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[Manuscript copy of a declaration made by the citizens of Falmouth in the northern part of Massachusetts-Bay (now Portland, Maine), swearing to uphold the measures suggested by the Continental Congress and oppose the “evil designs” of Great Britain].

Falmouth, Me. June 1, 1775. Manuscript document, 1.5 pp. on single folio sheet (11.75” x 7.75”). Docketed on verso. CONDITION: Old folds, some just beginning to split, one longer horizontal split reinforced with tape on verso, slight tanning, small chips to edges. Very good overall.

A contemporary manuscript copy of the declaration of intent of the patriots of present-day Portland, Maine to support the Continental Congress and oppose the “evil designs” of Parliament, made in Falmouth (now Portland)—one of the early hotbeds of the American Revolution.

Dated more than a year before the Declaration of Independence, this declaration touches upon several complaints against Royal authority that would become the foundations of the call for independence, including the abrogation of colonial rights and liberties, taxation without representation, incursions on governmental charters and more, all designed to put the colonists into a state of “slavery.”

In the spring of 1775, Falmouth (particularly its most populous area, known as “the Neck”) was engaged in a tense but ultimately bloodless incident known as Thompson’s War. Selectman Samuel Thompson attempted to enforce a boycott of all British goods, but when the HMS Canceaux captained by Henry Mowat was sent from Boston to protect Royal interests, the British cargo was unloaded under threat of violence. The Canceaux was still present at Falmouth when news of Lexington and Concord arrived, and the militia sprang into action. Their attempt to capture the warship was unsuccessful, but they did manage to force her to withdraw. The present declaration was drafted and signed by “several hundreds on the Neck” in a wave of patriotic sentiment following the event. It states:

We solemnly and sincerely declare that it is our opinion that the ministry of Great Britain and the Parliament have of late invaded the constitutional rights and liberties of this country by prosecuting their avowed design of raising a revenue here without our consent, as well as arbitrarily infringing our charter, and altering the civil government of this province, and therefore, to prevent a state of slavery, do sincerely and heartily agree and engage to do our utmost to carry into execution whatever measures have been or may be consistently recommended by the Continental and our provincial congresses for the purpose of opposing and frustrating those evil designs and for the preservation of our happy constitution, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America upon constitutional principles can be obtained, which God grant may be speedily brought about, and that we will readily and heartily join our countrymen on all occasions in defence of our said rights and liberties as we trust our cause is righteous, and that we may succeed. We shall endeavor to oblige all persons to pay due obedience to the general resolves of Congress in particular, one for the regulation of the militia, to obey the orders of the several military officers who have been or shall be elected by the several companies and regiments, agreeable to the resolves of Congress, and to preserve peace and good order among ourselves and safety to the lives and properties of every individual among us.

A manuscript addition in a different hand follows the declaration and states that the original petition “was signed by several hundreds on ye Neck, indeed all but the Custom House officers, Mr. Pagan, who gave ye committee a very handsome letter in excuse, and Mr. Courning [?], and I don't recollect any body except those who have left us. This method was agreed upon by ye committee to find out who were enemies, as the presumption was that those who were Tories &c would not sign it.”

Falmouth’s revolutionary activities did not go unnoticed by the British authorities: Mowat and the Canceaux returned in October and bombarded the town in retaliation, reducing it almost entirely to ash and leaving the inhabitants unhoused and starving for the swiftly approaching Maine winter. The severity of this reprisal only served to further the American cause, however, as it lit a fire under previously lukewarm patriots, raised the ire of critics at home and on the continent, and spurred the creation of the Continental Navy.

A remarkable and important early Revolutionary document, which we do not locate in any published form.

Item #7837

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