American Colonies during the Mevolutionary War. 49 



Tluatfrom and after the 10th of September, 1775, the exportation of 

 all merchandize and every commodity whatsoever, to Great Britain, 

 Ireland, and the West Indies, ought to cease, unless the grievances of 

 America are redressed before that time." 



In a resolution ado'pted Aug. 1, 1775, defining the islands and 

 colonies with which commerce was prohibited, the "Summer Islands," 

 or Bermudas, were specifically mentioned.* 



Before the^ resolution went into effect, tlie Uerraudians had pre- 

 sented more than one petition stating their lack of provisions and 

 begging for relief. At the session July 11, 1775, an "Address from 

 the inhabitants of Bermuda " was presented. f This document is 

 not preserved, but was probably one of those referred to at the 

 session of Nov. 22, 1775. 



On July 17, 1775, the following was recorded :J "The address 

 from the Deputies of the several parishes of the islands of Bermuda 

 being again read, ordered : That the President return them an 

 answer, acknowledging the receipt of the address and informing them 

 that it will be considered, and desiring them to send an account of 

 the provisions imported for some years past for the use of the 

 iidiabitants of that island ; and also enclose therein a copy of a 

 resolve entered into on Saturdaj^ last, respecting the importation of 

 gunpowder, etc." 



This reference is to a resolution introduced by Benjamin Frank- 

 lin, and passed July 15, 1775,§ in Avhich it was provided that any 

 vessel importing gunpowder, saltpeter, sulphur, or firearms, should 

 be allowed to export products of any kind, of equal value, thus 

 assuring a profit at each end of the voyage. This was evidently a 

 great inducement to the people of Bermuda to engage in that kind 

 of traffic, to obtain the foodstuffs and clothing that they so badly 

 needed. 



After the seizure of the gunpowder at Bermuda, in August, and 

 evidently, as will be shown later, as a reward for their aid in that 

 affair, the attitude of Congress suddenly changed. 



Under date of Wednesday, Nov. 22, 1775, the following entry 

 occurs : || " The committee of the whole, to whom are referred the 

 several petitions from the islands of Bermuda, representing the dis- 



* Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. ii, p. 239, Washington ed., 1905. 

 f Journal Continental Congress, i, p. 150. 



I Secret Joni-n. of The Continental Congress, vol. i, p. 21, ed. of 1800. 

 § Journal Continental Congress, ii, p. 184, ed. 1905. 



II Journal of Continental Congress, i, p. 236, 237, Boston ed., 1821. 



