The Merchants, Traders, Gentlemen, and other principal Inhabitants of the Colony of Virginia in general & of the County of in particular, deeply affected with the Grievances and Distresses with which his Majesty's American Subjects are oppressed, and dreading the evils which threaten the Ruin of themselves and their posterity, by reducing them from a free and happy people to a Wretched & miserable State of Slavery, having taken into their Serious Consideration the present State of the Trade of this Colony, and of the American Commerce in general, observe with anxiety that the Debt due to Great Britain for Goods imported from thence is very great, and the means of paying this Debt in the present Situation of affairs likely to become more and more precarious—
that the Difficulties under which they now labour as a Trading people are owing to the Restrictions prohibitions, & ill advised Regulations in several late Acts of parliament in Great Britain; in particular that the last unconstitutional Acts imposing Duties on Tea, Paper, Glass &c. for the sole purpose of raising a Revenue in America, being injurious to property, & destructive to Liberty, have a necessary Tendency to prevent the payment of Old Debts or the Contracting of New, and are of Consequence ruinous to Trade—T
1hat notwithstanding the many earnest applications already made there is little reason to expect a Redress of these Grievances. Therefore in justice to themselves & their posterity, as well as to the Traders of Great Britain concern'd in the American Commerce, the Subscribers have Voluntarily & Unanimously entered into the following Resolutions, in Hopes that their Example will Stimulate the good people of the Colony to be frugal in the Use & Consumption of British Manufacture, and that their Brethern the Merchants & Manufacturers of Great Britain may from motives of Interest justice, & Friendship be engaged to exert themselves to obtain Redress of those Grievances under which the Trade & inhabitants of America at present Labour.
First It is unanimously agreed on & resolved this Day of 1769. That the Subscribers as well by their own Example as by all other legal ways & means in their power, will promote & encourage Industry & Frugality & discourage all manner of Luxury & Extravigance.
Secondly That they will not at any time hereafter directly or indirectly import or cause to be imported any Manner of Goods Merchandize or Manufactures which are or shall hereafter be taxed by Act of Parliament for the purpose of raising a Revenue in America (except such only as orders have been already sent for) nor purchase any such after the first Day of September next of any person Whatsoever—But that they will always consider such Taxation in every Respect as an absolute prohibition, and in all future Orders direct their correspondents to ship them no Goods whatever taxed as aforesaid.
Thirdly That the Subscribers will not hereafter directly or indirectly import or cause to be imported from Great Britain or any part of Europe (except such Articles of the produce or manufacture of Ireland as are brought hither imediately from thence, & Fruit & Oyl imediatly from the Mediteranean & except also such Goods as orders have been already sent for) any of the Goods hereinafter enumerated vizt. Spirits, Wine, Cyder, perry, Beer, Ale, Malt, Barley, peas, Beef, Pork, Fish, Butter, Cheese, Tallow, Candles, Oyl, Fruit, (Sugar) pickles, Confectionry, Pewter, Hoes, Axes, Watches, Clocks, Tables, Chairs, Looking-glasses, Carriages, Jointers & Cabinet Work of all Sorts, & Upholstery of all Sorts, Trinkets & Jewellery, plate, & Gold & Silver Smiths Work of all Sorts, Ribbons & Millenary of all sorts, (Lace of all sorts) India Goods of all Sorts (except Spices) Silks of all Sorts (except Sewing Silk) Cambricks, Lawn, Muslin, Gauze (except Boulting Cloths) Callico or Cotton Stuffs of more than 2/ pr. yd. Linnens at more than 2/ pr. yr. Wollen Worsted & Mix'd Stuffs of all sorts at more the 1/6 pr. yd. Broad Cloaths of all kinds at more than 8/ pr. yd. Narrow Cloaths of all kinds at more than 3/ pr. yd. Nets, Stockings, Shoes, & Boots, Saddles, & all Manufacturers of Leather & Skins of all kinds until the late Acts of parliament imposing Duties on Tea, paper, Glass &c. for the purpose of raising a Revenue in America are repealed; and that they will not after the first of September next purchase any of the above enumerated goods of any person whatever, unless the above mentioned Acts of parliament are repealed.
Fourthly That in all orders which any of the Subscribers may hereafter send to Great Britain they shall & will expressly direct their correspondents not to Ship them any of the above enumerated goods, untill the before mentioned Acts of parliament are repealed; and if any Goods are ship'd them contrary to the tenor of this Agreement, they will refuse to take the same, or make themselves chargible therewith.
Fifthly That they will not import any Slaves, or purchase any (hereafter) imported untill the said Acts of parliament are repeale'd.
Sixthly That if the Measures already entered into should prove ineffectual, & our Grievances & oppressions shoud notwithstanding be continue'd; then & in that case, the Subscribers will put a stop to their exports to Europe of Tar, pitch, Turpentine, Timber, & Lumber, & Skins and Furs of all sorts, and will endeavour to find some other Employment for their Slaves and other Hands than cultivating Tobacco, which they will entirely leave off making, & will enter into such Regulations as may be necessary with Regard to Rents & other Tobacco Debts (due to them).
Seventhly & Lastly That these Resolves shall be binding on all & each of the Subscribers, who do hereby each and every person for himself upon his Word & Honour agree, that he will strictly & firmly adhere to & abide by every Article of this Agreement from the time of his signing the same for & during the continuance of the before mentioned Acts of parliament; or untill a general Meeting of the Subscribers, after one Months public Notice, shall determine otherwise; the second Article of this Agreement still, & forever continuing in full power & Force.