February 11, 1768

Massachusetts Calls on Colonies to Unite in Opposition to Townshend Duties

The Massachusetts General Court, in a circular letter written by Samuel Adams and James Otis, calls on other colonies to "harmonize with each other" in opposition to the Townshend Duties as an unconstitutional tax levied on Americans without their consent. Lord Hillsborough demands in April that Massachusetts rescind the letter or face dissolution and orders the governors of other colonies to dissolve their assemblies if they refuse to disown it. In June, the Massachusetts House of Representatives votes 92-17 not to rescind the letter, after which the entire assembly is dissolved by Governor Francis Bernard.