[June 1774]
[1] Resolved that the Disposal of their own Property is the inherent Right of Freemen; that there can be no property in that which another may of Right take from us without our Consent, that the claim of Parliament to tax America is, in other Words, a claim of Right to levy Contributions on us at Pleasure.
[2] Resolved that the Duty imposed by Parliament <mutilated> upon Tea landed in America is a Tax on the Americans, or levying Contributions on them without our Consent.
3 Resolved That the express Purpose for which the Tax is levied on the Americans, Namely for the Support of Government, Administration of Justice, and Defense of his Majestys Dominions in America, has a direct Tendency to render Assemblies Useless and to introduce Arbitrary Government <and Slavery>?
4 Resolved That a Virtuous and steady opposition to this Mini<ste>rial Plan of governing America is Absolutely - necessary to preserve even the Shadow of Liberty, and is a Duty which every Freeman in America owes to his Country, to himself, and to his Posterity
5 Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee that East India Tea be not Used in this Colony so lon<g> as a duty remains on it for raising a Revenu<e> in America, and that whoever does Use it is an Enemy to the Rights and libertys of America
6 Resolved that the blocking up, or attempting to block up the Harbor of Boston, until the people there shall submit to the payment of Taxes imposed on them without the Consent of their representatives, is a most Violent and dangerous Attem<pt> to destroy the constitutional liberty and rights of all British America
7. Resolved that [ ] be appointed Deputies from this House to meet at, [ ] such Deputies from the other Colonies, as they shall appoint there to consider and determine on ways the Most effectual to Stop the Exports from North America and for the adoption of of such other Methods as shall be most decisive for securing the Constitutional rights of America against the Systimatic plan formed for their destruction.
Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, p. 115. Transcription taken from a manuscript copy made by Squire Lee. Lee inclosed a copy of these resolutions in his letter to his brother William of 26 June 1774.