CHRONOLOGY ; THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD : 1763-1776
 

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1765 of America at this alarming Juncture, are come to Town, and the
Oct-   rest daily expected; We hear they have already begun their Con-

3 ferences [but see OcL 7], which It is supposed will be continued a
sufficient Time to answer the Purposes of their appointment-"—
N. Y. Post-Bey,Oct. 3, 1765,

7         The "Slamp Act Congress" meets at the city hall. New York,

It is described at the rime as "the most important that ever came
under Consideration in America." There are 28 delegates from
nine of the colonies; four of the colonies did not send delegates,
though expressing thdr sympathy with the movement. The hst of
"the Gentlemen assembled " was given in the newspaper that week.
They came from Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New Yori:, New Jersey, Pennsylvama, "the counties ot New
Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware," Maryland, and South
CaroUna.—-W, Y. Posl-Boy,Oct. 10, 1765. OnOct. 19, a "declara¬
rion ot the rights and grievances of the colonists in America,"
originaUy drafted by John Dickinson, a delegate from Pennsyl¬
vania,, was agreed 10. It set forth, in 14 artides, their ptotest
against any taxation by the British parliament in which they were
nol represented, theit right to trial by jury, and the "manifest
tendency" of the Stamp Act "to subvert the rights and liberties of
the colonists." On Oct. 22, the congress approved an address to
the king which reviewed the conditions under which the colonies
had been established and the inherent liberties secured 10 them by
the English constitution. It besought the king to take into con¬
sideration the distresses ot his subjects on this continent caused hy
"the late acts of parliament imposing duties and taxes on these
colonies," and "to afford them such leUef as in your royal wisdom
their unhappy circumstances shall be judged to require," The
memorial 10 the lords, passed the same day, cldmed "one of the
mosl essential rights of these colonists to be trial by jury" and
entered formal protest against taxation by the British parliament,
especiaUy against the Stamp Act. It entreated them "to pursue
measures for restoiing the just rights and liberties ot the colonists
and preserving ihem forever inviolate, for redressing their present
and preventing future grievances." The petition to the house ot
commons expressed essenlidly the same dissatisfactions and
desires as those embodied in the memorid to the lords. The con¬
gress adjourned Oct. 25 {q.v.).—Niles, Weekly Register, II; 337-42,
353-55- See Winsor,A'ar.©'Cr;/.H'(«.o/.^m., VI: 74, for a full
bibliography; also N, Y. Pub. Library Bulletin, 1: 101.

9         The provinda] coundi hears from Sir Henry Moore, the newly

appointed governour (see Sept. 24), that he will soon leave England.
—-Cd. Coun. Min., 469. See Nov. 13.

10          A third New York coach-builder (see Jan, 22, 1750; Nov, 10,
1755) advertises his business. This is Samuel Lawrence, "at the
Sign ot tbe Chariot and Phaiton, opposite St. Paul's Chappel, in the
Fields, who, tor severd Years past, transacted Business for his
Brothel, James Lawrence [see Nov. 10, 1755] In the Broad-Way:—
Where Gentlemen, and olhers, can have made, in the genteelest
Taste, and equal to any made in Europe: Coaches, Chariots,
Phitons, Chdrs, and every olher Machine in the Business, not
inferior to any imported from London."—A'. 1*. Post-Boy,
Oct. 10, 1765; Houghton, Coaches ofColonidN. Y. (1890), 14, 19-

11          The following notice appears; "Whereas a great Inconvenience
arises, for Want of a particular Place being appointed for the Sale
of all Sorts of Home Manufactures, which greatiy discourages the
Maker from bringing such Things to Town; and when brought,
they are obliged to strole about tbe Streets with tiiem, in an uncer¬
tain and disagreeable Manner. And whereas a like Inconvenience
arises to dl Persons wanting to supply themselves with such
Articles; which the Sociely for promoting Arts, Sec. having con¬
sidered, al a full Meeting, on Monday the 7lh instant October, it
was unanimously agreed and resolved to give this public Notice,
That a Market will be held bdow the New-Exchange, in the Cit^
ot New-York, on Wednesday the 23d ot this Month: Also on the
first and third Wednesday ot Novemlwr and December, and on the
third Wednesday ot every Month following. That on said Days
wil! be exposed to Sale, AU Sorts of Home Manufacture only; And
Notice is hereby given. That the tollowing Articles are in gieat
Demand, Linen and Woolen Yarn; Linen and Woolen Cloths and
Stuffs, of all Soils; Tow-Cloth, Stockings wove and knit. It is
therefore hoped that the Sellers will conform to this Regulation, so
advantageous and convenient to them; and that Buyers wUI there
supply themselves, where they may meet with greater Choice of
the Articles wanted-   N-B- Most of the Inhabitants of the City
 

I

have agreed, not to buy any ot the above Articles trom Hawkers   <
andStrolers."-A''.r.i'o«-Boy,Oct- 17, 1765-

Colden writes Sec Conway that "the Inflamatory Papers con¬
tinue to be pubUshed, exdting the People 10 oppose the eiecution
of the Acl of Parfiament tor laying a Stamp Duly in the Colonies,"
The "mosl remarkable of these" was "distributed along the Post
Roads by the Post Riders." The New Yotk post master tound that
"one or more bundles of them were delivered at Woodbridge, New
Jersey, to the Post Rider [see Ocl. l], by James Parker Secretary to
the General Post Office inN, America." Colden adds: "Parker was
formerly a piinter in this place [New York] and has now a Printing
Press and continues to print occasionally. It is believed that this
Paper was printed by him."—AT. Y. Col. Docs., VII: 767.

John Holt Slates in the Post-Boy: "A Meeting of the Friends to
Liberty and the English Constitution, In this City and Parts adja¬
cent, is earnestly desired, by great Numbers ot the Inhabitants, in
order to form an Association ot al! who are not already Slaves, In
Opposition to all attempts lo make them so."—N. Y. Post-Boy,
Oct. 17, 1765.

This evening the ship "Edward," which "brought us, last :
Voyage, the News that the Stamp Act was passed, has now brought
the Stamps theraselves, . . . They were ship'd so privately, that
not a Passenger in the Ship knew ot thdr being on board, tiU a Man
of War here came on board to lake Care ot their Security."—Af. Y.
Post-Boy, Oct. 24, 1765, Montresor says that 2,000 people gathered
the next day "on the Battery expecting the Stamps would be
landed, but were disappointed." They were secretly landed in the
night and deposited in the tort. Many placards appeared "threat¬
ening the Lives, Houses and properties of any one who shaU
either issue or receive a stamp."—Monlresor's Jour., op, cil,, 336.
Colden wrote in his "Account Book," under date of Ocl, 23;
"Gave a Saylor belonging lo the Garland who brought the first
Bail of Slamp'd Papers inlo the Fort - - . £00:04^)0."—Co/An
MSS.

The stamps having just arrived, James McEvers is requested to   :
lake charge ot them, bul he refuses.-Ca/. Coun. Min., 469. A letter
received trom him by Colden on Aug, 30 (q.v.) contdned his resig¬
nation as "Distributor of Stamps."

A market tor "Home Manufactures" is openeu "under the
Exchange," the goods being brought here by tbeir makers from their
homes in the country. "There was plenty of Women's Shoes ot
different Makers, which had a quick Sale, and Hose's Make were
totally discredited by all the Judicious. Brown bleached Linen
and Diaper, Cambrick, Thread Stockings, and Caps, and Woolen
Yam Stockings were quickly sold—And great Demand was made
for more of these Articles, and also for Woolen Cloths and Stuffs ot
all Sorts, New-England Checks, Gloves, and Mittens—And it is
hoped, that next Market Day, being Wednesday the 6'4' of Novem¬
ber, the Country Makers wiU supply the great Demand."—A'. Y.
Post-Boy, Oct. 24, 1765. The market days were the first and third
Wednesdays ot each month. On Nov. 6, there was the same
greal demand. Everything was "immediately bought up," as all
ranks ot people look "a laudable Pride in wearing what is made
among ourselves." It was hoped "to convince the mosl incredulous,
that we are not so destitute of either Ingenuity, Materials, or pubhc
spirit, as has been allcdged."—Ibid., Nov. 7, 1765; and see ibid.,
Dec 19, 1765; Jan. 2, 1766.

The"SlampAct Congress" alNew Yotk (seeOct. 7) adjourns. :
The clerk was directed lo make a copy of the proceedings ot the
congress for the use ot each one of tbe colonies. Two sets were sent
to England in different vessels.—See Authentic Account of the Pro¬
ceedings eflhe Congress held al New York in MDCCLXV (pamphlet,
1767, in N- Y- Pub. Library). See also TheHisi. of Politlcd Parties
in the Province ofN. Y., 1760-1776, by Carl L. Becker, in Bulletin
No. 286, Univ- of Wis., April, 1909,

James McEvers, the "Distributor of Stamps" having resigned    :
(see Aug. 30), and the care of the stamps having devolved upon the
Ueutenant-governour, the'commissi on ers ot the slamp office, Lond on,
are intormed by David Colden (son ot the lieutenant-governour)
regarding the situation in New York.—Co/An Papers (1877), 50-52.

Colden writes to Sec Conway that he now has "five packages of
stamped Paper tor this Province in the Governor's House in the
Fort, and two for Connecticut, Three more are still on board [the
"Edward"], which could not be come at." He thus describes the
circumstances of their arrival: "I desired the Captains of His
Majesty's Ships of War, now In the River, 10 protect the ship in
which they should come.  For this purpose a sloop was placed at