Fairfax Resolves facts for kids

The Fairfax Resolves were important statements made by leaders in Fairfax County, Virginia, on July 18, 1774. This happened at the very beginning of the American Revolution, a time when the American colonies were starting to disagree strongly with Great Britain. These statements were mainly written by George Mason, with help from George Washington.

The Resolves clearly said that the British Parliament (Britain's government) did not have the right to make all the rules for the American colonies. Many other counties in Virginia made similar statements in 1774. However, the Fairfax Resolves were special because they were the most detailed, had the biggest impact, and were the most daring for their time.

Why Were the Fairfax Resolves Created?

Punishment for Massachusetts

The British Parliament passed some strict new laws to punish Massachusetts. These laws were called the Intolerable Acts (or Coercive Acts). They were a punishment for the Boston Tea Party, where colonists threw British tea into the harbor.

In response, the Virginia House of Burgesses (Virginia's elected assembly) decided that June 1, 1774, would be a day of "fasting, humiliation, and prayer." This was a way to show support for Boston.

Virginia's Response to British Actions

Because the House of Burgesses spoke out, Lord Dunmore, who was the royal governor of Virginia, closed down the House of Burgesses. But the members of the House of Burgesses didn't give up. They met again on May 27 at the Raleigh Tavern. There, they asked all Virginia counties to choose representatives for a special meeting in August.

George Washington and Charles Broadwater were chosen to represent Fairfax County at this important meeting.

Drafting the Resolves

On July 5, 1774, George Washington and other leaders from Fairfax County met in Alexandria, Virginia. They decided to create a committee to write a statement. Washington said this statement would "define our Constitutional Rights," meaning it would explain what rights they believed they had under the law. This statement would also tell Fairfax County's representatives what to do at the Virginia meeting.

The committee wrote a draft, and it's believed that George Mason did most of the writing. Mason and Washington met at Washington's home, Mount Vernon, on July 17. They might have made some changes to the statements then. The very next day, in Alexandria, the Fairfax Resolves were officially approved by a meeting of local landowners (called freeholders). George Washington led this meeting.

What Did the Fairfax Resolves Say?

Key Ideas and Demands

In the Fairfax Resolves, the landowners said they wanted to remain loyal to the British Empire. However, they also strongly stated, "we will use every means which Heaven hath given us to prevent our becoming its slaves." This meant they would fight to keep their freedom.

The document was short but powerful. It covered several important points:

• It clearly explained the American colonists' worries about things like taxes, how they were represented in government, the power of judges, military issues, and the economy of the colonies.
• It suggested that colonists should stop buying British goods. This was called a "nonimportation effort."
• It asked for a big meeting of all the colonies. This "general congress" would work together to protect the rights of Americans as if they were still living in England.
• It strongly criticized the practice of bringing enslaved people to the colonies. It called this a "wicked, cruel, and unnatural trade" and urged that it be stopped.

The Resolves told Washington and Broadwater to present these statements at the Virginia Convention.

Impact of the Resolves

The Fairfax Resolves, like many other similar statements from county meetings, showed how many colonists felt in mid-1774. They believed that Britain was taking away their basic rights.

The Resolves also helped the colonies work together more closely. More Americans began to understand that if one colony was threatened, all colonies were in danger. Also, political disagreements within Virginia became less important. This allowed leaders like Washington and Mason to work well with other strong figures like Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee.

The idea of not importing British goods, which was called for in the Resolves, later influenced the Virginia Association. This Virginia plan then became a model for the Continental Association, which was a similar agreement for all the colonies.

Who Signed the Fairfax Resolves?

Many important people from Fairfax County signed the Resolves. These were the people who agreed with the strong statements made against British policies. Some of the well-known signers included: