The Power of the Written Word: Thirteen Clocks were made to Strike Together! Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Committees of Correspondence

In 2022, we commemorate a remarkable anniversary in America – the formal creation of the Committees of Correspondence. This important event was selected by the VanBuren Administration to celebrate this year. The Committees of Correspondence began as a grass-roots initiative to keep colonists informed as to the actions of the increasingly harsh British policies in the colonies. 

In the early 1770s, there was much written about the restrictive British control throughout the American colonies, but it was unorganized and isolated. While many of these letters, pamphlets, and editorials were extremely convincing, the American patriots lacked any modern means of sharing them throughout the colonies. To address this, the Committees of Correspondence were established to spread the power of the written word from colony to colony and from town to town.

At a Boston town meeting in 1772, Samuel Adams encouraged formation of a 21-man committee stating the need for a “committee of correspondence…to state the rights of the Colonists and of this Province in particular, as men, as Christians, and as subjects; and to communicate and publish the same to the several Towns in the Province and to the World.” 

Committees began to form in all thirteen colonies and by 1775, the Committees of Correspondence were operating as “shadow governments,” often viewed as having more power than the colonial legislatures themselves. The sharing of information built a sense of solidarity among the American colonists, and this unity of opinion paved the way for the first Continental Congress and eventually the writing of the Declaration of Independence.  

Founding Father John Adams later remarked on the effectiveness of the Committees of Correspondence in achieving independence, writing: “The complete accomplishment of it in so short a time and by such simple means was perhaps a singular example in the history of mankind. Thirteen clocks were made to strike together: a perfection of mechanism, which no artist had ever before effected.”

Let us as Daughters continue to correspond and communicate via the written word.  How can you and your chapter do this?

First, focus on amping up communications in your chapter for 2022. Now more than ever, some members may feel disconnected, so extra efforts should be made to retain them as valued members.  Send notes, newsletters or emails on what is happening in your chapter and our society.

Secondly, share with your community, via published articles and social media posts, ways the DAR is honoring the work of local heroes, students, veterans and outstanding citizens.  Also, create posts on the service projects that your chapter participates in that help your community.

Lastly, connect with family, friends, shut-ins, veterans and those that are isolated via a note or letter. The extra effort and thought behind a hand-written note are greatly appreciated by the receiver.

Peace, love and health in 2022!