Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1927-03-04
Steps Toward Uuion of the
American Colonies
Continued from page two.)


fected in May 1854. Such meet
ings favored united effort, while
the presses vchemently voiced and
created public opinion regarding
the matter. Meanwhile "the Sons
of Liberty formed associations
TO resist, by all lawful means, the
execution of the Stamp Act. A
congress in bold resistance to the
Stamp Act met in New York.
Twenty-eight delegates from nine
colonies were present. They OBJ
jected to taxation without repre-
sentation and resolved TO petition
parliament. The Sons of Liberty
pledged armed resistance. We
cannot overlook the publications of
James Otis that did so much to
voice and create public opinion.
The Townsend Revenue Acts, de
signed to go into effect in 1867,
were intended to establish the
principle that parliament had alb
solute power over the colonies.
This effected a still further devel-
opment of the sentiment of union
by inter-colonial correspondence,
and caused public opinion to be
permanently established in Ameri-
ca as a power in the political
world.
When the people were rejoicing
that the Stamp Act had been re-
pealed Jonathan MAYHEM, a Boston
divine, proposed that the Massa
chusetts Assembly should send
congratulatory letters to the other
assemblies, and in these express a
desire to cultivate union.
In 1856 the Assembly of Massa-
chusetts adopted a circular letter
drawn up by Samuel Adams, sug-
costing united action in petition
ing the king. They invited thf
correspondence of the other as
semblies, four of which heartily
approved their proposal. The roy
atty demanded that they recind
tie letter, but the Assembly refus-
ed to do so.
The action following the Roy
al Order TO treat the circular let
ter with contempt, illustrated the
oneness of spirit and principle"
which promoted the growth OF the
sentiment of Union.
The House of Burgesses in Vir-
ginia resolved; that they exercised
tie sole right of taxation; that it
was their privilege to petition the
Sovereign, and secure the "con-
currcnce of the other colonies, :"
etc. These resolves were endorsed
by most of the other assemblies.
Propositions for union We're
constantly appearing. Pownal pre-
sented such plan. The Presby-
terians advocated such movement
resulting in a union between the
congregations of Pennsylvania and
Delaware.
IIutchison and Livingston pro-
phecied an American Constitution,
and Adams, Turgot, AID others
fOresaW independence.
Nou-important agreements on
certain articles were agitated per-
iodically, and attained no great
end and though they welded quite
an influence in favor Of the senti-
ment Of union.
The blood she'd in Boston by
British soldiers in March. OF ITO
after which the troops removed by
force stirred the hearts Of the pa
triots toward an end that they
could not clearly see. The propo.
sal of union was again brought up
this time by Samuel Adams.
In l772, in Fanueil Hall, com-
niitec Of correspondence was or
ganized to state the rights OF the
colonies. and to Communicate
and publish all matters relating
20 such. Thus the system of com
mitieca Of local correspondence
WIS inaugurated. They multiple
cd nd widened until they "cou-
s,itutcd the accredited organs OF
the party that founded the Repub.
Tic Of the United States" This &C.
ton Of Boston proved to be the be.
ginning of the first national par
/ tya
I'm l773 six colonies, including
the stale Of Virginia which united
such action. formed a commission
strongly recommending union
Their action "struck a greater
panic into the ministers than any
thing that had been brought about
since tho Stamp Act. Theirs was
a coll for union and congress.
The love of liberty fiually
brought ont the drawings of q
I s,,..,,4 cr rott,uafitv The Qna.