We his Majesty's most loyal Subjects, the Delegates of the Several Colonies...deputed to represent them in a Continental Congress, held in the City of Philadelphia, on the fifth day of September, 1774, avowing our allegiance to his Majesty, our affection and regard for our fellow subjects in Great Britain and elsewhere, affected with the deepest anxiety, and most alarming apprehensions at those Grievances and distresses, with which his Majesty's American subjects are oppressed, and having taken under our most serious deliberation the state of the whole continent, find, that the present unhappy situation of our affairs, is occasioned by a ruinous system of colony administration adopted by the British Ministry about the year 1763, evidently calculated for enslaving these Colonies, and, with them, the British Empire. In prosecution of which system, various Acts of parliament have been passed for raising a Revenue in America, for depriving the American subjects, in many instances of the constitutional trial by jury, exposing their lives to danger, by directing a new and illegal trial beyond the seas, for crimes alleged to have been committed in America: And in prosecution of the same system several late, cruel and oppressive Acts have been passed respecting the town of Boston and the Massachusetts Bay, and also an Act for extending the province of Quebec, so as to border on the western frontiers of these Colonies, establishing an arbitrary government therein, and discouraging the settlement of British subjects in that wide extended country.... To obtain redress of these grievances, which threaten destruction to the lives, liberty and property of his Majesty's subjects in North America, we are of opinion, that a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement, faithfully adhered to, will prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable measure: And therefore we do, for ourselves, and the inhabitants of the several Colonies, whom we represent, firmly agree and associate under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of our country, as follows: First. That from and after the first day of December next, we will not import into British America, from Great Britain or Ireland, any goods, wares, or merchandize whatsoever, or from any other place such goods, wares or merchandize, as shall have been exported from Great Britain or Ireland; nor will we, after that day, import any East India tea from any part of the world; nor any molasses, syrups...coffee, or [piemento] from the British plantations, or from Dominica, nor wines from Madeira, or the Western Islands, nor foreign indigo. Second. That we will neither import nor purchase any slave imported after the first day of December next, after which time, we will wholly discontinue the slave-trade… Eighth. That we will in our several [stations] encourage frugality, economy, and industry: and promote agriculture, arts, and the manufactures of this country, especially that of wool; and will discountenance and discourage, every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially all horse-racing, and all kinds of gaming, cock-fighting, exhibitions of shows, plays, and other expensive diversions and entertainments. And on the death of any relation or friend, none of us or any of our families will go into any further mourning dress, than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat for Gentlemen, and a black ribbon and necklace for Ladies, and we will discontinue the giving of gloves and scarfs at funerals. Ninth. That such as are venders of goods or merchandize, will not take advantage of the scarcity of goods that may be occasioned by this association, but will sell the same at the rates we have been respectively accustomed to do, for twelve months last past. And if any vender of goods or merchandize shall sell any such goods on higher terms, or shall in any manner or by any device whatsoever, violate or depart from this agreement, no person ought, nor will any of us deal with any such person, or his or her factor or agent, at any time hereafter, for any commodity whatever.... And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents...to adhere to this association until such parts of the several Acts of Parliament passed since the close of the last war, as impose or continue duties on Tea, Wine, Molasses, Syrups...Coffee, Sugar Pimento, Indigo, Foreign Paper, Glass and Painters Colours, imported into America, and extend the Powers of the Admiralty courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American subject of trial by jury, authorize the Judge's certificate the indemnify the prosecutor from damages, that he might otherwise be liable to from a trial by his peers, require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or goods seized, before he shall be allowed to defend his property, are repealed. And until that [act]...by which, any persons charged with committing any of the offenses therein described, in America, may be tried in any shire or county within the realm, is repealed. And until the four Acts passed in the last session of parliament, viz. That for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour of Boston--That for altering the charter and government of the Massachusetts Bay--And that which is entitled "An Act for the better administration of justice, &c.--And that "For extending the limits of Quebec," &c. are repealed....