The 3 Primary Document Summaries of 10/29

Letter From New York Committee of Fifty-One in the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 23, 1774

-----This certain document served as a letter from the New York colonial committee and onto the Boston committee. This document informed the Boston committee of the fact that the larger majority of the New York citizens have proposed and agreed to make a main committee of all of the existing colonies. With this new committee in place, it would be easier for the American colonists to absolve themselves from the tyranny of the British Parliament, and this committee would also potentially progress American freedom and independence. This letter states that if the Boston and majority of the colonies comply with this request or proposition that it be situated as soon as possible. In a sense, this letter’s purpose is to endorse this proposal by exemplifying how essential it is that the colonies be absolved from the rule of the English Parliament.

Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence

-----The circular letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence of May 13th 1774 was a document dispersed by Samuel Adams throughout the Boston colony. This letter’s purpose was to inform the intentions of the British Parliament in regards to the American colonies. Accusing the English of passing acts directed to separate the American colonies to stunt their independence, Adams proposes to cut all trade between them and England in order for the English parliament to apprehend the value of the American colonies as trading partners. By boycotting their products and by ceasing trade with England, Adams explains that this is the only way that the colonists will become free from the authority of the English Parliament and that it is well worth the sacrifice.

Declaration of American Rights

-----The title of this primary document is "Declaration and Resolved of the First Continental Congress, October 14, 1774", and it was written by the Colonial Continental Congress. This document basically informs the colonial citizens about the political resolves and alterations made regarding the English Parliament. This document is in the form of discussion about what has been resolved, in what manner it was resolved, what needs to be resolved and how it should be resolved in the future. The Colonial Continental Congress is a representation of the colonial citizens and has the intention of supplying the colonies with the necessities that England provides. By stating that the colonists are technically English citizens in a different location, they should be treated with the same benefits and protections as the average English citizens. The Colonial Continental Congress looks for a happy median between the American colonists and British Parliament.