most important political transac-
tion, that ever took place ?t
To whom, is this subject pecu-
liarly interesting?

What did the enemies of the colonists often accuse them of desiring and seeking?

How did they answer it?

and bleed, at Lexington, Concord, West Cambridge and Charlestown?

Who has represented Independence as having been born in '61 ? What did he probably mean by that expression? That an event took place, which was most eminently conducive to independence.

Can you mention some of their grievances, that seemed sufficient to make them wish for indepen-determined upon independence?

How does it appear, that he did not then consider the Bostonians

dence?

Can you mention the dates of some of them?

For what object did they fight

NOTE C. C.
Independence.

What associations would the patriots have rescinded, if they had had independence in view?

Who was examined before the

does not appear, that the Writs of Assistance, in '61, or the Sugar Of all human transactions of a Act in '64, or the Stamp Act in ', political nature, the declaration of or the British declaration in '66, our independence may unquestion-of their right to bind the colonies ably be regarded as the most mag-in all cases whatever, or the quadnanimous and the most beneficial.ruple Revenue Act in '67, or keep. For the production of this event, ing standing armies among them in millions and millions of important '68 and at other times, or the Bosevents were made to conspire,ton Massacre in '70, or the crafty through a long lapse of ages and and insidious tea-expedition in '73, centuries, and these events were or the Boston Port Bill in '74, or probably few, compared with those, its dreadful operation in '75 and which were destined to flow from 75, or the many aggressions and our independence. To the philos- abominations of the royal governopher, to the patriotic American, ors-it does not appear, that any to the friend of man, scarcely any of these injuries at the time of perobject can be more interesting or petration, or all of them together, important. Is it not strange is it till some time after, induced our not grievous, that a subject so mó- most ardent patriots to think serimentons, a subject that is soon to ously of a separation from Britain. be hailed and shouted through the When they fought and bled at Lexworld, should have received no ington, at Concord, at West Camnore attention from the historic bridge, at Charlestown--when they pen? mustered by tens of thousands in the region of Boston, it was not for independence, but to repel injuries and obtain redress. Mr. Adams has indeed represented, that Independence was born at Boston in '61. Yet he could not mean, that any one at that time, had a serious design or thought of independence. For in '75, he declared, "There is not a man in the province among

The enemies of the colonists of ten accused them of desiring and seeking independence almost from the beginning. But this our fathers constantly, and no doubt sincerely denied, with the most solemn professions of loyalty to the king of England. When oppressed, they wished to cast off the yoke of oppression, but not of allegiance. It

66

House of Commons upon this very point. He there solemnly testified, that he did not believe, that Congress had formed any designs of independence.

From such a state of loyalty, there was a sudden transition in favor of separation. In the course of three or four short months, the whole population of the colonies became almost unanimous in favor of independence. This appears to be one of the most remarkable events that ever transpired in the universe of thought. I know not, that any one has fully accounted for it; and yet perhaps, strange as it is, it is not altogether unaccountable.

the whigs, nor ever was, who har-king, was examined before the bors a wish of that sort," (a wish for independence.) Again, our patriots have never determined or desired to be independent states." Though a train of mighty causes had been preparing the way for independence, yet it is manifest from the measures, which they adopted, they had no such object in view. Had independence been their object," says Dr. Ramsay, even at the commencement of hostilities, they would have rescinded the associations for non-importation, and imported more largely than ever. Common sense revolts at the idea, that colonists, unfurnished with military stores, and wanting manufactures of every kind, should, at the time of their intending a seriThe Governor of the world apous struggle for independence, by a pears to have made in his provivoluntary agreement, deprive them-dence, the most wonderful arrangeselves of the obvious means of pro- ments for just such an event. curing such foreign supplies, as their circumstances might make necessary."

In Nov. 1775, Richard Penn, Gov. of Pa. whom Congress had sent with their petition to the

This last ineffectual petition, to which the king and his ministers, would not deign to give an answer, was styled the OLIVE BRANCH.

Oppressed, mocked, grieved and exasperated, as the colonists had been, many of them must have sighed in secret for independence, if it had not appeared impracticable-for independence, that they durst not name to their nearest confidents. For in the way of declaring and maintaining independence, there seemed to be difficulties, appalling to the stoutest heart. Could

What did they desire the colo- $ mes to form?

How was this desire treated? Toward what, does this appear to have been the greatest stride? Of what, does it seem little short? Of what bold measure, were most of the colonies in favor? What Convention instructed their delegates to move for independence in Congress?

What convention declared their colony an independent state, be fore the declaration was made in Congress?

Who made the motion in Congress for the declaration of independence? Of what colony?"

On what month and day? What, for a few moments, seemed to pervade the assembly? Why did some shrink back from the measure?

How long was the subject discussed in Congress ?

Leading supporter of the measure?-Opposer?

Why did Congress adjourn, before they finished the discussion?

popular enthusiasm, while new

sources. By means of pamphlets and newspapers, light and heat up on this subject, were flashing far and wide. Generally speaking, the wavering became resolved; the timid grew bold; and the lovers of peace were willing to gird on the harness of war.

these have been removed, we should probably have declared indepen-fuel was supplied from a thousand dence inany years before. It only remained, then, for the British to render our situation desperate-to leave us nothing to hope from a fur ther connexion. This they did, chiefly by two measures, which they adopted in Dec. 1775. One was an act to employ 16,000 Hanoverian Mercenaries against the colo1 nists; and the other, an act to exclude the colonists from British protection.

On this stupendous occasion, the conduct of Congress was as pru dent and cautious, as their feelings were ardent and energetic. Though probably most of them were convinced that such a measure was in

recommended to the respective colonies to form such constitutions of colonial government, as each should judge conducive to the public good. This recommendation was adopted by Congress, May 10. Being immediately communicated

Near the beginning of March 1776, intelligence of these acts reached the colonies. The indig-dispensable, they were far from nation, occasioned by them, among hurrying the declaration of indeall classes, can scarcely be imag-pendence. In the first place, they ined. The king's speech was condemned, and ordered to be burnt in the centre of the camp at Cambridge. Before this, the king had been treated with the utmost respect, affection and loyalty; and all the sufferings, which the colonists had endured from British oppres-by the Provincial Assemblies and sion, had been ascribed to ministers Conventions, it was acted upon, and to parliament, as their authors. and governments were generally Pa now the king is represented as established accordingly. This was equally abominable. The burning perhaps the greatest stride 3 his speech seems to have lighted wards a general declaration of ina fires of independence through-dependence through the land. Nay out the land. These fires were it seems little short of a virtual stery whore fanned by the breath of declaration of independence by each

to

Who has given us a most striking picture of this debating assembly?

Who was then president of Congress?

Of what town? Boston. What character represented as being then on the floor?

How does the objector com

mence.

What does he represent our con. dition, if Britain should be successful?

What powers did we need to resist the arm of England?

On whose constancy, did the ob jector think, they could not rely?

Whose sympathy was he afraid of losing, in case of declaring independence?

onded by John Adams, of Ms. "This public and unequivocal pro

shining qualities, appeared to spread a kind of sudden dismay. A silent astonishment, for a few minutes,

bly." And here the reader may be expecting to find, that this resolution was immediately and unani

of the Colonial Assemblies, who complied with the recommendation. Under the influence of Congress,posal, from a man of his virtue and the Provincial Assemblies took up the question of independence; and all except Pa. Md. and N. Y. were in favor of immediate separa-seemed to pervade the whole assemtion from Britain. Measures had also been taken, to ascertain the sense of the people; which was expressed in instructions to their rep-mously adopted. This was by no resentatives in the Colonial Assemblies, and was generally in favor of independence. In S. C. the people were peculiarly ardent for this measure. In Va. the public sense was so decisive, that the convention not only instructed their represent atives to move the resolution in the grand Council of the continent, but declared that colony an indepen-gress were not satisfied, that the dent state, before the measure was sanctioned by Congress.

means the case. Though there had
been such an expression in favor
of independence, yet, says Dr.
Ramsay, "some respectable in-
dividuals, whose principles were
pure, but whose souls were not of
that firm texture, which revolu-
tions require, shrunk back from
the bold measure."
"Some in Con-

Adams of Ms. was its chief advocate, and John Dickenson of Pa. a man, perhaps no less patriotica man who had rendered most important services to liberty, was his chief opponent.

time had come for the declaration of independence. For several days, The public opinion having been therefore, the subject was most solthus extensively and decidedly man-emnly and ably discussed.-John ifested in favor of independence, the next step in Congress was to make the motion for the declaration. This was done on the 7th of June, by Richard Henry Lee, of Va. a star of the first magnitude in the constellation of our worthies. It was The motion, having been made in the following words, Resolved, on Friday, was discussed on Saturthat these United Colonies are, day the 8th, and on Monday the and of right ought to be, free and 10th of June. The discussion was independent states, and that all then postponed to the 1st of July. political connexion between them This was done for farther considerand the state of Great Britaination, and with the hope of more is, and ought to be, totally dis- perfect unanimity. solved. This resolution was sec

On the first of July, the subject