Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/409

PLEDGE OF LIVES AND FORTUNES. 327 and Thomas Allin, Esq., or a major part of them be a com- mittee for this town to correspond with all the other Com- mittees appointed by any Town in this or the neighboring governments, and the Committee is desired to give their attention to every thing that concerns the liberties of America and if any of that obnoxious Tea should be brought into this Town or any attempt made on the liberties of the inhabitants thereof, the Committee is directed and empow- ered to call a town meeting forthwith that such measures may be taken as the public safety may require. Scveiith : That we do heartily unite in and resolve to support the foregoing resolves with our lives and fortunes. Voted, That the above resolves be published in the Provi- dence Gazette. Witness : Solomon Townsend, Town Clerk" Thus the people of Barrington felt and acted thirteen months before the first gun was fired at Concord Bridge and on Lexington Common, offering property and life, if needed, for the defence of the rights not only of Barrington but of the American people. Other towns of this Colony may have felt as strongly as did Barrington, but from the records none made so unequivocal and heroic an utterance as, " We will SUPPORT THESE DECLARATIONS HEARTILY WITH OUR LIVES AND FORTUNES." "Burn Boston, and make John Hancock a beggar, if neces- sary to accomplish this object," were the stirring words of that great patriot, but the words and votes of Barrington farmers were more weighty than those of the Boston states- man. He threw property into the flames, they, life and property for the success of their cause. These resolves were "The Bill of Rights " and "The Declaration of Independ- ence " in one brief document, twenty-eight months in advance of the immortal edict at Philadelphia of July 4, 1776, and were given to the world throuerh the columns of the