New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-03
JULY 4, 1915.
YEAR BEFORE THE DIE WAS CAST
AYrRR THE BATTLE or BUNKER HrLL-rHE STATE
OF PUBLIC AFFAIRs-ONg OF THE MOST CAU-

TIoUs oP REVOLUTIONS
succnct statement of the condition OF pubhc al
hairs and opinion, one year before the Declaration
of independence, will have value and interest ut TINS
time and in the first place 1t Is well to understand
what were the complaints and grievances OF the
Coouists. Whatever other causes OF dissatisfaction,
concealed OF avowed, may have influenced popular
leaders. and through their agitation. the popular
mind the main Injustice upon which the revolution
ary movement was based, was the right claimed ny
the British Parliament TO exercise dominion as the
only supreme and legislative power over all the
American Colonies" The power of taxation was not
ell that was assumed, though it doubtless took the
fastest hold upon the minds of the people. Parlla-
ment also claimed the right Of multiplying officers AT
pleasure and of signing them fees to he pa'd by
the colonists without the sanction of the Provincial
Assemblies. The courts, also, were tempered with,
and there had been interference with the right of
trial by Jury The royal charters had been abro-
gated or there had been gross violation Of their
provisions. In the beginning there was no lack OF
LOYALTY 10 the crown nor any Impotence Of legal
restraint. The separation III the nature OF things
inevitable at some future period was undoubtedly
fastened by the personal stupidity and Obstinacy of
George II . and by such lack of wisdom i'll his Min
sters as few Cabinets have ever exhibited. The
Continental Congress which met in l774 made an
explicit hut at the same time moderate declaration
of Colonial rights. Especially representation in Par
lament being considered impossible, il held that
al taxation FOR raising revenue in America should be
sanctioned by the Assemblies the regulation OF trade,
however being left 10 Parliament. The Congress
planted itself upon the common law of England 1t
asserted the right of trial by jury of the vicnage;
of petitioning the King; and of holding public meet
ngs to consider grievances. 1t denounced the main
tenance of standing armies in time of peace with
out the consent of the local Legislatures The Acts
of Parliament 10 which il was declared " Americans
would not submit" were-l. The Sugar Act; 2. The
Stamp Act; 3. The Acts for quarterlng troops f. The
Tea Act o. The Acts for the trial IN Great Britain Of
ofien~es in America; q. The Boston Port Bill; :. The
Quebec Act s. The Act for regulating the Govern
ment of Massachusetts, g. The Act sIspending the
New-YOrk Legislature. All the measures proposed
by the Congress were peaceabe. There was also 20
be loyal address His Majesty another to the peO
pie of Great Britain, and a memorial 10 the inhablt-
ants of British America The most important,
however was the plan of entering into non
importation. nOn-cOnsumptiOn, and transportation
agreement OF association Adams describes the de-
bates A. characterized by a moderation an acute
ness and mnnteness equal TO that of Queen Eliza
beths lrivy Council" while Chatham in Parliament
praised the "decency, frmness, and wisdom" OF the
Congress. There was. thus far, it will be SEEN no
idea of rebellion or Of independence OF at least no
official sanction Of that idea. Never were great pub
lie duties performed with more commendabe pru-
dence and moderation 1t was nine years after the
passage Of the Stamp Act 1t four years after
the Boston Massacre. The Revolution certainly
moved slowly. 1t began more than century before
when Massachusetts had declared that her own
Legislature and not the Parliament the highest
authority known 20 her charter and laws 1t adj
vanced through n hundred Quarreis and mlsunder-
standings until the discomfort eliminated in the
Declaration of 1916. Even in IVA Washington
could write e" | think announce it "a a fact
that It is not the wish or interest of that government
Massachusetts OF any other upon this continent,
separately collectively 20 set up for independence;
but this you may rely that none of them viii ever
submit to the loss of their valuable rights or prv
Lges, which are essential 10 the happiness Of every
free State and without which, hfe, liberty and
property are rendered totally insecure" The whole
position Of affairs at thai time could not be
euratcly stated.
EFFECT OF THE MILITARY OPERATIONS
Several important events had occurred of which
We have already treated The battle Of Lexington
had been fought on the 10Th Of April, 1775 Ticou
deroca had been captured May y and the action Of
Bunker I'LL had occurred June II. The second Cen
e1al Congress had assembled the 10th of MAY
Washington had been appointed Commander Chief
of the American forces; lie had arrived at Water
town Mass. July 2; hal been cordially received BY
the Massachusetts Congress. and subsequently at
Cambridge by the army. On the 10th of May, the
Continental Congress had issued bills Of credit 10 the
amount of $:}.0OO.OO0, pledgng the faith OF the
United Colonies for their redemption. But nOtwith
standing this action the undecided If not IrresOlufe
state Of the public mind is well illustrated by the
manner in which the Congress received the intel
gence of the capture of Ticondcroga 1t was bril-
liant and timely and should have been eminently
encouraging and satisfactory exploit yet the csoln
tons passed by Congress on the occasion were re-
markedly apologize in their tone. 1t was claimed
that the limits of -elfdefcnse had not been tran
scended: that information had been received Of
design for cruel invasion of tie Colonies from Can
ada and that steps had actually been taken towards
CARRYING this ~ INTO execution The posts on tie
lakes had been seized only 10 avert heavy calamity
The Committees of New-York and Albany were
recommended 10 remove tie cannon and military
stores place tie south end OF Lake George
there 70 be preserved in safety. An eXact inventory
wac ordered that the stores might be safely re-
turned when the restoration Of the former harmony
between Great Britain and the Colonies SO aJdently
wished for 10y the latter. should render 1t prudent
AMI consistent with the eveI-ruing law OF se-pres-
ervatiOn." To this Congress added declaration
that no expedition or incnrsiOn ouglt to be under
taken or made by any Colony or body of coOnists.
against or into Canada" This resolution was tTaIs-
lated into the French language, and transmitted to
the people Of that prOvnce-a stroke of policy evi-
IDENTITY intended 10 meet the possibility Of prolonged
host lities.
Virginia, NFw-YORK, AND THE CAROJNAs.
The second Virg MIA Convention met on the goth
of March. 1873. That body in acknowledging the
sympathy which had been expressed by tue ASSEM-
bly, of Jamaica declared it to be tie most ardent
wish of the Colonies land they were persuaded Of tie