Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-26
NOTABLE MEN AND MEASURES

AND MEASURES 1 fourteen years, and until within two years of his death.
 Another Lebanon, man, impulsive l and ardent, and fitted to inspire others with enthusiasm, was William | Williams. With tongue and pen and 1 estate,' we are told, The gave himself I to the cause of the colonists." During the gloomy winter of TIT, ] he sent beef, cattle and gold to Val- l ley Forge, saying, if independence pay; if not the loss would be of no account to him.
 With such men active in the patri-- otic old town, it is to be expected that its statute books should contain such resolutions as the following: At a town meeting held 7th, Dec. 1767, letter received from the select i, and ruinous duties laid various ar ticles, and calling for union in some measure of relief.
 Jonathan Trumbull. the selectman, and others, were appointed a commit- tee, by themselves, or in concert with committees from neighboring towns, to consider and devise such measures and means, as may more effectual.y
 
 try, economy and manufactures" Under the expressions bearing heav fly on it as port, Boston appealed to Lebanon; and the latter town came into full sympathy and concert with 1t.
 At freemen's meeting Monday, April g, 1770, following the 'tBoston Massacre" of the 5th of March, after other business, 1t is recorded that the Lebanon passed draft of resolves, or declara- tion, of the sense of the rights and liberties which we look upon as in fringed by parliament.-and promoting manufactures, etc"
 The text of these resolves" is the very spirit and tone of the Declaration of independence, although this was six years before the Declaration of In- dependence was made. They perpet- uate the sense the old town had of it's peoples liberties, resolves which "have gone into history and were embodied, indeed, in the men who acted here. They reveal the hand of the firm. fiery patriot William Williams; they were undoubtedly drafted by him, as they are in his handwriting in the town records"
 It shows the earnestness which pre- vailed in Lebanon, that in August of the same year, TITO, a. town meeting
 
 delegates to a general meeting of the mercantile and landed interests at New Haven, to consider proper means and measures to support the non importation agreement and the ala rmins conduct of New York in vio- lating the same.
 The townsmen voted unanimously to send two delegates to the convention making choice of William Williams and Joshua West, a committee or representatives of the same. They then voted and passed a declaration instruction and resolve, that the non importation agreement. which had taken place in the American colonies was ''virtuous, salutary and patriotic powerfully tending to procure a re- dress of our grievances"
 The resolutions being unanimously passed, the meeting made choice of Dr. John Clark, William Williams, Josiah Rockwell, Benjamin Bill, Capt Elijah Sprague, Charles Hfncxiey, Deacon Samuel Bartlett, and AnseI Clark (persons from the different parts of the town) ito observe and inspect the conduct of all persons respecting their violating the true in tent and meaning of said non -impor- tation agreement. and to use all lawful and prudent measures to prevent the
 
 cretion when they judge requisite, to publish the names of such person or persons, if any shall be found, who have violated and enumerated the same, and as occasion shall require, to correspond with the Committees of neighboring towns for the like salutary purpose and design.
 Then-was asked whether he had purchased or not Tea of Rhode Ts- land importer; he owned he had tea from Rhode Island etc. but yet he would not purchase any more there, or otherwise contrary to the Agreement, | etc, and would store what he had, i etc, and thereupon the Town voted it | and dismissed
 Commenting upon which, the His ! torian Hine writes: This was evi- l dently a hot place for tories and half | hearted patriots"
 From that time on. there was no 1 town in the country which manifested | more activity along the lines of pat riotism and preparedness than did | Lebanon.
 With men of such ability and firm ness and distinction as leaders, it was rot surprising that the place became in all colonial affairs, or hat it should have furnished Gov ernor to whom General Washington ,o3d turn with confidence, when na- ional conditions became grave. and anxiety for the fate of the young Republic grew acute.
 The dignity, soIidity, resources, 'romptness in aid of Lebanon aston Il shed those visitors who sought the | Ldvice of Trumbull in his pain. but wonderful War Office: and the passing if the years does not diminish the wonder which arises, as in this day nen look back over the events in which the old town stood out so prom nently for it's independence initia- i've and sturdy patriotism.
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