Final answer:
The document encouraged colonists to '1)Join the rebellion' and declare their independence from Great Britain, as it presented this as the remaining option in the face of the British policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The document in question refers to the period leading to the American Revolution, where American colonists were faced with a decision on how to respond to the actions and policies imposed by Great Britain. Based on the reference provided, the answer to what the document encouraged colonists to do is 'Join the rebellion' or declare their independence from Great Britain, as the conclusion drawn from the passages suggests that declaring independence and becoming "free and independent states" was the only action left open to them.
Many colonists viewed the Intolerable Acts and other British policies as a turning point which necessitated action. By the time the First Continental Congress convened, there was a direct challenge to British authority in the colonies, signaling the start of a more organized rebellion. While the colonial population was divided among those who supported independence, those who remained loyal to Britain, and those who preferred neutrality, the document in question appears to have encouraged those leaning towards rebellion to commit to the idea of independence. The answer is option 1.