THE ASSOCIATION

THE ASSOCIATION

Forms of Association

On October 20, 1774 the Continental Congress passed a resolution that no British made goods should be purchased. To show support for this action, colonists were asked to sign an association to show support of the Continental Congress. Those who signed the association began to refer to themselves as patriots and those who refused to sign were called Tories or loyalists.

Acting on the suggestion of the Continental Congress, the inhabitants of the City, on April 29, 1775, adopted a Form of the Association pledging support to the Continental Congress and to the Provincial Convention. This Form was sent to all the counties in the Province of New York.

The line was now drawn sharply between the Associators, or the American Associators, and the Non- Associators. The latter were mentioned by name in Suffolk County, and they were sometimes called "Recusants," "Very Bad Men" &c.

At the suggestion of the Continental Congress, the following Form of Association to support Congress and the Provincial Convention was adopted, by the Freemen, Freeholders, and inhabitants of the city and county of New York, on Saturday, the 29th of April, 1775, and transmitted for signing to all the counties in the province:

Persuaded, that the Salvation of the Rights and Liberties of America depends, under God, on the firm Union of its Inhabitants, in a vigorous Prosecution of the Measures necessary for its Safety; and convinced of the Necessity of preventing the Anarchy and Confusion, which attend a Dissolution of the Powers of Government; We the Freeholders and Inhabitants of ___________, being greatly alarmed at the avowed Design of the Ministry, to raise a revenue in America; and shocked by the bloody scene, now acting in Massachusetts Bay, DO, in the most solemn Manner resolve, never to become Slaves; and do associate under all the Ties of Religion, Honour, and Love to our Country, to adopt and endeavour to carry into Execution, whatever Measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress; or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for the Purpose of preserving our Constitution, and vincial Convention and opposing the Execution of several arbitrary, and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament; until a Reconciliation between Great Britain and America, on Constitutional Principles, (which we most ardently Desire) can be obtained; And that we will in all Things follow the Advice of our General Committee, respecting the Purposes aforesaid, the Preservation of Peace and good Order, and the Safety of Individuals, and private property.

Dated in _____May, 1775