Liberty & Union flag pole inscription

On October 21, 1774, Taunton Sons of Liberty raised the flag and tacked the following inscription onto the pole:

Be it known to the present, And to all future generations,

That the Sons of Liberty in TAUNTON, fired with Zeal for the Preservation of Their Rights as Men, and as American Englishmen,

And prompted by a just Resentment of The Wrongs and Injuries offered to the English Colonies in general, and to this Province in particular,

Through the unjust Claims of A British Parliament, and the Machiavellian Policy of their fixed Resolution To preserve sacred and inviolate Their Birth-Rights and Charter-Rights,

And to resist, even unto Blood, All attempts for their Subversion or Abridgement.

Born to be free, we spurn the Knaves who dare For us the Chains of Slavery to prepare. Steadfast, in Freedom's Cause, we'll live and die,

Unawed by Statesmen; Foes to Tyranny, But if oppression brings us to our Graves, and marks us dead, she ne'er shall mark us Slaves.

Stained Glass at First Parish Church, Taunton MA