of which is that inasmuch as the mer.
chants and traders of the town of Boston
and almost all maritime towns on the
continent from principle truly noble
and generous and TO the sacri>
flee of their own private interests,
have entered into an agreement
not to import British goods Ga few
necessary things expected) until the act
of parliament imposing certain duties on
tea etc. be repealed. 1t is further voted
therefore that the town highly applaud
the conduct and resolution of the mer-
chants and traders, Of the colonies to
these laws The other resolutions which
are gwen below SHOW that the powerful
weapon, boycott, is not an instrument of
this dsv alone hut was nsed in those
0o'oi'''' '''no'' VIM" INT hA''o" was Se'
unborn The resolutions continue;
Voted, That we do with the utmost
adherence and detestation view the lit
tie. mean and partial conduct of a few
traders in this province who have,
and still do import British
goods contrary to said agreement, and
and have thereby discovered that they are
governed by selfish spirit and are re
CARELESS of. and deaf to the mlseries and
calamities which threaten this people.
Voted That whereas, john Barnard,
James McMastors, Patrick McMasters,
John Mein, Nathaniel Rogers, William
Jackson, Theobilus Lille. John Taylor,
and Annie aud Elizabeth Cummings, all
OF Boston, Israel Williams and son, OF
Hatfield, and Henry Barnes, of Marlboro,
are of this number, and do import
contrary to said agreement; We do here>
oy declare that we VIII not BUY Tie least
80" l,i Va ~ y, '''', aloio''ine' OI'
MS to buy of them. neither will we buv
of those that shall buy or exchange any
articles OF goods win them.
800. - W - 1' ~ 81
that launched at the distress and c,lami-
ties of this people, and instead of striv-
ing 10 save 'heir country "heh In lmnll
uaIlv yir,rons md conmordahla Nan.
the names of these importers shall be an
nually read at the March meeting.
Voted, That we will not make use of any
foreign teas IN our several laui'iieS uhtll
tnoss axcontn n1
Voted. That committee of inspection
be chosen to make inquiry from time TO
time how far these votes are complied
with.
Voted. That a copy OF THESE votes be
transmitted to the committee of insPec'
ton in the entire town of Boston
Inc hfSt page oil Tue paper Is flade up
oI reports VI hi'e''uSS "hei' 'e'tai"
No'es' as 'neS were o"i'e'i' "''e 'uop'>
eu' couueuihiuS 'iie s'ie'ou' '''iPoS'''o"s
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