Facilitator Prep Sheets and Notes

Facilitator Prep Sheets
Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence
--Who is writing?
Boston Committee of Correspondence is writing.
--Who is the audience?
The audience is other colonies, I believe all people in the other colonies, but possibly just the ruling councils of other colonies.
--Who do the writers represent?
The writers represent all of Boston
--What is being said, argued and/or requested?
They are stating that their port has been barricaded, arguing that Britain is trying to take their freedom away from them, and requesting that the other colonies boycott all British goods.
--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?
It is being argued in the form of a letter, sent by a committee created specifically for the task of writing letters. This letter is almost vehement in it’s outright hatred of current the British Government’s decisions
--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
The justification for this request is the current action of the barricade around Boston and the train of thought that they are going to take away the liberties of Americans if the Americans don’t respond immediately, cohesively, and powerfully.


Declaration of American Rights.
--Who is writing?
The Continental Congress is writing.
--Who is the audience?
The audience is meant to be first Parliament, and then the people whom they represent.
--Who do the writers represent?
The writers represent all of the English colonies.
--What is being said, argued and/or requested?
They say that judges get their salary from the crown, colonists should not be transported to England for trial, the 3 acts regulating the government and economy of Massachusetts were unjust and cruel and dangerous to American Rights, assemblies meant to discuss grievances are being stopped and slandered, the colonies elected deputies to form a Congress in Philadelphia this congress is meant to stop Parliament from oppressing them, then they declare that they are entitled to life, liberty and property, they are British subjects, they have a right to representation in government, they cannot be represented in England, they have a right to trial by peers, that they are only governed by the statutes in use upon the making of the charter, that they are governed by the charters and entitled to it’s privileges, that they have the right to assembly, that any army should be disbanded in times of peace, that they need separation of power, then they declare several acts unconstitutional and argue that they must be repealed.
--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?
It is being said in the form of a series of resolutions declared by the congress. The declaration is authoritative and firm using words such as “declare,” grievous”, and “cannot submit.”
--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
The proof is that because they are British citizens, they have the rights entailed by that title, and that these rights are being violated. The justification for them saying this is their election by the people. Other justification is that they will then enter a trade embargo against England, to address the people, and to address the King.

Notes on Letter from New York to Boston
New York is extremely concerned, and is going to help. They try to be vague and then say they are going to create a committee to talk with the other colonies. They then say that they are sorry they can’t give them a decision, because whatever is decided must be agreed upon by all. It ends with another apology and their condolonces.