Massachusetts-Bay

Colony of Massachusett's-Bay, 1776. We the Subscribers, Do each of us severally for ourselves, profess, testify and declare before God and the World, that we verily believe that the War, Resistance and Opposition in which the United American Colonies are now engaged against the Fleets and Armies of Great-Britain, is on the Part of the said Colonies, just and necessary. ... [Watertown: Printed by Benjamin Edes,] (1776)



Printed broadside (13 1/8 x 8 1/8 in.; 334 x 205 mm, untrimmed). Lightly offset, two small, light stains at right margin.

Bristol B4251; Evans 14840; Ford 2030

This rare broadside records an association, or test, in accordance with the Massachusett's congressional act passed 1 May 1776, severing ties with Great Britain. The lower half of the broadside was left blank for the signatures of subscribers (this copy is unaccomplished). Among other covenants, the broadside required signatories to pledge that they would "not, during the said War, directly or indirectly, in any Ways, aid, abet or assist, any of the Naval or Land Forces of the King of Great-Britain, or any emply'd by him. ..."