BEING fully convinced of our natural and unalienable rights, which we think have, since the revolution,been manifestly invaded by certain acts of parliament, too notorious to need animadversion; four of which acts are not only inimical to our interest, but being the principal source of all our miseries under which we groan, we should therefore acknowledge ourselves culpable to society, were we to conceal from mankind, and those of our associates, there [sic] fatal effects and ill consequences.—Since the Revolution of 1688, the following acts have taken place:

1. The Bounty Act passed for exporting GRAIN.— Since which time, monopoly of farms has taken place; the consequence has been, neglect of rearing necessary LIVE STOCK, and the industrious husbandman is thereby driven to poverty and want.
2. An Act passed for borrowing Money, and the people were mortgaged to pay the interest thereof, which has since accumulated to the enormous annual sum of NINE MILLIONS.
3. An Act passed to exclude all those from legislation for a county who were not possessed of 600l. per annum; also those for a city who had not 300l. of landed property, free of incumbrances;—by which act the Aristocracy has affirmed the ascendancy, and the Democracy is almost excluded its privileges; else why do we hear of increasng proclamations to insult the people? It is well for us that ministers of state are no prophets; for, could they have foreseen the general utility of enlightening the minds of the people, there neither would have been proclamations, nor fawning addresses.
4. An act passed, called the Septennial Act, by which the parliament has made itself omnipotent, in contempt of the people;—the result of which has been bribery, gluttony, drunkenness, perjury and dissipation, at elections: such vices fatally contaimnate the morals of the people. That act has also, furthermore, completed our RUIN, for instead of the elected being the servants of the electors (who are but very few) they claim an unlimited power; and are become masters of their constituents.

Admitting the labourers to be “worthy of their hire,” the benefit thereof can be but little, while a law exists that gives encouragement to interested men, to export the fruits of their industry; they are thereby left in a miserable state of existence, owing to the scarcity and high price of provisions, being also compelled to the payment of nine millions annually, as interest for money borrowed; likewise eight millions more, exclusive of collecting,—the expenditure of which is a secret to us. We likewise acknowledge our perfect dissatisfaction of the Aristrocracy, presumptuously arrogating the prerogative power of legislation, and almost excluding the Democracy,— more particularly while we are pestered with excisemen, tithing gentry, and other collectors (who are very numerous) of the revenue; moreover, a large military force, for the protection and execution of the laws relative to the same.

Resolved unanimously

That having a right to participate in the management of that government, by which our lives, liberties, and properties are secured or endangered,—we therefore in conjunction with our brethren and fellow-citizens in Great Britain and Ireland, do absolutely think it our duty (being compelled to it by necessity) to form ourselves into peaceable, rational, and regular societies, for the purpose of investigating the principles of government.

Resolved unanimously

That the sole purpose of all our associations is, to have our grievances redressed, by meliorating the condition of the labouring poor, whom we think can be greatly relieved, by excluding sinecures and all unnecessary pensioners, and lessening the number of placemen. Unversal suffrage, also annual elections to be restored for chusing and returning members to parliament, according to the plan given by the Duke of R—chm—d for a reform in parliament, and recommended by Mr. P—t, &c. &c. &c. in the year 1782. These privileges were once in being;—till they are restored to us, we cannot think ourselves culpable in associating with decorum, perseverance, and unanimity.

Resolved unanimously

That the British Convention of Delegates for a Parliamentary Reform have, by their conduct, justly merited the approbation of the United Societies of Norwich.

Resolved unanimously

That it is the opinion of the United Societies of Norwich, That the Magistrates of Edinburgh have acted unconstitutionally against the persons of MARGAROT, GERRALD, and the rest of their colleagues.

Notwithstanding the horrid gloom that has overspread the world for ages, we rejoice in the anticipation of a brighter day, while we see the gilded beams of reason and philosophy are universally illuminating the minds of me; and we hope the horrid trade of war and bloodshed is hastening to its exit, and that universal philanthropy and benevolence are are to be established on the earth.