New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-03

that our we-meant endeavors shall fail of effect,
We may stand unreproachable BY our own con-
sciences in the last solemn appeal TO the God OF
battles"
The South Carolina Congress had just convened
when news Of the battle of Lexington arrived. 1t
resolved that it would repe force by force whenever
the Continental or Provincial Congress should deter
mine it to be necessarily a9i declared that would
hold all those inimical to46e Colonies who refused
their assent TO this determination. Before an adj
journment, Lord William Campbell, the Gov
ernor arrived and was received with all the demon
STATIONS of JOY which had been usual on such occa-
sions. In their address, the Congress disclaimed
all love of innovation and all Inst of independence
They begged the Governor to assure His Majesty of
their loyalty md affection; and Lord Campbell. we
are told, returned a mild and prudent answer
His subsequent conduct was anything but mild and
prudent and the people of South Carolina had quite
as much experience of him they desired, before
all was over.
In North Carolina the Royal Governor Martin, ne
living mainly upon the loyalty Of the Scotch settlers,
was attempting to incite an instruction among the
negroes but before he could make much military
Preparation he was driven to seek safety on board
a soop of war in Cape Fear River. Generally how
ever as Chief-Justice Marshall says, the prevailing
sentiment still was that reconciliation. on the
practicable, and was deyoutly to be wished but
that war was to be preferred TO the surrender of
those rights for which they had contended and to
which they believed every British subject where
ever placed was entitled. They did not hesitate,
therefore which part of the alternate to embrace
and these delegates united cordially with the North
in such measures as the exgency required
THE BOLDER SPIRITS.
Even 80 early as January 20, 1775 Virginia was
arning Madison writing to his friend Bradford SAID
AZ follows I'VE are very busy at present in raising
men and procuring the necessares for defending our
selves and our friends in case of sudden INVASION.
The cxtensiveness of the demands of the Congress
and the pride of the British nation, together Win
the wickedness of the present Ministry seem IN the
Indictment of cur politicians to require preparation
for extreme events. There viii by Spring, expect.
be some thousands of well-trained. high-splrted
men ready to meet danger wherever it appears, who
are influenced by no mercenary principle but bearing
their own expenses and having the prospect OF no
recompense but the honor and safety OF the coun-
try
Jefferson May y wrote to Dr. Small on the first
rumor of the affair at Lexington That such an
action has occurred is undoubted, though perhaps
the circumstances may not have reached Us Win
truth This accident has cut off our last hope OF re-
Cancellation and frenzy of revenge seems to nave
reached all ranks of people" Yet he could write III
August that he was still looking with fondnesS To-
ward reconciliation with Great Britain"
Franklin July q wrote to fricstley: The Lex
ington matter has rendered cancellation hopeless
Another petition to tie crown has been carried with
ditncultyD So also as late the Sd of October he
wrote to a Friend in England" supposed to he
David Hartley: Every ship from Britain brings
some ntel gence of new measures that tend more
and more to exasperate /; and it seems To me, that
until YOU have found by dear experience the reduc-
inc Us by force mpracticablc you VIII THINK Oh
nothing fair and reasonable We hare rs get re'o'red
only on decnsre measures. If you wonld rccaH your
forces and stay at home, we should mediate nothing
IN ininre Won. little tine so given for cooling Us
both ulI have excellent effect. But you VIII z al
and provoke us ; You dcspse us too much ana yon
are nsensible of the Italian adagc-Ihere ~ no hHie
enerna- All the evil lie attributes to the hanging
hands of few laundering ministers; :" wise p"lcy
NAV vet save the Colonies TO the crown but of the
adoption Of such a policy, Franklin evidently had
small hope.
On the 10th OF June, John Adams wrote to Moses
Gill from Philadelphia: found the general sense
abroad is to prepare for a vigorous defensive war
but at the same time keep open the door Of recon
citation to hold the sword in one hand, and the
olive branch in the other ; to proceed with warlke
measures and cOncilatOry measures pan passu" tie
also said with the true Adams fire: In my opin-
ion powder and artillery the most eicacous and
imfaihble cOnclatOry measures we can adopt
90 he wrote TO his friend Srahan in London a
lctter which has been much misunderstood: MIR
Strahan Y0u are a member Of Parliament and one
of that laority which has doomed my country 10
lestr1 ION. You have begun 10 burn Our towns and
muri, our pc e. Look upon your hands They
are stained with the blood of your relatives. You
and we're long friends you are now my enemy, and
am. Yonrs. Benz Franklin" That this letter
really meant mach less than it appears 10 mean is
evident from the fact that the friendly relations OF
Straban and Franklin continued long afterward I'M
broken
But whatever may have been the doubts and
the fears of Others there were three bold spirits who
did not share Them and of these, Samuel Adams.
tie nohest historic character of that time and one
of the noblest of any time one. He went back
in Nav 1875, TO the second Congress, eager for an
immediate declaration of independence. The Con-
cord fight he thought. had settled that matter and
substantially severed the tie between Great Britain
and America. He was 4 republican IN grain, with no
love even for the most moderate and constitutional
monarchy-a form of government which then had
charm even for Jefferson The debates IN Congress
are unrcported, but we know that sam Adams was
among the foremost in urging vigorous and decisive
honor of being excepted in all proclamations of
mercy proceeding from the crown.
DECLARATION BY CONGRESS.
II was on the 9th of July, 1875, that Congress set
forth its declaration of the causes and necessity of
taking up arms The hostile acts at Lexington and
Concord Boston. Charlcstown, and elsewhere, were
enunerated and the statement closed with words
written by jefferson. a. follows: We have not
raised armies with designs Of separating from Great
Britain and establishing independent States. Neces
-..-. il..lt desI.e