Fairfax County Resolves

At a general Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of 
Fairfax on Monday the 18th day of July 1774, at the Court House, George 
Washington Esquire Chairman, and Robert Harrison Gent. Clerk of the said 
Meeting--

1. Resolved that this Colony and Dominion of Virginia can not be 
considered as a conquered Country; and if it was, that the present 
Inhabitants are the Descendants not of the Conquered, but of the 
Conquerors.

That the same was not setled at the national Expence of England, but at 
the private Expence of the Adventurers, our Ancestors, by solemn Compact 
with, and under the Auspices and Protection of the British Crown; upon 
which we are in every Respect as dependant, as the People of Great 
Britain, and in the same Manner subject to all his Majesty's just, legal, 
and constitutional Prerogatives. That our Ancestors, when they left their 
native Land, and setled in America, brought with them (even if the same 
had not been confirmed by Charters) the Civil- Constitution and Form of 
Government of the Country they came from; and were by the Laws of Nature 
and Nations, entitled to all it's Privileges, Immunities and Advantages; 
which have descended to us their Posterity, and ought of Right to be as 
fully enjoyed, as if we had still continued within the Realm of England.

2. Resolved that the most important and valuable Part of the British 
Constitution, upon which it's very Existence depends, is the fundamental 
Principle of the People's being governed by no Laws, to which they have 
not given their Consent, by Representatives freely chosen by themselves; 
who are affected by the Laws they enact equally with their Constituents; 
to whom they are accountable, and whose Burthens they share; in which 
consists the Safety and Happiness of the Community: for if this Part of 
the Constitution was taken away, or materially altered, the Government 
must degenerate either into an absolute and despotic Monarchy, or a 
tyrannical Aristocracy, and the Freedom of the People be annihilated.

3. Resolved therefore, as the Inhabitants of the american Colonies are 
not, and from their situation can not be represented in the British 
Parliament, that the legislative Power here can of Right be exercised only 
by {our} own Provincial Assemblys or Parliaments, subject to the Assent or 
Negative of the British Crown, to be declared within some proper limited 
Time. But as it was thought just and reasonable that the People of Great 
Britain shou'd reap Advantages from these Colonies adequate to the 
Protection they afforded them, the British Parliament have claimed and 
exercised the Power of regulating our Trade and Commerce, so as to 
restrain our importing from foreign Countrys, such Articles as they cou'd 
furnish us with, of their own Growth or Manufacture, or exporting to 
foreign Countrys such Articles and Portions of our Produce, as Great 
Britain stood in Need of, for her won Consumption or Manufactures. Such a 
Power directed with Wisdom and Moderation, seems necessary for the general 
Good of that great Body-politic of which we are a Part; altho' in some 
Degree repugnant to the Principles of the Constitution. Under this Idea 
our Ancestors submitted to it: the Experience of more than a Century, 
during the government of the reciprocal Benefits flowing from it produced 
mutual uninterrupted Harmony and Good- Will, between the Inhabitants of 
Great Britain and her Colonies; who during that long Period, always 
considered themselves as one and same People: and tho' such a Power is 
capable of Abuse, and in some Instances hath been stretched beyond the 
original Design and Institution. Yet to avoid Strife and Contention with 
our fellow-Subjects, and strongly impressed with the Experience of mutual 
Benefits, we always Chearfully acquiesced in it, while the entire 
Regulation of our internal Policy, and giving and granting our own Money 
were preserved to our own provincial Legislatures.

4. Resolved that it is the Duty of these Colonies, on all Emergencies, to 
contribute, in Proportion to their Abilities, Situation and Circumstances, 
to the necessary Charge of supporting and defending the British Empire, of 
which they are Part; that while we are treated upon an equal Footing with 
our fellow Subjects, the Motives of Self-Interest and Preservation will be 
a sufficient Obligation; as was evident thro' the Course of the last War; 
and that no Argument can be fairly applyed to the British Parliament's 
taxing us, upon a Presumption that we shou'd refuse a just and reasonable 
Contribution, but will equally operate in Justification of the Executive-
Power taxing the People of England, upon a Supposition of their 
Representatives refusing to grant the necessary Supplies.

5. Resolved that the Claim lately assumed and exercised by the British 
Parliament, of making all such Laws as they think fit, to govern the 
People of these Colonies, and to extort from us our Money with out our 
Consent, is not only diametrically contrary to the first Principles of the 
Constitution, and the original Compacts by which we are dependant upon the 
British Crown and Government; but is totally incompatible with the 
Privileges of a free People, and the natural Rights of Mankind; will 
render our own Legislatures merely nominal and nugatory, and is calculated 
to reduce us from a State of Freedom and Happiness to Slavery and Misery.

6. Resolved that Taxation and Representation are in their Nature 
inseperable; that the Right of withholding, or of giving and granting 
their own Money is the only effectual Security to a free People, against 
the Incroachments of Despotism and Tyranny; and that whenever they yield 
the One, they must quickly fall a Prey to the other.

7. Resolved that the Powers over the People of America now claimed by the 
British House of Commons, in whose Election we have no Share, on whose 
Determinations we can have no Influence, whose Information mush be always 
defective and often false, who in many Instances may have a seperate, and 
in some an opposite Interest to ours, and who are removed from those 
Impressions of tenderness and compassion arising from personal intercourse 
and Connections, which soften the Rigours of the most despotic 
Governments, must if continued, establish the most grievous and 
intollerable Species of Tyranny and Oppression, that ever was inflicted 
upon Mankind.

8. Resolved that it is our greatest Wish and Inclination, as well as 
Interest, to continue our Connection with, and Dependance upon the British 
Government; but tho' we are it's Subjects, we will use every Means which 
Heaven hath given us to prevent our becoming it's Slaves.

9. Resolved that there is a premeditated Design and System, formed and 
pursued by the British Ministry, to introduce an arbitrary Government into 
his Majesty's American Diminions; to which End they are artfully 
prejudicing our Sovereign, and inflaming the Minds of our fellow-Subjects 
in Great Britain, by propagating the most malevolent Falsehoods; 
particularly that there is an Intention in the American Colonies to set up 
for independant States; endeavouring at the same Time, by various Acts of 
Violence and Oppression, by sudden and repeated Dissolutions of our 
Assemblies, whenever they presume to examine the Illegality of ministerial 
Mandates, or deliberate on the violated Rights of their Constituents, and 
by breaking in upon the American Charters, to reduce us to a State of 
Desperation, and dissolve the original Compacts by which our Ancestors 
bound themselves and their Posterity to remain dependant upon the British 
Crown: which Measures, unless effectually counteracted, will end in the 
Ruin both of Great Britain and her Colonies.

10. Resolved that the several Acts of Parliament for raising a Revenue 
upon the People of America without their Consent, the creating new and 
dangerous Jurisdictions here, the taking away our Trials by Jurys, the 
ordering Persons upon Criminal Accusations, to be tried in another Country 
than that in which the Fact is charged to have been committed, the Act 
inflicting ministerial Vengeance upon the Town of Boston, and the two 
Bills lately brought into Parliament for abrogating the Charter of the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, and for the Protection and Encouragement of 
Murderers in the said Province, are Part of the above mentioned iniquitous 
System. That the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston are now suffering in 
the common Cause of all British America, and are justly entitled to it's 
Support and Assistance; and therefore that a Subscription ought imediatly 
to be opened, and proper Persons appointed, in every County of this Colony 
to purchase Provisions, and consign them to some Gentleman of Character in 
Boston, to be distributed among the poorer Sort of People there.

11. Resolved that we will cordially join with our Friends and Brethren of 
this and the other Colonies, in such Measures as shall be judged most 
effectual for procuring Redress of our Grievances, and that upon obtaining 
such Redress if the Destruction of the Tea at Boston be regarded as an 
Invasion of private Property, we shall be willing to contribute towards 
paying the East India Company the Value: but as we consider the said 
Company as the Tools and Instrument of Oppression in the Hands of 
Government and the Cause of our present Distress, it is the Opinion of 
this Meeting that the People of these Colonies shou'd forbear all further 
Dealings with them, by refusing to purchase their Merchandize, until that 
Peace Safety and Good- order, which they have disturbed, be perfectly 
restored. And that all Tea now in this Colony, or which shall be imported 
into it shiped before the first Day of September next, shou'd be deposited 
in some Store-house to be appointed by the respective Committees of each 
County, until a sufficient Sum of Money be raised by Subscription to 
reimburse the Owners the Value, and then to be publickly burn'd and 
destroyed; and if the same is not paid for and destroyed as aforesaid, 
that it remain in the Custody of the said Committees, at the Risque of the 
Owners, until the Act of Parliament imposing a Duty upon Tea for raising a 
Revenue in America be repealed; and imediatly afterwards be delivered unto 
the several Proprietors thereof, their Agents or Attorneys.

12. Resolved that Nothing will so much contribute to defeat the pernicious 
Designs of the common Enemies of Great Britain and her Colonies as a firm 
Union of the latter; who ought to regard every Act of Violence or 
Oppression inflicted upon any one of them, as aimed at all; and to effect 
this desireable Purpose, that a Congress shou'd be appointed, to consist 
of Deputies from all the Colonies, to concert a general and uniform Plan 
for the Defence and Preservation of our common Rights, and continueing the 
Connection and Dependance of the said Colonies upon Great Britain under a 
just, lenient, permanent, and constitutional Form of Government.

13. Resolved that our most sincere and cordial Thanks be given to the 
Patrons and Friends of Liberty in Great Britain, for their spirited and 
patriotick Conduct in Support of our constitutional Rights and Privileges, 
and their generous Efforts to prevent the present Distress and Calamity of 
America.

14. Resolved that every little jarring Interest and Dispute, which has 
ever happened between these Colonies, shou'd be buried in eternal 
Oblivion; that all Manner of Luxury and Extravagance ought imediatly to be 
laid aside, as totally inconsistent with the threatening and gloomy 
Prospect before us; that it is the indispensable Duty of all the Gentlemen 
and Men of Fortune to set Examples of Temperance, Fortitude, Frugality and 
Industry; and give every Encouragement in their Power, particularly by 
Subscriptions and Premiums, to the Improvement of Arts and Manufactures in 
America; that great Care and Attention shou'd be had to the Cultivation of 
Flax, Cotton, and other Materials for Manufactures; and we recommend it to 
such of the Inhabitants who have large Stocks of Sheep, to sell to their 
Neighbors at a moderate Price, as the most certain Means of speedily 
increasing our Breed of Sheep, and Quantity of Wool.

15. Resolved that until American Grievances be redressed, by Restoration 
of our just Rights and Privileges, no Goods or Merchandize whatsoever 
ought to be imported into this Colony, which shall be shiped from Great 
Britain or Ireland after the first Day of September next, except Linnens 
not exceeding fifteen Pence {per} yard, coarse woolen Cloth, not exceeding 
two Shillings sterling {per} Yard, Nails Wire, and Wire-Cards, Needles & 
Pins, Paper, Salt Petre, and Medecines; which may {which three Articles 
only may} be imported until the first Day of September, one thousand seven 
hundred and seventy six; and if any Goods or Merchandize, othe[r] than 
those hereby excepted, shou'd be ship'd from Great Britain, {or Ireland} 
after the time aforesaid, to this Colony, that the same, immediately upon 
their Arrival, shou'd either be sent back again, by the Owners their 
Agents or Attorn[ey]s, or stored and deposited in some Ware- house, to be 
appointed by the Committee for each respective County, and there kept, at 
the Risque and Charge of the Owners, to be delivered to them, when a free 
Importation of Goods hither shall again take Place. And that the Merchants 
and Venders of Goods and Merchandize within this Colony ought not to take 
Advantage of our present Distress b[u]t continue to sell the Goods and 
Merchandize which they now have, or which may be shiped to them before the 
first Day of September next, at the same Rates and Prices they have been 
accustomed to do, within one Year last past; and if any Person shall sell 
such Goods on any other Terms than above expressed, that no Inhabitant of 
this Colony shou'd at any time, for ever thereafter, deal with him, his 
Agent, Factor, or Store keepers for any Commodity whatsoever.

16. Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting, that the Merchants 
and Venders of Goods and Merchandize within this Colony shou'd take an 
Oath, not to sell or dispose of any Goods or Merchandize whatsoever, which 
may be shiped from Great Britain {or Ireland} after the first Day of 
September next as aforesaid, except the {three} Articles before excepted, 
and that they will, upon Receipt of such prohibited Goods, either send the 
same back again by the first Opportunity, or deliver them to the 
Committees in the respective Countys, to be deposited in some Warehouse, 
at the Risque and Charge of the Owners, until they, their Agents or 
Factors be permitted to take them away by the said Committees: the Names 
of those who refuse to take such Oath to be advertized by the respective 
Committees in the Countys wherein they reside., And to the End that the 
Inhabitants of this Colony may know what Merchants, and Venders of Goods 
and Merchandize have taken such Oath, that the respective Committees 
shou'd grant a Certificate thereof to every such Person who shall take the 
same.

17. Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting, that during our 
present Difficulties and Distress, no Slaves ought to be imported into any 
of the British Colonies on this Continent; and we take this Opportunity of 
declaring our most earnest Wishes to see an entire Stop for ever put to 
such a wicked cruel and unnatural Trade.

18. Resolved that no kind of Lumber shou'd be exported from this Colony to 
the West Indies, until America be restored to her constitutional Rights 
and Liberties if the other Colonies will accede to a like Resolution; and 
that it be recommended to the general Congress to appoint as early a Day 
as possible for stopping such Export.

19. Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting, if American 
Grievances be not redressed before the first Day of November one thousand 
seven hundred and seventy five, that all Exports of Produce from the 
several Colonies to Great Britain {or Ireland} shou'd cease; and to carry 
the said Resolution more effectually into Execution, that we will not 
plant or cultivate any Tobacco, after the Crop now growing; provided the 
same Measure shall be adopted by the other Colonies on this Continent, as 
well those who have heretofore made Tobacco, as those who have n[o]t. And 
it is our Opinion also, if the Congress of Deputies from the several 
Colonies shall adopt the Measure of Non- exportation to Great Britain, as 
the People will be thereby disabled from paying their Debts, that no 
Judgements shou'd be rendered by the Courts in the said Colonies for any 
Debt, after Information of the said Measure's being determined upon.

20. Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting that a solemn Covenant 
and Association shou'd be entered into by the Inhabitants of all the 
Colonies upon Oath, that they will not, after the Times which shall be 
respectively agreed on at the general Congress, export any Manner of 
Lumber to the West Indies, nor any of their Produce to Great Britain {or 
Ireland}, or sell or dispose of the same to any Person who shall not have 
entered into the said Covenant and Association; and also that they will no 
import or receive any Goods or Merchandize which shall be ship'd from 
Great Britain {or Ireland} after the first Day of September next, other 
than the before enumerated Articles, nor buy or purchase any Goods, except 
as before excepted, of any Person whatsoever, who shall not have taken the 
Oath herein before recommended to be taken by the Merchants and Venders of 
Goods nor buy or purchase any Slaves hereafter imported into any Part of 
this Continent until a free Exportation and Importation be again resolved 
on by a Majority of the Representatives or Deputies of the Colonies. And 
that the respective Committees of the Countys, in each Colony so soon as 
the Covenant and Association becomes general, publich by Advertisements in 
their several Counties {and Gazettes of their Colonies}, a List of the 
Names of those (if any such there be) who will not accede thereto; that 
such Traitors to their Country may be publickly known and detested.

21. Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting, that this and the 
other associating Colonies shou'd break off all Trade, Intercourse, and 
Dealings, with that Colony Province or Town which shall decline or refuse 
to agree to the Plan which shall be adopted by the general Congress.

22. Resolved that shou'd the Town of Boston be forced to submit to the 
late cruel and oppressive Measures of Government, that we shall not hold 
the same to be binding upon us, but will, notwithstanding , religiously 
maintain, and inviolably adhere to such Measures as shall be concerted by 
the general Congress, for the preservation of our Lives Liberties and 
Fortunes.

23. Resolved that it be recommended to the Deputies of the general 
Congress to draw up and transmit an humble and dutiful Petition and 
Remonstrance to his Majesty, asserting with decent Firmness our just and 
constitutional Rights and Privileg[es,] lamenting the fatal Necessity of 
being compelled to enter into Measur[es] disgusting to his Majesty and his 
Parliament, or injurious to our fellow Subjects in Great Britain; 
declaring, in the strongest Terms, ou[r] Duty and Affection to his 
Majesty's Person, Family [an]d Government, and our Desire to continue our 
Dependance upon Great Bri[tai]n; and most humbly conjuring and besecching 
his Majesty, not to reduce his faithful Subjects of America to a State of 
desperation, and to reflect, that from our Sovereign there can be but one 
Appeal. And it is the Opinion of this Meeting, that after such Petition 
and Remonstrance shall have been presented to his Majesty, the same shou'd 
be printed in the public Papers, in all the principal Towns in Great 
Britain.

24. Resolved that George Washington Esquire, and George Broadwater Gent. 
lately elected our Representatives to serve in the general Assembly, be 
appointed to attend the Convention at Williamsburg on the first Day of 
August next, and present these Resolves, as the Sense of the People of 
this County, upon the Measures proper to be taken in the present alarming 
and dangerous Situation of America.