The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-07-17

.ude dressed in buff pants aud vest. blue
,oat, spaulet,s on both shoulders, girte d |
With sword, booted and spurred. stand.
ag six feet two inches-With large
bands aud feet-full breast and broad
shoulders. pouderous head aud strongly
marked featurea.) 10 took of his'hRt.
drew bis sword, bowed himself, and
with loud voice said, ION this day. by
authority of the Continental Congress,
assume command of+he Centissutal
armies Of the Unite Colonies Of North
America After moments pause he
called out to General Putnam anu
askcd-'Did the militia stand freT
The answer Of tho intrepid Putnam
was-"Tho militia stood fire." Then
said Washington, ~ t'ill lead YOU 10
pictoryl" Tho shout that went up
shook the mountains and aroused every
patriot TO arms. This was IN l775, aud
may DO justly said to be The beginning
Of the struggle for Independence. The
war Oh both sides commenced in earn
est and Wenton with varying successes
aud reyerses. On the 4tl Of July.
1776, the Declaration Of Independence
was finally adopted. England was
greatly eIasperated, and Parliament
voted men and money to suppress The
insurrectiou. Tho Colonists wero not
idle-eycry effort was made aud every
means reSorted to, to make good that
Declaration. With the 6hy.six sign.
ers, who for its support had pledged to
each other "thcir lives. their fortunes
and their sacred honors." it was nov
With them death or victory. Great
Britain ,hirsted for their blood, and Of.
tered la.ge rewards for their capture.
Dr.. Franklin aud Arthur Lee were sent
to France to solicit aid. On the 9Th Of
Febrnsry, ITS, France acknowledged
the Independence Of the United States
and entered into relations of reciprocal
friendship. Subsequently, she sent to
our aid men aud money. England,
also. at tho same time, sent new levies
Of troops, and additional supplies for
our subjuga.ion. On land aud SEQ. she
carried on tho war. Our little navy,
and that Of the French. we're driven
from the ocean. Our towns and cities
ware burned. and our people greatly
harassed and impoverished. Despair
Of success had at one time become so
great, that the removal Of Washington
va, loudly talked Of. At Valley
Forge, with bis ragged and half-starvsd
ar.ay-their feet worn and bleeding,
aud bis camp ready to revolt, his great
soul for time gave way. and tears Of
despss, grief we're seen to roll down
bis furroWed cheeks. The boldest and
stoutcst were appalled,, The safety Of
the republic was almost despaired Of.
DR.. Franklin. however, was not idle
-hs va, working up the patriots Of
the old world. Do Grassc was on bis
way with the French my Lord
Corvallis and bis Hessians had burn.
ed and laid waste New england and
the Middle States. aud had penetrated
Virginia as far as Charlottesville With
tho hupe of capturing Mr.. Jefferson,
then Governor Of Virginia. Corn.
wallis himself. with his main army.
was quAr..rsd at Yorktown. on the
York river. De Grasse moved his naval
arlnsment to its mouth-Washington
acted in copjunc,ion-Both moved upon
CORVALLIS simultaneously. no was
confronted or oil sides.--and as boys
say caught mapping" He made sever.
al attempts to extrlcatc himself but to
no purpose. Surrender or death starc3
him in the facG-he preferred the for
mer, and on the 18th Of October. 1881.
surrendered himself md bis army TO
the commander Of the Continental
forces. A courier vas sent to Con.
grss,, who arrived in Philadelphia on
the 23rd. Congress assembled, md
before that angus, body the dispatch
Of Washington was read, announcing
COrnwallis's surrender. The effect Of
the news may well DO imagined. The
war WAS virtually ended. % the 3rd
OF Noyeptcr, 1888. 4 final treaty VI
peace was effected. the terms Of
which were, 1.-The Independence Of the
United States-tho recession BY Great
britain Of Florida to Spain-the sur
render Of all the remaining territory
oass Of the Mississippi aud south Of the
great lakes to the United Sla,es-tho
Tree navigation Of the Mississippi and
the lakes by American vessels-the
concession OF mutual rights in the Now
FOuudland fisheries, and the retention
by Great Britain Of Canada and Nova
scotia, with the exclusive consrel Of the
81. Lawrence" The Articles Of Con.
federation we're found TO DO inadequate
10 tie growing needs Of the country.
Washington suggested tho idea OF 4
s trouger government uader \ written
Constitution, which should have power
TO stf,ri greater safety and protection
to the peOple, and at the same time
provide for its own preservation. The
proposition met with favor. Delegates
from the severa! States mot 10 Conven-
lion, prepared aud adopted the present
Constitution. which was subsequently.
on the 2lst Of June. 1888. fualIy rat
flied. With the adoption aud ratiica.
ton Of the Constitution Of tho United
States. our country entered upon new
career Of prosperity. The clouds which
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