"The next step toward revolutionary government was to develop from the local committees the Provincial Congresses in individual colonies, and from the intercolonial committees of the continent a Continental Congress. These things developed in the summer and fall of 1774, as the result of three events: (1) the attempt of the ministry to force taxed tea down the throats of the colonists [see § 121 for colonial resistance]; (2) the rather animated protest of the Boston Tea Party; and (3) the punishment of Boston by the Port Bill." (American History and Government, § 141. Cf. remainder of the same section for additional explanation.)
The documents for this period are very numerous, and many of the most valuable are not suitable for condensation and are too long for insertion here. It has seemed well to draw primarily upon one colony; and Virginia has been selected, partly because of her leadership, partly because her documents excel in form.
125. The Virginia Burgesses suggest an Annual Continental Congress
A detailed account is given in American History and Government, § 141.
a. Extract from a Letter by a Member of the Assembly to a London Friend
Force's American Archives, Fourth Series, I, 340. The Assembly had met May 6. Very little business had been transacted when the news of the Boston Port Bill arrived; but Virginia had been in high good humor with her governor, and the Burgesses had appointed May 30 for a great state ball, in honor of the governor's wife, the Lady Countess of Dunmore, just arrived from England.
Williamsburg, May 20, 1774.
Infinite astonishment, and equal resentment, has seized every one here on account of the war sent to Boston. It is the universal determination to stop the exportation of tobacco, pitch, tar, lumber, etc., and to stop all importation from Britain while this act of hostility continues. We every day expect an express from Boston, and it appears to me incontestabl[y] certain, that the above measures will be universally adopted. We see with concern, that this plan will be most extensively hurtful to our fellow-subjects in Britain; nor would we have adopted it, if Heaven had left us any other way to secure our liberty, and prevent the total ruin of ourselves and our posterity to endless ages. A wicked Ministry must answer for all the consequences. I hope the wise and good on your side will pity and forgive us. The House is now pushing on the public business for which we were called here at this time; but before we depart, our measures will be settled and agreed on. The plan proposed is extensive; it is wise, and I hope, under God, it will not fail of success. America possesses virtue unknown and unfelt by the abominable sons of corruption who planned this weak and wicked enterprise.