Planning a Strategy
Fictional Diary Entry of Sam Adams July 1, 1773
I, Sam Adams, founder of the Committees of Correspondence, spent an evening with James and Mercy Warren in October , 1772. As we sat by the fire, the idea of a system of letter writing to inform other colonies the news or actions taken by both colonists and Great Britain began to form. This means of communicating would also serve as an advisement system by which we would suggest courses or plans of action to take against Great Britain.
In order for the townspeople to agree to this form of letter writing, a town meeting was held at Faneuil Hall on November 2, 1772. At this gathering a committee of 21 individuals was established. It was understood the entire colony of Massachusetts Bay would found additional committees to continue this network of letter writing from town to town and city to city. Hopefully, this form of communication would catch on to the entire 13 colonies as a way of uniting our efforts against Great Britain.
Despite my trembling hands, I would like to include an excerpt from a letter written to Benjamin Franklin of the Massachusetts House of Representatives describing my feelings on being taxed by Parliament:
". . .We cannot think the doctrine of the right of Parliament to tax us is given up, while an act remains in force for that purpose, and is daily put in execution; and the longer it remains the more danger there is of the people's becoming so accustomed to arbitrary and unconstitutional taxes, as to pay them without discontent; and then, as you justly observe, no Minister will ever think of taking them off, but will rather be encouraged to add others.--If ever the provincial assemblies should be voluntarily silent, on the Parliament's taking upon themselves a power thus to violate our constitutional and Charter Rights, it might be considered as an approbation of it, or at least a tacit consent, that such a power should be exercised at any future time. It is therefore our duty to declare our Rights and our determined Resolution at all times to maintain them: The time we know will come, when they must be acknowledged, established and secured to us and our posterity." . . .
Letters such as the above would be hand-delivered under doors, posted on tree trunks, published in newspapers, and printed in pamphlets. This particular excerpt was published in the Boston Gazette dated July 29, 1771. It is my intention the Committees of Correspondence would share their ideas in all colonies to unite our efforts against those unacceptable actions imposed by England’s King.