In our little town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, we are surrounded by history. Battlefields, colleges, buildings that were erected more than three hundred years ago. Part of the history is kept alive by re-enactments and events which celebrate the people and ideas that birthed a nation.
In May, 1774, the citizens of Chestertown, Maryland were enraged by the tax on their tea from England, and like the Boston citizenry in December of 1773, they angrily boarded a ship, loaded with tea, and threw it overboard in protest. In contrast to our more fiery northern compatriots, the people of Chestertown passed the Resolves:
1st – RESOLVED, that we acknowledge his majesty George III, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, to be our rightful and lawful sovereign to whom we owe and promise all dutiful allegiance and submission.
2nd – RESOLVED, that no duties or taxes can constitutionally be imposed on us, but by our own consent, given personally, or by our representatives.
3rd – RESOLVED, that the act of the British parliament of the 7th of George III, chapter 46, subjecting the colonies to the payment of a duty on tea, for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, is unconstitutional, oppressive and calculated to enslave the Americans.
4th – RESOLVED, therefore, that whoever shall import, or in any way aid or assist in importing, or introducing from any part of Great Britain, or any other place whatsoever, into this town or country, any tea subject to the payment of a duty imposed by the aforesaid act of Parliament. Or, whoever shall wilfully and knowingly sell, buy or consume, or in any way assist in the sale, purchase, or consumption of any tea imported as aforesaid subject to a duty, he, or they, shall be stigmatized as enemies to the liberties of America.
5th – RESOLVED, that we will not only steadily adhere to the foregoing resolves, but will endeavor to excite our worthy neighbors to a like patriotic conduct, and whoever, amongst us, shall refuse his concurrence, or after complying, shall desert the cause, and knowingly deviate from the true spirit and meaning of these our resolutions, we will mark him out as inimical to the liberties of America, an unworthy member of the community, and a person not deserving our notice or regard.
6th – RESOLVED, that the foregoing resolves be printed, that our brethren in this and the other colonies, may know our sentiments as they are therein contained.
Signed by order of the Committee, W. Wright, Clerk
(Wikipeadia)
The Resolves don't make a lot of sense to my mind - first they acknowledge the sovereign who upsets them, next, they incite rebellion against him. Perilous times, indeed.
Perilous times are now celebrated with parades and re-enactments. A few photos from our day:
The British are coming!
And the Minutemen are already here!
This picture sums up the Shore - history, tractors and boats.
My soldiers - Josephine and JMichael.
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