The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-05-05
A QUAINT SHEET.
A Boston Newspaper lis Years OId-The
biggest Boycott on Record.


biggest Boycott on Record.
VIM. t. )nes, of Elkton, the father
of Detective VIM. T. Jones, of Whining
ton, has in his possession copy of the
Boston Gazette and Country Journal,
dated Monday, March 18th, 1770. The
paper has been bequeathed as an heir
loom for several generations. The paper
is four page sheet about IL by 1G inches
and is in good state of preservation.
MIR. Jones values it almost beyond price
and would only let it go out of his hands
upon the assurance that the best of care
would be taken of it.
1t is quaint little sheet but withal
newsy. Even in those days newspapers
spread themselves" on sensations. Il
devoses a page and column to the
famous Boston massacre when crash
between the British sodiery and the
town-folks resulted in the killing of four
of the latter, namely: Crispus Attucks,
mulatto, James Caldwell Samuel Nave
rick, and a man named Gray. The Jour
nal at the end of the article, parades
four black coffins with skeletons and
crossbones before it's readers.
To show that the boycott is not a new
weapon as many people suppose, it will
only be necessary to quote part of res
olution adopted by the merchants and
traders of Boston to bring to terms those
tradesman who dealt in British goods.
The resolutions are worth repeating as
showing the spirit which animated our
forefathers and finally resulted in the
resolution for independence. They read:
WHEREAS, The merchants and traders of the
| town OF Boston and almost all the maritime
| towns of the continent, from principle truly
| noble and generous, and in the sacrificing OF
| their private interests, have entered into
| agreement not to import British goods IA few
necessary articles excepted) until the act of par
| Lament imposing certain duties on tea, glass,
painters colors, &C., for the express purpose OF
| raising revenue in America, be repealed; which
agreement, if strictly adhered to, will not fail to
| produce the most salutary etiscts. Therefore,
|
VOTED, That we do with the utmost adherence
1
conduct of few traders in this province, who
have and still do import British goods contrary
said agreements. We have thereby discovered
that they are governed by selfish spirit and are
| regardless of the miseries and calamites which
threaten this people.
| VOTED That whereas John Barnard, James
| McMasters, Patrick McMasters, John Men, Ma
| thaniel Rogers, William -, Theophius Lille,
| John Taylor, Alice and Elizabeth Cummins, all
| of Boston; Israel Williams, Esq., and son OF Hat
field; and Henry Barnes, of Marlboro, are OF this
number and do import contrary to said agree
| ment; we do hereby declare, that We will not buy
the least article OF any of said persons ourselves
| or suffer any acting for us or under us to buy
| them; neither will we buy OF those that shall buy
or exchange any articles of goods with them.
VOTED, That to the end the generations which
are unborn, may know whe they were that laugh
ed at the distresses and calamities of this peo-
pie; and instead of striving to save their country
when in imminent danger, did strive to render
Intellectual a virtuous and commendable plan
The names of these importers shall be annually
read at March meeting.
VOTED, That we will not make use of any for
eign teas in our several families until the revenue
acts are repealed ceases of sickness excpted).
This is the beginning of the biggest
and the most successful boycott on
record.
Among the advertisements are several
curious specimens written in that quaint
style peculiar to that time. John Baker,
in one advertisement and without any
break, makes known that he has cocoa
and chocolate to sell and that he has lost
boat, "a Moses built boat. Whoever
shall bring her to said Baker, shall be
satisfied for their trouble"
Zenas Smith, of Abingdon, words his
advertisement, for lost money thus ::
"Lost OH Saturday the Sd of this instant
March between 5 and 10 of the clock III
the morning, five Johannes or Josephus's S,
or both, loose out of my pocket, between
my dwelling house in Abingdon and the
widow Susanna Richardson's in Roxbury
whoever shall take up said pieces of
money, and will give information to the
printers hereof, or to the subscriber shall
have $40 reward or 50 for each piece,
paid by me the subscriber" Unfortu-
nateIy the advertisement does not say
whether or not Zenas was making love to
the widow and wanted to present her
with the money.
The paper is filed with similar infor-
nation which makes delightful reading
in this age.