The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-10-31

flames of revolution and the wedge
that severed forever the close relation
between England and thirteen of her
American colonies. All the protest OF
the colonies, the entreaties of the Lon
don merchants and the advice of the
men who knew the character of the
American people awaited nothing
The passage of the stamp act caused
great excitement At first men, news
papers and towns were cautious of
what they said or did, but as Novem-
/ Der 1st drew near people became more
brave and resolute. Every colony de-
clared 1t would not submit to the act.
The people refused to use stamps or
stamped paper, so all business ceased
for a while. All the courts were closed,
vessels were prevented from doing
their ordinary work, young people re-
fused to be married, in fact the social
as well as the business life was sud
denly paralyzed.
Few thought of rebellion, for all
knew that England was stronger than
they, but blessed hope pointed out a
peaceful but sure way of obtaining
their rights. AS Great Britain carried
on large commerce with her colonies,
anything that stopped her trade would
influence men who in turn could con-
troll parliament. The New York mer-
chants fOresaW this result, SO accord
ingly they stopped trading with Eng
land, Those of Boston, Norwich and
Philadelphia soon followed their lead.
Not only did the merchants show on
which side they were, but many of the
people gave up their foreign luxuries,
while domestic manufactures flour
ished
In Philadelphia the people refrained
from eating mutton so as to use the
wool for clothing; while the "Pennsyl-
vania Journal and Weekly Advertiser"
notified it's readers that while the
stamp act was in force it would cease
to exist. In Annapolis, Philadelphia,
New York, Boston, New Haven, New
Milford and other places the stamp
masters had to give up their offices.
In Connecticut Governor Fitch, ia
red Ingersoll and others who We're
strongly opposed to the stamp act, adj
vised the colonists to yield In this
crisis the clergy, who were decidedly
against the recent action of parliament
and who knew the feeling of their pa
rishioners, led the people. Under the
name Of Sons of Liberty" societies
were organized whose object was to re-
sist the stamp act by violence if neces-
sary The Sons of Liberty, in Norwich,
met under a tree which is known as
the Liberty tree.
Mr.. Ingersoll, although he had done
all he could to prevent the enactment
of the stamp act, accepted the office of
stamp master. Franklin advised him
to do this, but the people objected
The Sons of Liberty asked him to re-
sign, but he refused to do so until the
assembly compelled him. At last
party of citizens from Norwich, New
London, New Haven, Windham, Leb-
anon and other towns met Ingersoll at
Wethersfield; cut off all ways of re-
treat; and then let him know that they
We're not trifling. He did not consider
the cause worth his life so he signed
formal resignation. The company
dined together and then escorted In
gersoll to Hartford where he publicly
read his resignation in the courthouse.
The Connecticut Legislature sent an
address to parliament through their
agents in London with instructions to
"firmly insist on the exclusive right of
the colonies to tax themselves
New Haven was greatly agitated
over the proceeding. 1t was next to
Boston in the New England states in
its decided action against Great Brit
ain. In Norwich all the citizens be-
longed to the Sons of Liberty.
In Litchfield nearly all the people
were against the stamp act On Feb
ruary 1, 1866, a meeting of forty or fifty
Freedom Sons of Liberty was held in
the courthouse at Litchfeld. AL
though there was opposition, they
elected five agents to meet with other
agents of the county on the second
in February. The resolutions
passed by the county agents are
thought by some to rival those of the
Declaration of Independence" in their
boldness and beauty of expression.
Their declaration, although patriotic
and loyal, was full of love of good or
der and just regard for the law.
Litchfield people did not believe in |
mobs even when they were fashionable. |
If they cherished the thought of sepa- |
rating from England, they did not |
openly speak of it.
The following is a copy of the origi- |
nal resolutions:
'At meeting of the inhabitants of |
almost all the Towns in Litchfield
county, convened by their Agents in
Litchfield on the Second Tuesday in
February, 1866, for the Purpose of CIV
ng the clearest manifestation of their
liked and most ardent Desires to pre-
serve, as far as in them lies, those in
lerent Rights and Privileges which es-
;entially belong to them as a Free Peo-
Die, and which are founded upon the
Basis of the British Consti-
ution, and have been confirmed by the
most solemn Sanctions, and of their
to promote according to
heir ability the public Peace and
which have been greatly
disturbed by the most alarming In
upon their Rights the fol-
owing Sentiments were unanimously
greed in:
81. That they entertain the highest
Regard and Veneration for those just
nd virtuous Resolutions made by the
Ion. House of Representatives of this
'olony in October last, expressing the
DUTY and faithful Allegiance which
hey and the Inhabitants of this Colony |