Circular Letter of Boston Committee of Correspondence
Text Analysis

Who is writing?
The Boston Committee of Correspondence-specifically Samuel Adams

Who’s the audience?
I think the main audience is New York, then anyone in Boston, then finally anyone in all of the colonies.

Who do the writers represent?
They’re representing Boston. They’re speaking out for the best interest of Boston and the other colonies.

What is being said, argued and/or requested?
The long and short of what they’re saying is that Great Britain can’t be trusted so all of the colonies need to unite in order to preserve their liberty. They refer to the recent incident in which the Boston port has been closed down and blocked by British warships. The writers express their grievance over the recent event and insist that it was unfair and unjust. Then they make a call to action, urging everyone to unite against Great Britain.

How is it being said, argued, and/or requested?
It’s being said in the form of a letter. The writers give an account of the British blockade in order to convey the British unfairness. In a sense, the writers are trying to create some sympathy in the reader. They try and persuade their readers by saying that this blockade is an example of what Great Britain will do to other colonies that don’t obey. According to the letter, it was supposedly written without any sort of intimidation.

What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
The writers are depending on the sympathy and empathy of their fellow colonies. The writers stress that, even though they are separate colonies, they are all Americans. The writers recount on the closing of the Boston port to conjure sympathy and make Great Britain look like the bad guy.