2. What were they?
• Groups of individuals
organized by government
– Coordinated written
communication outside of
colony
– Lead the way towards
coordinated action and
decision-making between the
colonies.

3. The Original
• Established by Samuel
Adams
– Worked with rural patriots
– Enabled all of Massachusetts
to have access to patriot texts
• Promoted the establishment
of more such committees

4. Responsibilities
• Spread written material and
information around
– Seaport citizens were more
informed than those in inland
towns
• Sometimes assisted in other
things, e.g. Boston Tea
Party

5. Development
• Established as an official
committee by Virginia
government, 1773
– Each colony now had central
committee that coordinated
discussion with other
colonies
• First step towards a

6. Overview
• Important forerunner to
colonies’ cooperation
– 1st committee that brought
the colonies together for
decision-making
• A step towards
representative government –
colonies unite