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some of the laws, that he had aided in passing?

How had he abdicated government here?

What other flagrant injuries had he committed against us?

What was he then doing, to complete the work of death, desolation and tyranny?

Against whom, had he constrained some of our captured citizens, to bear arms?

here; we have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must therefore acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace, friends.

We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; and that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,

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In the course of a few weeks, this Declaration was signed by the following members, constituting almost the whole Congress. Some of them, however, were chosen after the 4th of July.

Of Ms. Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry;

Of N. H. Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton; Of R. I. Stephen Hopkins, Wm. Ellery;

Of Ct. Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott;

Of N. Y. William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris;

Of N. J. Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson. John Hart, Abraham Clark;

Of Pa. Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross;

Of Del. Cesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M'Kean;

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the Bostonians. The soldiers hoped, that they should no longer be branded with the odious name of rebels. They were animated by the consideration, that they should not risk their lives for the trifling purpose of procuring a repeal of a few oppressive laws, but for a new organization of government, that would forever put it out of the power of Britain to oppress them. The people were encouraged to bear up under the calamities of war, and viewed the evils they suffered, only as the thorn, that accompanies the rose. They were peculiarly animated by the prospect of an extensive and unfettered commerce. That separation, which they had deprecated, as an evil, they now. gloried in, as a blessing. But probably no one had then, or has since had, any adequate idea, how great and extensive,a blessing it was des tined to prove.

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How did W. and P. treat each other? Very politely.

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What title did P. give W. in conversation? Your Excellency.

What power, did it appear, that the Howes possessed?

What did W. say to that? As the Americans had committed no fault, they needed no pardon.

§ How numerous was the American army in and near N. Y.?

In what part of Long Island, had a great part of the American army encamped? Brooklyn.

Under whom? Gen. Putnam. Which way is Brooklyn from N. Y.?

When did the British forces cross the Narrows, and land on Long Island? Aug. 22.

What are the Narrows? A strait that separates Long Island from Staten Island.

How long had those forces been on Stater. Island?

On what day, was fought the battle of Brooklyn?

† NOTE C. C.

Why is it called the battle of Brooklyn? Because it was in the vicinity of Brooklyn.

Of what did that battle consist? Several engagements in different places.

Why is it sometimes called the battle of Long Island? Because the different actions were on different parts of L. I.

How many men did we lose? Nearly 3000.

How many generals captured? How much greater was our loss than the British?

Effects of the battle of Brooklyn? It seems to have occasioned the tre mendous evils, that soon followed and brought our cause to the brink of ruin.

Character of the battle of Brooklyn? Probably, of all battles, the most disastrous to this country.

Why did not Washington order reinforcements from N. Y.?

To what place, did W. withdraw his remaining troops from L. I.?

How long after the battle, was this retreat?

What two occurrences in divine providence wonderfully favored the escape of our men?

What would probably have been the consequence, if these occurrences had not taken place? Probably every American there would have been shortly slain or captured; and worst of all, Washington himself would have been lost to the cause of freedom.

How far from the Americans, were the British encamped? One third of a mile. +

For what purpose, was Capt.

formation respecting the enemy. Col. K. communicated the GenCapt. Nathan Hale. eral's request to Capt. Hale, who at Gen. Washington, after the re- once offered himself a volunteer for treat from Long Island, applied to that hazardous service. Having Col. Knowlton, to adopt some passed in disguise to Long Island, method of gaining the necessary in-examined every part of the British

Hale sent to Long Island, soon af ter this retreat?

How far did he succeed?

What order did Howe issue on his apprehension ?

What favors were denied him? What reason was assigned for destroying his letters ?

What was his dying observation?

Result of the skirmish at Har

laem ?

To what place, did Washington soon withdraw, with part of his troops?

Which way are White Plains from N. Y.?

How soon after the battle of Brooklyn, did the British take possession of N. Y.? About a fortnight.

When was fought the battle of White Plains? Oct. 28.

What was the issue?

On what river, was Fort Washington? - -Which side? The E. How far from N. Y.? 10 miles. By whom, commanded? By whom, captured? How many were taken prison

ers?

army, and obtained the best possible intelligence, respecting its situation and intended operations, he was apprehended in his attempt to return, and brought before Sir William Howe, who gave immediate order to the provost marshal to execute him the next morning. The order was accordingly executed in a most unfeeling manner, and by as great a savage, as ever disgraced humanity.

The attendance of a clergyman was refused him, and a bible, though requested, was not procured. Letters written to his mother and friends on the morning of his execution, were destroyed; the provost marshal assigning this extraordinary reason for that outrage, "that the rebels should not

How many weeks, after the bat tle of White Plains?

What other fort was soon evacu ated?

Where was Fort Lee? Oppo site to Fort Washington, W. of the H.

What large river, did Washington cross about that time? North River.

Another name for North Riv er?

Through a considerable part of what state, did W. then retreat? Who closely pursued him? Through what considerable places?

Which is most westerly, Newark or Trenton?

What river did Washington cross from Trenton ?

Into what state?

Which way is Trenton from Philadelphia ?-from N. Y. ? To which, is it nearest ?

Under what circumstances of deep depression did Washington conduct this retreat?

What American general has been peculiarly distinguished by trials and perplexities? - When?

know, they had a man in their ar my, who could die with so much firmness."

Capt. Hale united in his character the soldier, the patriot and the scholar. His dying observation was, "I only lament, that I have but one life to lose for my country." This estimable man was born in Coventry, Ct. and educated at Yale College, where he was graduated in 1773.

NOTE D. D.

Wretched state of the army, and magnanimity of Washington af ter the evacuation of Fort Lee. Perhaps no man ever endured a

What care, in a great measure, devolved upon him? Who aided him?

To what, may his difficulties be compared ?

Can you mention one of the most dreadful of his long trials?

What was probably the influence of his previous prosperity, upon this trial?

Mention some particulars of this prosperity.

First scene of his great sorrow?

greater aggregate of perplexities and trials in an equal time, than Washington, during the first six years of the war; or exhibited a greater amount of magnanimity

under them. He had to contend with a most powerful enemy, under vast and numberless disadvantages. Though Congress and his little band of trusty officers afforded him all the aid in their power, yet upon him, in a great measure, devolved the care of raising his men, of forming them into soldiers, of feeding, clothing and paying them, of directing their operations, of providing military stores, of watching the movements of the enemy, and of discovering and defeating their designs. His difficulties may be regarded as a vast chain of lofty mountains, scarcely separated by a plain or vale, with numerous peaks, lifting their black and craggy heads above their fellows. One of the most dreadful of these, was that which he passed from the vicinity of Fort Lee to the Dela

ware.

Its duration was about 20 days. This must have been rendered more distressing by his previous prosperity. He had been suddenly elevated to the highest military office and honor, that the love of freedom could confer. He had been welcomed and hailed at Cambridge with every demonstration of confidence and of joy, that heart could wish. He had been

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enabled to drive the British from Boston; and had been received by her half famished, half frozen citizens, by such a burst of grateful rapture, as was probably never before nor since, excited there, nor ever shall be, by mortal man. Long Island seems to have been the first scene of his mighty sorrows, though not indeed of his amazing cares and toils. With the most pungent anguish, he was there destined to behold some of his choicest troops cut down or captured, by hundreds and by thousands, without being able to afford them the least relief.

"And now misfortunes take their turn to reign,

And ills on ills succeed, a dreadful train!"

Very soon he is constrained to quit N. Y. city. Within a few weeks, he deems it prudent to leave N. Y. Island. About the 12th of Nov. he crosses the Hudson and joins Gen. Greene near Fort Lee the next day. Within three days, Nov. 16, he is robbed of 26 hundred of his best remaining troops, being the whole garrison of Fort Washington. Within two or three days after, Fort Lee must be evacuated, or its garrison of 1500 must share the same fate.

Terrified by these dreadful disasters, and trembling for his own

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