Top of page

Exhibition The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution

The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution

Boycotting British Goods

A printed agreement with Washington’s handwritten pledge below and signatures at the bottom.
The Association entered into last Friday, the 22d instant, by the Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, and the Body of Merchants, assembled in this city. Williamsburg, Virginia, June 22, 1770. George Washington Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (026.00.00)
Enlarge
A printed agreement with Washington’s handwritten pledge below and signatures at the bottom.
The Association entered into last Friday, the 22d instant, by the Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, and the Body of Merchants, assembled in this city. Williamsburg, Virginia, June 22, 1770. George Washington Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (027.00.00)
Enlarge

Boycotting British Goods

Starting in 1769, Washington helped lead the effort to protest the Townshend Revenue Act by boycotting British imported goods. The Act, passed by Britain’s Parliament in 1767, taxed glass, paint, white lead, tea, and paper. In 1770, Washington signed this “nonimportation” agreement as a member of Virginia’s House of Burgesses (the lower house of the colony’s legislature). This is one of six copies that Washington brought to his constituents. At the bottom, he wrote out a pledge for them to sign. Their signatures follow.