USA > Delaware > History of Delaware : 1609-1888 > Part 52
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"I. That it is the indispensable duty of all the colours, not only to alleviate tive unesampled distress of our brethren of Massachusetts Bay, who are anfienug in the counnon cause of Amettea, but to assist them by all lawful trans in removing their grievances, and for re-establishing their constitutional rights, as well as those of all America, on a solid and permanent foundation.
"8. That it ty one fixed, deterunned and unalterable resolution, by all lawful ways and meine in our power, to mantun, defend and preserve our before-mentioned rights and liberties, atui that we will transmit them emdire and inviolata to our posterity ; and, turther, that we will adopt and faithfully carry into execution, all and singular, such peace- able and constitutional measures as have been agreed upon by this Congress.
"9. That we are unfeignedly thankful to those truly noble, honour- able and patriotick advocates in theart Button, who have w generously and powerfully, though un-necessfully, response and defended the cause of America, both in and out of Parlament, that we still tret the warmest affection for our brethren in the parent state ; and that it is our opinatt, as it is our hope, that the cool and dispassionate among our fellow-objects in Great Britain will appland our measures aud co-opriate with fis in every mauly struggle for the por os ; vation of those our tights, with which their own are so mulinistely contr . ted.
" And, further, we do Hust earnestly reco mmend it to our sind Depn- ties to use their most earnest etid- wors to prevail with the Deputies from other colomes tu framne dreht and breeding petitions to his must prions Majesty, and to both Houses of Parliament, for the recipes of all our grievances, and to agree to a ton importation of goods from, and tion-exportation to, Great Britain, until rebef shall be obtained.
" Notwithstanding and thing bereitbefore mentioned, it is not our meaning that by these structions oursaid Deputies should be restrained from agreeing to any masmes that shall be approved by the Congress, '
These delegates were sent to Congress with a clear understanding of the sentiments of their constitu- It is altogether proper that Delawareans of the present day should refer with a conscious glow of pride to these resolutions ; for while the programme ents. The convention adopted a set of revolu- tions, which they were directed to press upon the attention of Congress and endeavor to have of the convention measured up to the fullest
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exigencies of the crisis in 1774, its members fore- burdens under which the Americans suffered. saw that British oppresions, if continued, would Mr. MeKean was made a member of the com- mittre to revise the minutes of Congress, and for several weeks was closely engaged in Philadelphia in the performance of the duty. demand a stronger policy than that of protest and non-intercourse. Therefore the delegates were given their freedom to join with such further resistance as the majority of the Congress might deem wise, and they were thus solemnly assured that the patriots at home would sustain them in any length to which they might go for the vindi- cation of American rights. By this move Dela- ware was placed on the front line of the struggle, and there could be no doubt of her willingness to follow wherever it might lead.
The New Castle County committee was as- sembled at New Castle on November 28, 1774, with JJohn MeKinly as chairman and David Thompson as clerk, when the " Association " entered into by Congress was approved, and the people were especially recommended to fully and faithfully comply with the eighth, ninth, and thirteenth articles, which were as follows :
"8. That we will, in our several stations, encourage frugality, conomy atul industry and promote agnenlinte, arts and the manufacturer of the-country, especially that of wool; and will discountenance and dis- courage every species of extravagante and dissipation, especially all lanse-racing, and all kinds of gaming, unk fighting, exhibitions of playa, shews and other expensive diversions and entertainment; and on the death of any relative mt friend, none of 1,4, or any of our fam- iljes, will go into any further moniming dress than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat for gentlemen, and a black nbbon or neck- lice for ladies, and will discontinue the giving of gloves and scarfs at inherals.
"9. That such as are venders of goods or merchandise will not take advantage of the scarcity of goods that may be occasioned by this Asso- ciation, but will sell the same at the rates we have been respectively ac. customed to for twelve months last past. And if any vender of goods or norchandre shall sell any such guil on higher terms of shall. in any manner, or by any devisu what-oever, violate or depart hom this Agree- ment, no person naught, nor will any of its deal with any such person, or his or her factor or agent, at any time thereafter for any commodity whatever.
"13. That all manufactures of this country be sold at rea-onalde pures, so that no undue advantage be taken of a future scarcity of goods."
The committee met again on December 21st and resolved,
" That j urswant to an intimation given by the said Continental Con- gress, as well as irem a full per-nasion that a well-regulated nuhtia. composed of the gentlemen. fierholders and other firemen. is the uat- ural strength and stable security of a tree government ; therefore, it is recommended by this Commi tee to such of the mhabitants of this county as Are from Jo to 50 years of age, that they assemiddle them- wolves on the second Tuesday in Jarmary next, at such places as shall be appointed by the Committees of their respective fundteda, and then and there as-onate and enroll themselves into cant ates of not less than fifty nor more than seventy five men, according as the several dis- tricts will admit, and choose a Captain, two Lieutenants, an Ensign, foot Sergeants, two Corporals and one drummer for each company ; and ne ileir ntmost endeavors to make then selves masters of the military exercise. That each man be provided with a well-fixed firelock and bayonet; half a pound of powder, two pounds of lead, and a cartouch box of powder horn, and bag for tall, and be in Tendiness to art in any emergency.
This was the address which embraced the proviso that "we will neither import nor purchase any dave imported after the 1st day of December " That the ciminutters of the re-pective Hundreds do divide the same into suitable districts, as they severally will admit of. next ; after which time we will wholly discontinue " That contributions from this county for sopqdying the necessities and alleviating the distresses of our brethren in Boston ought to be continued in -ich manner and so long as their occaspms may re- quite ; and that it is the duty of the Committee of Correspondence of the said county to collect and transunt the same as such as pos- sible " the Slave Trade, and will neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our vessels nor sell our commodities or manufactures to those engaged in it." The Delaware members also concurred While the patriots were thus advancing the fortunes of the inchoate nation they were har- assed by a fire in the rear from the strong Tory element of the province. The party divisions of Whig and Tory were recognized and the line of demarcation plainly defined. There were stern and prompt men in the leadership of the Revolu- tioni-ts, and they would not hesitate to make an repressive force upon the British sympathizers. In the Pennsylvania Lalger of the first week of Feb- in the address to the people of Great Britain, the memorial to the inhabitants of the British colonies, the address to the inhabitants of Quebec, the address to the people of Canada and finally the address to the King. All these were recapit- ulations of the grievance- of which the people of the thirteen colonies complained. The sympathy and assistance of the people of Great Britain were example of the enemy at home that would exert a supplicated and the King was petitioned for the employment of his royal authority to remove the
Mes-rs. Rodney, MeKean and Read presented their credentials to Congress at its meeting in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia. September 5, 1774, and the two former were on the next day ap- pointed on " the first committee," and Mr. Read on " the second committee." In the official report of the proceedings they are designated as the " dele- gates from the Three Counties," or from the " Three Lower Counties on the Delaware," or from the " Delaware Counties." Delaware was assigned her place in the abortive plan submitted by Mr. Galloway on September 28th for an American government, " to be administered by a President- General, to be appointed by the King, and a grand council to be chosen by the representatives of the people of the several colonies in their respective assemblies once in every three years." Her three delegates signed the "Association " on October 20th-the non-importation, non-consump- tion and non-exportation agreement by which the colonies dissolved their commercial relations with the mother country, resolving neither to buy her products and wares after December 1, 1774, nor to export any merchandise or commodity to Great Britain, Ireland or the West Indies, except rice to Europe, after September 10, 1775, unless Parlia- ment in the mean time should abrogate the obnoxious statutes.
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ruary, 1775, there was printed the following extract the committee, which he signed and which was of " a Letter from Kent County :"
" With regard to political matters, the prople here bezin to change their sentiments, conch dite in their bare de bberate fire tib at- ilat mich vident mira-ures as have been por-ned will not heal. but. un the contrary, widen the breach . many who have kept their senti- ments to themselves lean to winter their di-bike of the proceedings gone into, I believe the Friendly Address and other parformances vi the moderate stamp have done mach good in opening the blind .... of many, and when people come to taste felingly of the band-b. winch a suspension of trade will occasion they will change aides . may. I believe if the King's standard wire now efected ldte out of tro would repair to it. The people have not till lately considered the consequences of a civil war with su base and powerful & nation as that of Great Britain ; the heat and rage of faity bad not given them leisure to reflect on the devastation and haveuk it would tera- sing and if our rashness should yet buttig the on, quete, is such re- fretions as these would not an -e with miny I have seen ibis Jand blessed with peace and plenty under the happiest form of gov- terminent in the world; every branch of business Hours-bing; men recuved in their llerty and property ; a trade open to foreign ports of the world, which occastound a ready sale for our produce. have been in possession of a site and many children, some of whom are numbered among the stain and others tar separated ; I have lived in a happy, harmomons neighborhood, where the violence of party and the appellations of Whig and Tory were unknown. Who could think that a three penny daty on tea could his - occasioned all these difficulties, when only a refusal to purchase the article would have kept us free! "
Upon the publication of this letter the Phila- delphia Committee of Correspondence made in- quiry of the Kent County committee concerning the truth of the allegations which it contained, and the latter replied as follows, under date of February 15th :
"Gentlemen-We are this morning favoured with yours of the 13th inst., informing us of the purport of a piece of intelligence published in the Pennsylvan Ledger of Saturday last, said to be an extract of a letter from Kent County on Ih laware, very injurious to the pub- lick spirit of the inhalatants of this county. We can assure you, from the knowledge we have of the sentiments of the inhabitants. that they have not in the breast changed their opinions with respect to the important stilgeut of dispute between the mother country aud the British Colonies in America and ale well disguised to make a virtuous stand against tyranny and oppression, trom whatsoever quarter they may threaten us, as the intelatante of any other of these Colonies; and that the sud extract to a base catumay, Peoplete with falsehood, and only designed by the wicked. insahous anthor to c wise divisione and excite mutual suspicions and distrust in the minds of Americans, weaken our hands, and jumpare the way to an easy victory for the enemies of America. We would. therefore, request the favour of your committee to call opon the printer of the above paper to discover, if he can. the author of this jaren of slander, and that this letter may be published in all the Philadelphia papers."
The Kent County Committee of Inspection met at Dover, May 2, 1775, and received from Robert Holliday a communication in which he acknowl- edged to have written the obnoxious letter, but pleaded that he did not sign it; that the printed extraet was somewhat altered from the original ; that it was not dated at any place, and that he had informed Joshua Fisher & Sons, to whom it was directed, that he did not think it best it should be published. " I am," said Mr. Holliday, " sin- cerely sorry I ever wrote it, as also for it- being published, and hope I may be excused for this my first breach in this way, and I intend it shall be the last."
It was resolved by the committee that this ex- planation was not satisfactory, and Mr. Holliday was requested to appear before the committee at its next meeting, on May 9th. He obeyed, and an apology was drawn up under the direction of
accepted as full reparation on his part for the mis- chief he had done. It read thus :
" With sorrow and contrition for my weakness and fellv, I confo-s myself the author of the letter from which an extract was published in the third number of Howpy rer's Ledger, said to be from kent County on In laaware, bont at the same time do dechate it was puldished withe ut my consent and not without some alterations.
. I am now convinced the peditieal sentiments therein contained were founded in the grossest error, more especially that the malignant in. sinnation that ' if the king's standard weir now erected, nitte out of ten would repair to it' could not have been suggested but from the deep- est insinuation. True moleed it is that the people of this county have ever showh a zraloty attachment to his Majesty . person and g wern- ment, and whenever he rates his sindland in & just cause were ready to the k to it ; but let the severe account I now render to an imported jules witness to the world that Done are more ready to oppure tyranny, it to be met in the curse of liberty, than the inhabitants of Kent County
" Concions that Ican readet no satisfaction Adequate to the Injuries done my country, Lemn only by the forgiveness of my country mien upon those principles of humanity which may induce them to con-mer the trailty of human nature. And I do protess and promise that I will never again oppose those landalde measures necessarily adopted by my countrymen for the preservation of American freedom ; tout with co-in- erste with them to the utmost of my atalities in their virtuous struggle for liberty, so far as is consistent with my religious principles."
In the House of Commons, March 30, 1775, Sir Charles Whitworth reported from the Committee of the Whole the bill to restrain the trade and commerce of the colonies of New Jersey, Penn- sylvania, Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina to Great Britain, Ireland and the British Islands in the West Indies. Lord North defended the bill on the ground of necessity, and offered an ad- ditional clause, " To prevent frauds arising in the
exportation of goods of the produce of the coun- ties of Kent. Sussex and New Castle." A few observations were made on this extraordinary mo- tion, which it was said was unprecedented in the annals of Parliament-that of condemning people unheard, nay, even without inquiry.
It was answered generally that the House was in possession of information sufficient to warrant the insertion of the clause; that the papers lying on the table contained that information ; and that any gentleman who doubted that the inhabitants of these counties deserved no exclusive favor or particular indulgence, had need only to peruse the papers laid before the House to be convinced.
The Hlou-e then agreed to the elause, and, on April 5th, passed the bill, the House of Lords concurring, on April 12th. Clause VII. of the engrossed bill is that relating especially to the Delaware counties, and is as follows :
" Atul in order to prevent frauds and abuses, which may be committed contrary to the intention and against the provisions of this act, by the exportation of any goods of the groth, praint or manufacture of the ci formes of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, from any of the ports within the government of the counties of New Castle, kent and sussex on laftware, it is herely further enacted that during the continuance of this let no goods or communities what ever shall be shijgend. to be carried from any port or place within the sig counties, or either of them, to any other land, port or pine whatsoever, except to the Kingdoms of fireat Butan or licland, or to some of the British Isleads in the West Indies, until the owner of experter et which goes shall have myde wath, or being one of the people called quakers, shall live athimed before the Collect er or other proper officer et the artans at the port or place where the same shall be shipped iwhich oath or af- firmations auch collector or other ofhet is hetens authorized to add- telj that such goods are really and one side of the growth, product or minulrtute of one or the other of said counties, of which fact tue
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collector, or other proper officer of the customs shall, and is hereby re- quiret to give a certiheate under his hand to the master of the ship or vessel on land which each goods are laden, for the so maty at her mention; and in future of producing such certificate, such -map of vessel, and the goods thereon laden, shall be forfeited, and shall and may be seized and prosecuted as berrimatter directed."
Pursuant to adjournment, on October 28th, the Delaware Assembly met at New Castle, March 13, 1775, and adjourned to the next day, when Thomas MeKean, for himself and Me-srs. Rodney and Read, made report of their attendance upon Congress. On the 15th the Assembly passed resolutions approving the proceedings of Congress and the conduct of the Delaware deputies, and thanking the latter "for their faithful and judi- cious discharge of the trust in them reposed." The Assembly also indorsed the action of the convention which elected the delegates to Con- gress, and agreed to allow them 260 each for their expenses, payment to be made by " orders drawn by the Speaker on the Trustees of the several loan offices of this government, according to the dirve- tions of the Proportion Let." On the 16th a resolution was passed appointing the same three gentlemen representatives in the American Con- gress to meet in Philadelphia, on May 10th,
" With full power to them, or any two of them, together with the delegates from the other American colonies. to concert atl agree upon such furcher measures as shall appear to them best calenlated for the accommodation of the unhappy differences between Great Britain and the colonies on a constitutional foundation, which the flogse me-tardeatly wish for, and that they report their proceedings to this House at their next meeting."
Messrs. Evans, Ridgely, McKinly, Hall and Rench were appointed a committee to prepare in- structions for the delegates, and drew up the follow- ing, which the Assembly confirmed on March 29th :1
"1. That in every act to be done in Congress you studiously av. id, as you have heretofore done. everything disrespect al or offensive to our most gracious sovereign, or iu any measure invasive of his just rights and prerogative.
+2. That yon do adhere to those claims and resolutions made and agreed upon at the last meeting of the Congress: get. for the restoration of that harmony with the parent state, which is so essential to the success and happiness of the whole British empire, and which is so ardently wished for by this House, you may, in your parts. Mell sich contested claims of right as do not apparently belong to the colonists, or are not essentially necessary to their weil-bring. .
43. Ifhis Majesty -honld be pleased graciously tarappoint any person or persons to treat with the coloures on the present unhappy disputes web- sisting between them and the Parent state, you, or any of yon. the Congress sball nominate, may treat with such person or persons on behalf of the inhabitants of this g weramient.
"4. If the Congress when formed shall not, in every question to le voted by the Provinces. allow this government an equal vote with any uther Province or government on this contient, von atr decently bit firmly to large the right of this government to an equal voie- in Congress with the other Culouira."
On March 20th the captains and subaltern of- fieers of New Castle County met at Christiana Bridge, and chose as commanders for the Upper Division, James McKinly, colonel; James Lat- imer, lieutenant-colonel ; and Thomas Duff, tha- jor. For the Lower Divisjon they chose Thomas Cooch, colonel; Sammel Patterson, lieutenant- colonel ; and Gunning Bedford, major. .
1 American Archives, 4th settes, vol. ii., pp. 126-129.
One of the express messengers dispatched freen Massachusetts to rouse the colonies with the news of the battle of Lexington, heft Philadelphia at noon of April 26, 1775, and riding through Che -- ter, reached New Castle at nine o'clock the same night, where his message was indorsed by %. V. Leuvenigh and Stephen Spencer, who forwarded it to Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Patterson, at Christiana Bridge. Col. Patterson received it at midnight and passed it to Col. Thoma- Conch, " who received it this moment, and he to forward it to Tobias Rudolph, Es-, head of Elk, in Mary- land, night and day to be forwarded." With this indor ement the messenger pressed on to Balti- more.
A meeting of the New Castle committee was held on May 18, 1775, at which were present the justices of the peace and grand jurymen of the county, to take into consideration the raising of a defense fund. At the previous meeting, on May 3d, it had been resolved to collect a shilling and six pence in the pound from each taxable inhab- itant, and also from the estates of non-residents; but this measure in part failed, and now the ju-tices and the jurymen entered into a pledge that at the next meeting of the Levy Court they would vote for a tax of this amount "in addition to the tax which may be necessary for the current expenses of the county ; out of which additional tax all sums of money already, or which may hereafter be, paid in compliance with the said resolves of the com- mittee, are to be deducted and credit given for them to the persons who have paid, or may pay, the same." Thisstipulation was signed by George Monro, Morton Morton, Wm. Hemphill, Thomas Kean, George Evans, Wm. Anderson, John James, Robert Kirkwood, David Howell, John Hyatt. John Taylor, Wm. Read, Win. Clark, John Jones, John Evans. Thos. Cooch, David Finney, James Latimer, R. Cantwell, John Malcolm, Geo. Crag- head, John Stapler, William Patterson, Sammel Patterson, Thomas MeKim and John MeKinley. In explanation of their course, they appended to the document the statement that :
" It being found quite impracticalde to raise the sums of money that were necessary for the purpuers aforementioned, in so short a time as the urgency required, in the u-nil legal ways, therefore the Com- mittee were obliged to adopt the foregoing method as appearing the most speedy, etfretual and equitatde manner of thising the stino ; atul is hoped that all lovers ed their country will readily pay their several quotas to the committee-men of their Respective Hundreds, who has undertaken to collect the same without tops or cotamissions, as the money is immediately want. I. Each of the Communities of Correspond- ence are re pured to lo dibeenit in coffee Onz, as speedily as possible, what money has been sulscaled and not paid towards the reliet of our suttering brethren at Boston, and to apply to such as have not before contubuted to their support, as their situation is at preseut nant de- plurable."
May 25, 1775, the officers of some twenty com- panies of the Kent County militia met at Duver, with Captain John Haslet as chairman and Lieu- tenant Mark McCall as clerk, and divided the county into two divisions, each to contain one reg-
i
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iment. For the Upper Regiment they elected Casar Rodney as colonel ; Thomas Collins, lieu- tenant-colonel; and French Battell, major. The officers chosen for the Lower Regiment were John Haslet. colonel; Wm. Rhodes, lieutenant-colonel ; and Robert Hodgson, major. All the officers present signed an agreement, " by the saerol ties of honour and love for our country, that we and each of us will, to the utmost of our abilities, well and faithfully execute the important office- conferred upon us by our follow-objects, and in our military and every other capacity, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, defend the liberties and privileges of America, as well natural as constitutional, against all invaders or such as may attempt the least violation or infringement of them."
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