Full Enforcement of the Continental Association Begins
February 1 — Enforcement of Article 10
Colonies, cities, and towns that were part of the Continental Association were required to start enforcing Article 10 of the Articles of Association, which stated: “…if any goods or merchandizes shall be imported after the said first day of February, the same ought forthwith to be sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof.”
- Continental Association (1774) — The Continental Association was an organization created by the First Continental Congress to enforce the Articles of Association — a trade boycott against British merchants — unless Britain repealed the Coercive Acts.
February 1 — William Pitt delivered a speech in Parliament and asked for the repeal of the Intolerable Acts, the removal of troops from Boston, and concessions regarding taxation. Edmund Burke seconded Pitt’s recommendations. The proposal was defeated by a wide margin.
- William Pitt (1708–1778) — Known as “William Pitt the Elder,” he served as Prime Minister of Great Britain (1766–1768) after directing the British war effort during the latter portion of the French and Indian War (1754–1763). Pitt opposed corruption in the British government and supported the American position regarding Taxation Without Representation.
- Edmund Burke (1729–1797) — Edmund Burke was a British politician who supported the Patriot Cause but sought to maintain the British Empire. He gained prominence through his political roles and influential writings and coined the phrase “wise and salutary neglect” in 1775.
February 1 — The Massachusetts Provincial Congress met in Cambridge, Massachusetts. John Hancock was elected President.
- Massachusetts Provincial Congress — A government formed by the members of the Massachusetts General Assembly after General Thomas Gage suspended the Assembly. Although illegal, the Provincial Congress worked to organize the colony’s defenses after the Powder Alarm (September 1–4, 1774) and establish an army for the New England Colonies.
- John Hancock (1737–1793) — A leader of the Patriot Cause in Massachusetts, President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, and President of the Second Continental Congress. He was also aligned with the Sons of Liberty. Hancock is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest men in the colonies.
February 1 — Seizure of Powder in Stamford, Connecticut
Holt’s Journal reported on the activities of Loyalists in Stamford, Connecticut, who contributed to the seizure of a shipment of gunpowder that was on its way from New York City to New Haven, Connecticut. This article appeared in the Journal on February 16.
“Fasting and prayer, appointed by authority, throughout the colony of Connecticut, ‘to implore the divine mercy at this dark and Critical time.’ A number of Tories belonging to the town of Stamford, in that colony, met at a certain tavern to spend the day in regaling themselves, and, as their manner commonly is upon such occasions, testifying their loyalty to the king, by disobeying the proclamation of his Governor. They received intelligence of some casks of powder, which a carman was entrusted with, for the use of the colony. Of this they gave immediate information to an under officer of the customs, who seized the powder, and ordered it to his own house.”
February 2–4 — The James Incident at Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook, New York — A British supply ship arrived at New York on February 2. However, it was in violation of the Continental Association. The local Committee of Inspection refused to allow the cargo to be unloaded until February 4, when the James finally sailed away. This article appeared in Holt’s Journal on February 16, 1775.
“On Thursday morning, the 2d instant, the ship James, Captain Watson, arrived at New York from Glasgow [Scotland] with a cargo of coals and dry goods, but as she did not arrive within the time prescribed by the tenth article of the association of the Continental Congress, a strict watch was constantly kept, by some of the subcommittee, and a number of inhabitants, to prevent the landing of any goods, in a clandestine manner; and the captain was requested to procure such necessaries as he might stand in need of, and immediately quit the port.
With this request, he seemed rather unwilling to comply, and was encouraged to hope from the assurances of a number of ministerial tools, who promised to support him, that his cargo would be landed; for which purpose they employed a few vagrants to go on board the ship, which then lay in the harbor, and bring the colors on shore, with a view of raising a posse, to assist in landing the goods; but the banditti that were collected for this purpose were soon suppressed by the inhabitants, who are for supporting the association, and who began to assemble in great numbers; upon which the captain, conceiving the ship to be in great danger, sent the mate on shore, requesting assistance to get her under sail, as the seamen refused to do that duty.
This request being complied with, they immediately got her under weigh [underway], and fell down about four miles below the city, where she remained, attended by a boat, with a member of the committee and some of the townsmen on board, till last Thursday night (9th), when she was again brought into the harbor, by an officer and a number of men belonging to his Majesty’s ship King Fisher; which ship it is supposed came down from Turtle Bay expressly for the purpose of protecting her, and intimidating the inhabitants.
As soon as it was known that the ship was coming up again, the people, highly exasperated, began to assemble together in great numbers, and immediately went to the captain’s lodgings, seized him, and after conducting him through many of the principal streets, attended by a prodigious concourse of people, he was, without suffering the least hurt or injury, put on board a boat, with some hands to row him, and sent off.
His ship then lying at anchor ten miles below the town, he went on board the man-of-war, which lay in the harbor, where his own ship did not arrive until the next morning, when she came to anchor under the cannon of the King Fisher.
In this situation matters remained until Saturday, when they began to unmoor the ship, intending to get under sail, but were prevented by the lieutenant of the man-of-war, who hailed the ship, and demanded if they had a clearance.
Being assured in the negative he ordered them not to unmoor. This obstruction greatly exasperated a number of people that were collected to see her get under sail, who went in quest of the captain of the King Fisher, to know by what authority he detained the ship, but they could not meet with him; he was, however, soon after waited upon, by one of the gentlemen to whom the ship was consigned, and on being informed of the lieutenant’s conduct, and asked his reasons for detaining her, he replied that he had nothing to do with her, and immediately gave orders to let her pass.
Accordingly she got under sail the next morning about ten o’clock, accompanied by a boat, with two of the committee and a number of inhabitants on board; which boat, after taking out the pilot, left her at two o’clock P. M., about a league to the southward of Sandy Hook, with a fresh gale, and at half-past four o’clock she was out of sight.
As every artifice has been used, and a variety of maneuvres put in practice, by a set of ministerial hirelings, to procure the landing of the cargo of this ship, it must give real pleasure to every lover of his country to observe that the good people of New York are determined to support the association of the general Congress at all events.”
February 3 — Stamford Gunpowder Affair
After the gunpowder was seized on February 1, it was stored in the home of a customs officer. On February 16, Holt’s Journal reported that a number of men from a neighboring town went to this home on February 3 and took the powder without incident.
“A number of men from a distant town having heard of the seizure of the powder at Stamford, went in a body to that town; proceeded in an orderly manner to the house where the powder was lodged, which they entered without opposition, and having found it, rode off with the casks, Without any bad consequences, saving a plentiful discharge of Billingsgate from the mortified disappointed faction, and the no small consternation of the informers, who upon the first news of the company’s approach, ran off with great trepidation, and hid themselves until all was over.”
The Journal also published a copy of the report from Rivington’s Gazette, a Loyalist newspaper, which provided additional details on the sequence of events.
“Rivington, in his Gazette of the 9th Feb., publishes the following:
One day last week, seven half barrels of gunpowder were seized by William Hubbard, Esq., at Stamford, in Connecticut, on its way from New York to New Haven, over land.
We have just received advice, that the house of the collector of Stamford was, the day after the seizure of the gunpowder, attacked by a number of Liberty lads, who took possession of the powder, and carried it off on horses to Fairfield. They were headed by one Bartrain, a quondam [former] sergeant in the provincial service.
A party from Hartford, with Colonel Wyllys, Captain Alcott, two of the Messrs. Bull, thirty of them in all, marched to Fairfield, took possession of the powder, and lodged it in the loyal town of Hartford.”
Notes
- “Colonel Wyllys” refers to Samuel Wyllys, who went on to serve in the Continental Army and commanded the 3rd Connecticut Regiment in the Connecticut Line.
- “Captain Alcott” refers to John Alcott III, the great-grandfather of Louisa May Alcott.
February 6 — John Adams (1735–1826) published The Rule of Law and the Rule of Men in the Massachusetts Gazette. Adams argued the colonial legislatures held authority over Parliament.
February 9 — Massachusetts in Rebellion
London — King George III issued a proclamation declaring Massachusetts was in a state of rebellion.
February 9 — The New York Journal reported on an incident that took place on February 8 in New York City: “Yesterday some gentlemen were dining together at a house in New York, and in the course of the conversation, one of the company frequently used the word Tory; the gentleman at whose house they dined, asked him, ‘Pray, Mr. —, what is a Tory?’ He replied, ‘A Tory is a thing whose head is in England, and its body in America, and its neck ought to be stretched.’
February 16 — Support for the Patriot Cause in the Middle Colonies
These updates appeared in various newspapers on February 16, 1775.
- Maryland — It appears that the inhabitants of Maryland are all in motion; forming county meetings, choosing committees of observation to carry into effectual execution, without fear, favor, or partiality, the measures recommended by the grand Continental Congress, and forming companies to learn the art military. Anne Arundel county, including the citizens of Annapolis, have resolved that every person who should refuse to contribute to the purchase of arms and ammunition for the use of that county, before the first of this month (Feb.), shall be deemed an enemy to America, and his name published in the Maryland Gazette.
- New Jersey — The General Assembly of New Jersey have approved of the proceedings of the Continental Congress, and instructed their delegates to propose and agree to every reasonable and constitutional measure for the accommodation of the unhappy differences at present subsisting between the mother country and the colonies.”
- Philadelphia — The members of the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence
- denied rumors questioning their support for the Patriot Cause. This was reported by Gaines’ Mercury on March 13.
February 16 — A report in Holt’s Journal on February 23 said: “While the county delegates were in session at Fairfield, Connecticut, the day before yesterday, the following toast was drank by a company of gentlemen in that town:— Addition to Whigs; Subtraction to Tories; Multiplication to the friends of Liberty, and Division to the enemies of America.”
An earlier report (January 23) from Holt’s Journal reported on the reaction of Connecticut Patriots toward the town of Ridgefield, which opposed the Continental Association.
“At the meeting of the delegates, every town in the county was represented except Ridgefield and Newton. In the evening of the day the meeting was held, ‘two of the inhabitants of a place lately known and called by the name of Ridgefield, put up at a public house in Weathersfield, Conn., and entering into conversation, boldly justified the vote of the said late town of Ridgefield, in disapproving of the doings of the Continental Congress; and proceeded far in supporting Court doctrines of passive obedience to Parliament, &c.
This was taken notice of by a number of gentlemen present, who considered it, in effect, as a direct breach of the Association of the said Congress, and therefore voted, that, ‘in their opinion, it was proper that those persons should be returned the way from whence they came, under safe conduct, from town to town, to the said place lately known by the said name of Ridgefield:’ and, that all honest and true men to this country might know and avoid them, proper persons were appointed instantly to attend them on their return as far as Farmington, and there to acquaint the inhabitants of their behavior, and leave them to their further transportation, as is usual; and as by law is provided, in cases of strolling idiots, lunatics, &c.
A letter was accordingly written to the gentlemen at Farmington, representing their unhappy and desperate situation, which was signed by the principal gentlemen present; and the unhappy men, properly escorted, set off at nine o’clock, amidst the hisses, groans, &c., of a respectable concourse of people, the populace following them out of town, beating a dead march.”
February 17 — Rumors of Loyalism in Cortlandt Manor
New York — An article was published accusing the inhabitants of several areas north of New York City — Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, Poughkeepsie, and Dutchess County — of refusing to support the Continental Association.
“It is said that at least three-fourths of the people in Cortlandt’s manor, New York, have declared their unwillingness to enter into the Congressional measures, that a great number of the people in general in Westchester county are preparing to do the like, and that the association against the Continental Congress has been signed by three hundred persons in the neighborhood of Poughkeepsie only. Many lists are sent about Dutchess county, on which also many hundreds have subscribed.”
This report was denied in Holt’s Journal on March 2:
“This rumor is denied by ‘a gentleman of undoubted veracity,’ as follows: ‘There are not any of the landholders in said manor, except one C—y, a miller, at Peekskill, and a few interlopers of his kidney, that are of that perverse sentiment. The proprietors of the manor of Cortlandt, together with all the other landholders, except the above miller and his few adherent Tories, are unanimous in favor of the Congress measures.”
February 17 — Rivington’s Gazette reported that “On Friday last, at Messrs. Sharp and Curtenius’s furnace, in New York, a cylinder was cast for the steam-engine of the waterworks now in course of erection in that city. This is the first performance of the kind ever attempted in America, and allowed by judges to be extremely well executed.”
February 18 — Elizabethtown Riot
On March 2, Rivington’s Gazette reported on an incident that occurred in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, with the British supply ship Watson. The Watson sailed south after leaving Sandy Hook and sailed to Elizabethtown, where it tried again to unload the cargo.
“A few days ago a riot occurred at Elizabethtown in Jersey.
The scene opened between twelve and one o’clock, with seizing a poor Staten Islander, for no other crime than because some people of that ever loyal island were supposed to have been ready to assist in landing some goods from Captain Watson’s Scotch ship, which lately left New York, and is departed with his cargo for Jamaica, having arrived at New York after the first of February, the day limited by the Congress for the importation of goods.
The man’s boat was dragged ashore, and his oysters distributed to the hungry vagabonds, who were visibly headed in the centre of the town, by Jonathan Hampton, a Justice of the Peace, a Judge of the county court, and chairman of the committee.
Hampton was the man who attempted lately to obstruct the passage of his Majesty’s royal regiment of Ireland, over the ferries, and prevented wagons from carrying their baggage; this same Hampton was the man who raised a riot lately in Sussex county, attacked a peddler, and destroyed his property.
About four o’clock, when the mob discharged the poor oyster man, they proceeded to abuse all the people in the town who were known to be well affected to the constitution; they erected a gallows, in order more particularly to insult them, and fixed up a liberty pole in the middle of the town.
It must be observed, that the worshipful Judge, Jonathan Hampton, was, as usual, completely drunk when the riot commenced. For the honor of the police, it must be recorded, that two of the aldermen, Messrs. Blanchard and Dayton, exerted themselves greatly to suppress those violences, but they were only able to check them.
Two of the Delegates contributed towards a collection that was made for their ever-staunch friends the mob.
Mr. Alderman Blanchard ordered the gallows to be demolished, after it had existed two hours; and their deity, the liberty pole, was struck by an order from the committee, without the consent of that exemplary and able guarantee of American freedom, the righteous and immaculate Judge Jonathan Hampton.
This was a glorious day to the sons of licentiousness; and it was also a glorious day to the sons of loyalty; for it has made in Elizabethtown more proselytes to the side of order and government, than all the other endeavors that have been exerted to abate the fever of the times.”
February 17 — Rumors of a Slave Uprising in New York
Ulster County, New York — John Schoonmaker reported to the local authorities that he overheard a conversation between two men that indicated a slave uprising was being planned. This appeared in Gaines’ Mercury on March 6.
“…Mr. John Schoonmaker, being in bed at his house in Ulster county, New York, overheard the following conversation between his own negro York, and a negro named Joe, belonging to Mr. Johannes Schoonmaker.
York — How many?
Joe — A great many.
York — From where?
Joe — From Keyserick, Hurley, and Kingstown.
York — How much powder have they?
Joe — Two pounds.
York. — That is not enough, they should have more to get through with it, and drums enough to prevent hearing the cries. They will begin two at your house, two at John De Puis, and in proportion, more at other houses. It will be put in execution between this and Wednesday night. When once begun we must go through with it. We are to set fire to the houses, and stand at the doors and the windows to receive the people as they come out.”
On March 8, the Pennsylvania Journal reported on the outcome:
“This account having been deposed before a magistrate, the two negroes were committed to gaol [jail], and, together with several other negroes, examined before four magistrates who met for that purpose, but no further discoveries could be made.
Another account names Marbletown, as well as the three above mentioned; and that the negroes were to be divided into parties, to fire the houses, cry Me! and kill the people as they came out. The motive for this conspiracy was the recovery of their freedom. A large quantity of powder and ball was found with several negroes; and besides this, there are said to be advices in town, that besides the two negroes before mentioned, seventeen or eighteen have been committed to gaol.
A report has likewise been current, that these negroes were to be joined by five or six hundred Indians; but it does not appear that there is any good foundation for the report.”
Notes
- The plan discussed between York and Joe, as relayed by Schoonmaker, is very similar to the plan implemented by slaves during the New York Slave Revolt (1712), an armed uprising in New York City.
February 20 — Second Massachusetts Provincial Congress
Concord, Massachusetts — The Second Provincial Congress met and worked to organize Massachusetts defenses. They set up a military commissary, made plans to enlist the Stockbridge Indians, established guidelines for military governance, and asked neighboring colonies for reinforcements and supplies.
Gaines’ Mercury published a report on February 27 with additional details:
“The Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay has resolved: that the great law of self-preservation calls upon the inhabitants of that colony, immediately to prepare against every attempt that may be made to attack them by surprise.
And, upon serious deliberation, most earnestly recommended to the militia in general, as well as the detached part of it in minute-men, that they spare neither time, pains, nor expenses, at so critical a juncture, in perfecting themselves forthwith in military discipline; and that skilful instructors be provided for those companies which are not already provided therewith.
It also recommends to the towns and districts in that colony, that they encourage such persons as are skilled in the manufactory of fire-arms and bayonets, diligently to apply themselves there for supplying such of the inhabitants as shall be deficient.
They have since adjourned to the twenty-second of next month, then to meet at Concord, an inland town, about eighteen miles from Boston.”
February 22 — British Spy Mission
Boston — General Thomas Gage issued orders to Captain William Brown and Ensign Henry De Berniere to travel outside Boston and make a map of the roads and landmarks. The men carried out their mission and provided Gage with a detailed map of the roads.
- Primary Document — Gage’s Orders to Brown and De Berniere
- Primary Document — British Spy Map of the Roads in the Massachusetts Countryside
February 23 — Rivington’s Gazette published a story about a minister in Connecticut who requested military training so he could take up arms against the British troops in Boston if needed.
“Some time ago a Presbyterian minister, not far distant from North Haven, Connecticut, applied to a lieutenant of the militia to step into the market and give him the words of command, in order to his performing the manual exercise; the officer declined it, but being repeatedly pressed to a compliance, consented.
The minister declared he had practised the military exercises with an intention of going to Boston against the King’s troops, if there should be occasion for his service. Having taken post in the market, he shouldered, faced, marched, and performed all the motions with much exactness, to the great delight of a turbulent Hibernian, who was about eighteen years ago sold in this part of the world and on all occasions insults the name and government of our most gracious sovereign, and bids defiance to the law. This republican thanked the divine for his fine performance, applauded his gallant resolutions, and conducted him to enjoy a mug of flip, at his own house.
A gentleman passing by, whilst the puritan was exhibiting à la militaire, asked him if he had quite forsaken his spiritual for a soldier’s profession, on which the crowd menaced him with the discipline of tar and feathers, but the former secured himself by a precipitate retreat.”
February 23 — Support for the Continental Association in Georgia
Savannah — The Georgia Assembly met to discuss the Continental Association. On March 2, Holt’s Journal reported there was growing support for the Association.
“It appears that the upper House of the Georgia Assembly, though they say they disapprove of some of the measures of the other colonies, are heartily disposed to maintain their rights and liberties; while the lower House declare, ‘they should be insensible not to feel their numerous grievances and wish them redressed, and that they only contend for the enjoyment of their constitutional rights and liberties, which soften every care of life, and render existence itself desirable’”
AHC Note — Georgia did not send delegates to the First Continental Congress.
February 26 — Leslie’s Retreat
Salem, Massachusetts — General Thomas Gage ordered the seizure of cannons held in Salem, Massachusetts. Colonel Alexander Leslie, leading a detachment of the 64th Regiment, sailed to Marblehead and marched inland toward the supplies. Townspeople, including members of the Salem Militia, gathered at North Bridge and raised the drawbridge to prevent the British from entering the town. Leslie demanded to pass, and violence threatened to erupt. An agreement was reached, allowing the British to cross the bridge and proceed to the building where cannons were thought to be held. Finding nothing, Leslie turned his forces around and marched back to Marblehead without incident. The Salem Gunpowder Raid could have ignited the war, but quick thinking avoided hostilities.
February 27 — Gaines’ Mercury reported on the harsh treatment of a Loyaist in Hartford, Connecticut, who was “carried upon a rail,” meaning he was forced to sit on a log or fencepost while he was carried around the town and harassed.
“Some time ago, Dr. Clarke, of Reading, a gentleman distinguished by a firm attachment to the king and the constitution, was seized in the township of Hartford, Connecticut, and to the indelible disgrace of their police, carried upon a rail about the parish, under which cruelty he several times fainted. When dismissed by his tormentors, and examined by Dr. Tidmarsh, he was found to be injured in a manner unfit for description. The doctor was menaced with the same treatment for his humanity to the sufferer, whose only crime was speaking in terms of respect of the king, and of his government.”
February 27 — Lord North’s Conciliatory Resolution
London — Despite rejecting William Pitt’s plan, Parliament approved a resolution put forth by Frederick North, which had been approved by King George III. In the resolution, Parliament agreed to end all forms of taxation related to defense, colonial government, and the judicial system. The resolution was addressed to each colony, not the Continental Congress. Parliament refused to acknowledge the Congress as a legal authority, even though the colonies had accepted it as a de facto government.
- Frederick North (1732–1792) — The 2nd Earl of Guilford. Lord North served as British Prime Minister (1770–1782) for most of the American Revolutionary War. He supported measures like the Intolerable Acts, which intensified colonial resistance.
February 28 — Unrest in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania — Rivington’s Gazette reported that some of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania were opposed to the measures of the Continental Association and Committees of Inspection.
“A correspondent says: — ‘You may be assured there is a most amazing change of sentiments in the people of the province of Pennsylvania. The Quakers, high and low Dutch, the Baptists, &c., are warmly opposed in their opinions to the violent and independent measures lately adopted, and wish for others more moderate, prudent, and rational. And there is the greatest prospect, that in a little time that province will recover its at present lost character for wisdom, moderation, and firmness.’”
February 28 — The Suffolk County Convention held its fourth meeting. The members convened at the home of Daniel Vose in Milton, Massachusetts, and passed a resolution providing £500 of public money to cover the expenses of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress.
