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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Declaration Of The First Continental Congress (October 1774)

This is a legal document, which makes it a pain in the ass to read.  Essentially a listing of grievances and violations of rights, with a promise to return to peaceful and happy relations if the situation is rectified.  Perhaps most important, it reiterates the need for all Legislative power within the colonies to reside within the colonies-- as once again, true represenation in Parliament is currently lacking and impossible anyway.  The Crown would have the authority to dictate some international economic agreements, but that's it.  Independence is on its way.

Many of the complaints worked their way into the Bill of Rights-- specifically, the quartering of soldiers, the right to a fair and local trial by jury, and the right to peaceably assemble and petition for the redress of grievances.  Most complaints are referred to specific Acts of Parliament that must be redressed.

There were three acts specifically levied against the "province of Massachusetts-bay".  No wonder they moved the whole thing to Philadelphia.

And again, one of the complaints was the establishment of the "Roman Catholic Religion in the province of Quebec, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger, from so great a dissimilarity of Religion, law, and government, of the neighboring British colonies by the assistance of whose blood and treasure the said country was conquered from France."  Did we give Quebec back to France after the war as a consolation prize?  And c'mon, guys, we mean you no harm.  Simmer down.

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