The Fairfax Resolves of 1774
George Washington - statue outside the National Gallery, London (2024)
250 years ago, in 1774, the American colonies accepted that they were part of the British Empire.
Just two years later, in 1776, they declared their independence. What changed?
The road to the American Revolution has a host of milestones. One of these is the passing of the Fairfax Resolves in July 1774. Co-written by George Washington, the Resolves give us insights into the thinking of a significant revolutionary leader, at a critical time in the formation of the United States.
Background to the Fairfax Resolves
The Resolves were penned because the British were gradually increasing their pressure on the American colonies.
At the time there were 13 colonies. They stretched down the east coast of North America, from Massachusetts in the north to Georgia in the south. Each colony had some form of local government.
In Virginia, home of George Washington, the local government included the House of Burgesses. Washington was elected to a place in 1758. The colony was governed by John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore.
He was reluctant to work with the House of Burgesses. Whenever he brought them together, they indicated their concerns about British taxation, lack of representation and possible corruption.
In December 1773 a group of Americans boarded a ship and threw an entire cargo of tea into Boston harbour. The Boston Tea Party, as it became known, was a protest at Britain imposing taxes without consulting the Americans. The colonists had no one to represent them in Parliament.
This protest encouraged the British to pass more laws, this time to punish Massachusetts and the port of Boston. To show their support for Massachusetts, the Virginia burgesses declared 1 June 1774 as a day of prayer and fasting.
Governor Dunmore’s response was to dissolve the House. But the Burgesses simply moved to a nearby tavern and continued meeting. They determined to hold a convention at Williamsburg on 1 August.
In preparation for this, George Washington and George Mason wrote the Fairfax Resolves, in July 1774.
The Resolves were accepted by a committee at Fairfax County in Virginia. The meeting was overseen by George Washington.
Mount Vernon, home of George Washington
The importance of the Fairfax Resolves
The Fairfax Resolves are a clear statement about how many Americans felt in 1774.
They were frustrated, and some were angry, about how they were being treated by the British government.
Taxes and other laws were being imposed by rulers based thousands of miles away. Americans could not elect anyone to parliament. They had no local aristocracy who they could lobby in order to be heard.
These Resolves are far from unique. Many other counties were writing something similar.
Writing and sharing documents like the Resolves was a peaceful form of protest. But their contents promised that direct action would follow. That action would be to boycott trade with Britain.
At the time it was written, in July 1774, many Americans didn’t want to break entirely with Britain. But these Resolves give strong hints that the 13 colonies would start working more closely together to protect their freedom and rights.
The first of the 24 Fairfax Resolves
(Library of Congress, USA)
The content of the Fairfax Resolves
The document’s name is drawn from the opening words of each statement or resolution. There are 24 in total and each starts with the word ‘Resolved’.
These are the Resolves: some in full, others summarised.
Where I’ve quoted from the original, I’ve kept their spelling and grammar.
1. ‘Resolved that this Colony and Dominion of Virginia can not be considered as a conquered Country’. The Americans have the same rights as anyone in England.
2. ‘Resolved that … the fundamental Principle of the People's being governed by no Laws, to which they have not given their Consent, by Representatives freely chosen by themselves;’
If this doesn’t happen, government becomes despotic or tyrannical, and people lose their freedom.
3. ‘Resolved therefore, as the Inhabitants of the american Colonies are not, and from their Situation can not be represented in the British Parliament.’
Therefore, laws must be made in America, although still subject to the British Crown. Trade should be fair, ‘the reciprocal Benefits flowing from it produced mutual uninterrupted Harmony and Good-Will, between the Inhabitants of Great Britain and her Colonies; who during that long Period, always considered themselves as one and the same People.’
4. ‘Resolved that it is the Duty of these Colonies, on all Emergencies, to contribute, in Proportion to their Abilities, Situation and Circumstances, to the necessary Charge of supporting and defending the British Empire,’
But only while the Americans are treated as equals. The recent taxes are unfair.
5. ‘Resolved that’ the British Parliament’s claim to make laws and tax the colonies without their consent is contrary to the constitution and ‘totally incompatible with the Privileges of a free People, and the natural Rights of Mankind.’
The American legislatures are rendered ineffective and the people reduced ‘from a State of Freedom and Happiness to Slavery and Misery.’
6. ‘Resolved that Taxation and Representation are in their Nature inseperable.’ When people have no rights to influence those who decide what taxes are due, there’s a risk of ‘Despotism and Tyranny.’
7. ‘Resolved that the Powers over the People of America now claimed by the British House of Commons,’ who Americans can’t elect nor influence, and who are very separate from America, ‘must if continued, establish the most grievous and intollerable Species of Tyranny and Oppression, that ever was inflicted upon Mankind.’
8. ‘Resolved that it is our greatest Wish and Inclination, as well as Interest, to continue our Connection with, and Dependance upon the British Government; but tho' we are it's Subjects, we will use every Means which Heaven hath given us to prevent our becoming it's Slaves.’
9. ‘Resolved that’ the British government is deliberately prejudicing the British people and the king against the Americans, and ‘by various Acts of Violence and Oppression’, aiming ‘to reduce Us to a State of Desperation.’
10. ‘Resolved that’ the British are oppressing Americans by taxing them without their consent, and by laws designed to punish Boston and Massachusetts. ‘That the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston are now suffering in the common Cause of all British America, and are justly entitled to it's Support and Assistance,’ in the form of financial aid from the colonies.
11. ‘Resolved that We will cordially join with our Friends and Brethren of this and the other Colonies’ to get redress for our grievances. Americans will contribute to paying for the tea destroyed at Boston, but will refuse to have further dealings with the East India Company until ‘Peace Safety and Good-order, which they have disturbed, be perfectly restored.’
12. ‘Resolved that’ to defeat their enemies, Great Britain and her colonies should stand together as one, ‘and to effect this desireable Purpose, that a Congress shou'd be appointed, to consist of Deputies from all the Colonies’ to plan for ‘the Defence and Preservation of our common Rights’ and the continuing connection between the colonies and Great Britain ‘under a just, lenient, permanent, and constitutional Form of Government.’
13. Resolved that our most sincere and cordial Thanks be given to the Patrons and Friends of Liberty in Great Britain, for their spirited and patriotick Conduct in Support of our constitutional Rights and Privledges, and their generous Efforts to prevent the present Distress and Calamity of America.
14. ‘Resolved that every little jarring Interest and Dispute, which has ever happened between these Colonies, shou'd be buried in eternal Oblivion;’ as it's the duty of all gentlemen to support ‘the Improvement of Arts and Manufactures in America; that great Care and Attention shou'd be had to the Cultivation of Flax, Cotton, and other Materials for Manufactures’ and people who have large stocks of sheet should ‘sell to their Neighbors at a moderate Price.’
15. ‘Resolved that until American Grievances be redressed’ no goods from Britain or Ireland should be imported into Virginia. There are a number of exceptions to this. Steps should be taken to avoid profiteering.
16. ‘Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting’ that merchants should take an oath not to sell goods shipped from Britain or Ireland, other than the excepted items.
17. ‘Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting, that during our present Difficulties and Distress, no Slaves ought to be imported into any of the British Colonies on this Continent; and we take this Opportunity of declaring our most earnest Wishes to see an entire Stop for ever put to such a wicked cruel and unnatural Trade.’
18. ‘Resolved that’ no timber be exported from Virginia to the West Indies ‘until America be restored to her constitutional Rights and Liberties’, if the other colonies agree to this.
19. ‘Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting if American Grievances be not redressed’ by 1 November 1775, all exports to Britain and Ireland should cease and Americans will stop growing tobacco - if the other colonies do likewise.
20. ‘Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting’ that all the colonies should take an oath not to supply timber or produce to Britain and Ireland, nor will they import. There will be no dealings with anyone who does not take the oath. Newspapers will publish lists of those who do not take the oath, ‘that such Traitors to their Country may be publickly known and detested.’
21. Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Meeting, that this and the other associating Colonies shou'd break off all Trade, Intercourse, and Dealings, with that Colony Province or Town which shall refuse or decline or refuse to agree to the Plan which shall be adopted by the general Congress.
22. ‘Resolved that shou'd the Town of Boston be forced to submit to the late cruel and oppressive Measures of Government’, Americans will adopt the measures agreed by their general Congress ‘for the preservation of our Lives Liberties and Fortunes.’
23. ‘Resolved that it be recommended to the Deputies of the general Congress’ to send a petition to the king, asserting our ‘constitutional Rights and Privileges’, lamenting that Americans have been compelled to act in ways he finds disgusting, and declaring America’s duty and affection for the king and desire to continue depending on Britain. Americans beseech him ‘not to reduce his faithful Subjects of America to a State of Desperation.’ This petition should be published in newspapers across Britain.
24. ‘Resolved that George Washington Esquire, and George Broadwater’ be appointed to serve as representatives at the general assembly at Williamsburg, to present these Resolves.
Dated 18 July 1774.
Andrew Knowles researches and writes about the late Georgian and Regency period. He’s also a freelance writer and editor for business. He lives with his wife Rachel, co-author of this blog, in the Dorset seaside town of Weymouth.
If you have enjoyed this blog and want to encourage us and help us to keep making our research freely available, please buy us a virtual cup of coffee by clicking the button below.
Note
Photo of Mount Vernon by Rick Gutleber shared under Creative Commons licence
Sources used include:
Fairfax Resolves at the Library of Congress
Transcription of the Fairfax Resolves, Library of Virginia
Regency History
by Andrew & Rachel Knowles
We research and write about the late Georgian and Regency period.
Rachel also writes faith-based Regency romance with rich historical detail.
