MARCH 24th
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“It seems highly necessary that some thing shou’d be done to avert the stroke and maintain the liberty which we have derived from our ancestors.”
To George Mason*
Mount Vernon, 5 April 1769
Dear Sir,
Herewith you will receive a letter and Sundry papers which were forwarded to me a day or two ago by Doctor Ross of Bladensburg. I transmit them with the greater pleasure, as my own desire of knowing your sentiments upon a matter of this importance exactly coincides with the Doctors inclinations.
At a time when our lordly Masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the deprication of American freedom, it seems highly necessary that some thing shou’d be done to avert the stroke and maintain the liberty which we have derived from our Ancestors;** but the manner of doing it to answer the purpose effectually is the point in question. That no man shou’d scruple, or hesitate a moment to use a-ms [sic] in defence of so valuable a blessing, on which all the good and evil of life depends; is clearly my opinion; yet a-ms I wou’d beg leave to add, should be the last resource; the denier resort. Addresses to the Throne, and remonstrances to parliament, we have already, it is said, proved the inefficacy of; how far then their attention to our rights and priviledges is to be awakened or alarmed by starving their Trade and manufactures, remains to be tryed.
Artist: Gaetano Cecere. Architect of the Capitol
The northern Colonies, it appears, are endeavouring to adopt this scheme. In my opinion it is a good one, and must be attended with salutary effects, provided it can be carried pretty generally into execution; but how far it is practicable to do so, I will not take upon me to determine. That there will be difficulties attending the execution of it everywhere, from clashing interests, and selfish designing men (ever attentive to their own gain, and watchful of every turn that can assist their lucrative views, in preference to any other consideration) cannot be denied; but in the Tobacco Colonies where the Trade is so diffused, and in a manner wholly conducted by Factors for their principals at home, these difficulties are certainly enhanced, but I think not insurmountably increased, if the Gentlemen in their several Counties wou’d be at some pains to explain matters to the people, and stimulate them to a cordial agreement to purchase none but certain innumerated Articles out of any of the Stores after such a period, not import nor purchase any themselves. This, if it did not effectually withdraw the Factors from their Importations, wou’d at least make them extremely cautious in doing it, as the prohibited Goods could be vended to none but the non-associator, or those who wou’d pay no regard to their association; both of whom ought to be stigmatized, and made the objects of publick reproach.***
* “Mason lived at Gunston Hall, Fairfax County, on the Potomac, just below Mount Vernon, and was possibly the greatest constitutionalist produced by Virginia. He was the author of the Virginia nonimportation resolutions of 1769, the Fairfax resolutions of 1774, and the Virginia bill of rights1, 1776. Washington highly respected his judgment.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
1. The Virginia Bill of Rights (Virginia Declaration of Rights) was a document that Thomas Jefferson likely referenced when he drafted the Declaration of Independence; the two documents’ similarities are obvious (see also, Declaration and Resolves issued by the First Continental Congress in 1774).
** The British Colonies, owing to their original charters, were essentially free and independent. Their assemblies were composed of elected representatives and they alone had the power to tax. When the British Parliament usurped that power by taxing the colonies and suspending the New York Assembly (here, specifically the Townshend Acts), naturally there was resistance.
*** The intent was to starve the British merchants of orders from the colonies which, it was hoped would bring pressure on Parliament to desist. Trade during this period primarily consisted of raw materials shipped to Britain from the colonies, and in return, finished goods shipped to the colonies.
GEORGE WASHINGTON:
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