History of the Town of Fitchburg Rufus Torey 1836

(The conclusion of Fitchburg's remarkably worded public
declaration "on the side of liberty...-- because tyranny and
slavery are fundamentally repugnant to the British
Consititution." in 1773.)

But in declaring our present thoughts and resolutions, we
are moved by a principle of humanity and benevolence to the
people of Great Britgain, whose happiness is so involved
with ours that the oppressors and depredations endued on us
by tyrannical government, must be essentially detrimental to
them.  We therefore earnestly supplicate the Diety to
preserve them from political lethargy, and so from the most
shameful and miserable bondage.  And we are fond of having
our little obscure names associated with our American
bredthren as instruments in the hands of God, to save
Britain from that complete destruction which is now
meditating and visibly impending.  We wish, therefore, our
contrymen to join with us in praying for a spirit of
reformantion on the inhabitants both of England and America,
because righteousness is the exaltation and glory of any
society.  And we humbly hope that being so late in giving
our sentiments upon affairs so deeply interesting to the
America Colonies in general and to this Province in
particular, will not be imputed to our being unaffected with
the alarming and unconstitutional encroachments that have
been made upon our civil rights and privileges, -- for we
assure you we will not be wanting at all times according to
our small ability, in procuring and promoting all lawful and
consititutional measures proper for the continuance of all
our rights and priviliges, both civil and religious.  And we
think it our duty on this occasion, in behalf of ourselves
and our dear country, to express our unfeigned gratitude to
the respectable Gentlemen of the Town of Boston, for the
light and counsel that they have presented to us in their
circular letters, and their many generous efforts in the
defence of our privileges, and in the cause of liberty,--and
in our earnest prayers to Almighty God, that they may be
animated still to proceed and prosper in such a noble and
generous design, and finally may they recieve that most
ample and durable reward; --And that hese resolves be
recorded in our town book of records, and that the town
Clerk give an attested copy to the said committee, to be
communicated to the committee of correspondence for the town
of Boston.  And with respect to the East Tea -- forasmuch as
we are now informed that the town of Boston and neighboring
towns have made such noble opposition to said Tea's being
brought into Boston, subject to a duty so directly tending
to the enslaving of America -- it is our opinion that your
opposition is just and equitable; and the people of this
town are ready to afford all assistance in their power to
keep off all such infringements.  THOMAS COWDIN, Town Clerk


We learn from the above what the sentiment of the people of
this town were concerning the course which Great Britain was
pursuing towards her colonies.  They believed that it was
oppressive and unjust, and that they as freemen, ought by no
means to submit to it.  Though living far back in the
interior, they heartily responsded to the noble and
patriotic sentiments which animated the bosoms of the people
of Boston and acquired for their favorite place of meeting
(Faneuil Hall) that most beautiful of names -- the "Cradle
of Liberty."

We see also that with respect to the tax on tea, the
opinions of the people of this town accorded with those of
the inhabitants of Boston.  They were not only willing to
forego that luxury, but even to take up arms agaist it,
rather than submit in the least to an arbitrary mode of
taxation.  They offered support and assistance in an hour
when none but the most faithful remained firm.  They were
determined and courageous, but with their courage was
mingled discretion.  That their zeal had no kindred with
outrage is shown in the following instructions which they
gave to their representative, in May, 1774.  This
representative, Dr. John Taylor, of Lunenburg, was chosen
jointly by the towns of Lunenburg and Fitchburg and a
committee consisting of Isaac Gibson and Phinehas Hartwell,
of this town, and three gentlemen of Lunenburg, was directed
to draft instructions by which he should be governed in the
House of Representatives.  They were as follows:--

"DR. JOHN TAYLOR--Sir: As you are chosen by the towns of
Lunenburg and Fitchburg to represent them in the Great and
General Court for the present year, we think it our duty,
under the present alarming circumstances of public affairs,
to give you the following instructions, viz: -- That you
bear testimony against all riotous practices, and all other
unconstitutional proceedings, and that you do not, by any
means whatsoever, either directly or indirectly give up any
of our charter rights and privileges, and that you use your
endeavors that those that we have been abridged of may be
restored to us, and that you use your influence that
provision be made for the discountenanceing all
unwarrantable practices with resposet to bribery in those
that set themselves up as candidates for representative for
the people, with by the way of treats or entertainments,
which may have been too frequent a practice in many
places,-- and further, we would have you move in the General
Assembly that there might be a Congress and union with all
the Provinces, and in case anything extraordinary should
happen or appear that you should immediately notify your
consitiuents.  There are many thing of lesser importance
that we must leave discretionary with yourself, trusting
that you will often revolve in your mind how great a trust
is devolved upon you, and that you will give constant
attendance, so far as you are able to the business to which
you are appointed; -- and we hope that you will be actuated
by a spirit of impartiality, free from private view and
sinister ends."

(Sribe's comment: I find these examples of 1773 written
English amazing considering that in Part 22 of this series
we find the following referring to the establishment of
fiscal priorities in the brand new town of Fitchburg.  "it
must be acknowledged that they did not exhibit that zeal in
the cause of education which its importance demanded, and
which might be reasonably expected from them....In 1765 it
was voted that two schools should be kept in the town during
the ensuing winter, and the sum of three pounds ($10) was
appropriated to this purpose.")  

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