Boston Committee of Correspondence

Gentlemen, The Evils which we have long forseen are now come upon this town and province ... How long we may be allowed the enjoyment of our religious liberty is a question of infinite moment ... Signed by order and in behalf of the Committee of Correspondence for Boston [in autograph:] William Cooper, Clerk." Boston: 8 June 1774



Broadside (12 1/4 x 7 in.; 310 x 178 mm), 2 pages on a bifolium, addressed on the verso of the first page "For the Committee of Correspondence at Sandwich" and docketed "inclosure Boston Covenant"; tears in upper margin of first leaf mended with cello tape, a few fold tears in central fold, and tiny edge tears, small stain from seal in lower margin.

Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 14 November 1978, lot 338)

Evans 13157; Ford 1708

tears in upper margin of first leaf mended with cello tape, a few fold tears in central fold, and tiny edge tears, small stain from seal in lower margin.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Town of Sandwich is asked to boycott British goods, a very rare broadside.

When news reached Boston in the Spring of 1774 that the Parliament had enacted the "Intolerable Acts" in retaliation for the Tea Party of late 1773, closing the port of Boston, revoking the colony's charter and outlawing town meetings, Samuel Adams and his colleagues in the Boston Committee of Correspondence decided upon a non-importation pledge known as the "Solemn League and Covenant." The Covenant called for its signers to halt the purchase of British goods after 31 August and to stop dealing with those who did not sign. The document was fiercely resisted by area merchants, and the Committee sent the document into the surrounding countryside seeking support to pressure the opposition in Boston.

The present broadside is a self-justifying cover letter sent with the Covenant, in this case to the town of Sandwich: "There is but one way that we can conceive of, to prevent what is to be deprecated by all good men, and ought by all possible means to be prevented, viz, The horrors that must follow an open rupture between Great Britain and her colonies ... and that is by affecting the trade and interest of Great Britain, so deeply as shall induce her to withdraw her oppressive hand ... a solemn league, not to import goods from Great Britain until our grievances shall be redressed." 

The copy of the Covenant sent with it to Sandwich, is lot 835 in our sale of the Copley Library, 20 May 2011.