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History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
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REVOLUTIONARY PLEDGE
When the Provinces had firmly resolved to resist and defend themselves against the oppressive acts of the English Parliament, they anticipated a division of public sentiment on the importance and success of a measure which was to involve the whole country in a war with the mother country. They also foresaw that the instant they took up arms, made resistance, and fired the first gun, they would thereby throw off, to some extent, allegiance to the British government, dissolve the laws which governed them, and place the Colonies in a condition of confusion and anarchy. To guard the country as much as possible against a stale of things so ominous of danger, to bind all who were well disposed to the cause and its vigorous prosecution in a bond of union, and at the same time find out and know with certainty its lukewarm friends and open enemies—all which were of the utmost moment—the freemen, freeholders and inhabitants of the city of New-York, on the 29th of April, 1775, adopted a general association, and transmitted it for signature to all the counties in the State. This was intended as a direct test of every man’s sentiments and patriotism respecting this momentous movement of the Colonies; for if he signed the Pledge his will would be known and the country could depend on him and if not, he would be equally known and marked. This plan was made general, adopted throughout the Colonies, and at once drew a line of no enviable distinction between the friends and enemies of the war. The Pledge was in the following form:
Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants in a rigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety; and convinced of the necessity of preventing anarchy and confusion, which attend the dissolution of the power, of government, we, the freemen, freeholder, and inhabitants of being greatly alarmed at the avowed design at the Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in Massachusetts Bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves; and do associate, under all the ties of religion, honor and love to our country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention for the purpose of preserving our Constitution, and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary Acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America on constitutional principles (which we most ardently desire) can he obtained; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our General Committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individuals and property.