the
Committees of Protection, Correspondence and Safety
of the various States
United under and by
the
Constitution for the United States of America

updated December 05, 2000

A committee of Safety is an association of people with common interests.
What do you need to start one?

The desire.

The Founding Fathers established Committees of Correspondence, under the direction of Samuel Adams. As the situation grew worse, these Committees adopted the need to provide for Safety and Protection. Some Committees were allowed to act in the stead of the colonial assemblies during their recess. There was no illegitimate or unlawful aspect to any of the Committees. They were open to all who would, after the beginning of hostilities, subscribe to the Association. Even after the Declaration, the British never held the Committees for any acts against the Crown. Prudently, however, the more active members made a point of being scarce if the British were in town.

Officers of the Committees generally held there office for either six months or one year. They then, voluntarily, stepped down to allow others to carry out the responsibilities of office. No man was above another, nor could any become a ruler. Consensus seemed to be the rule within the Committees.

In May of 1774, the Boston Committee had sent a circular to throughout the colonies -- asking for the other colonies to stop trading with the British. In New York, the Committee called for a continental congress to deal with the issue. Their response to Boston, dated May 23, 1774, was the proposal that resulted in the First Continental Congress.

Download a zipped file with the Albany, New York, General Association document, the Albany, New York, Oath of Secrecy and a proposed wording for both in today's perilous times.
Assoctxt.zip-Text format; Assocwp.zip-Word Perfect format; Asscword.zip-Word format

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