The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-05-13
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The three specially notable days in May,
1776, were the 9th, 10th and the 18th.
On the 9Th, in England letters patent
were issued to Lord Howe and General
Howe, as Commissioners to grant pardon
to rebels who would recant and sue for
pardon. On the same day the Burgesses
of Virginia met and determined that as
the King and Parliament had subyerted
the ancient constitution, they were'no long
er legal body. The Assembly was dis
solved under the old regime, and the Con-
vention met under the new. On the same
day, the 9Th Of May, as it was understood
that Commissioners were to be delegated
on the part Of Great Britain, Congress de-
cided to adopt no measures for their recep-
ton, until the authority of Congress should
be recognized by previous application.
And, as If perfectly assured that the pur-
pose Of the Commission was not reconcile
alton, but subjugation, by fomenting d.
visions. the Congress voted to raise ten
millions Of dollars for the war expenses
of the current year. Thus were force on
the one side and resistance on the other
determined upon with coincidence which
could not have been more exact if London
and Philadelphia had been united by tel
egraph
As early as July, l175, John Adams had
proposed in Congress the assumption by
the Colonies OF the powers OF Government,
the holding OF the Kings officers as hos
tages, the opening Of the ports Of the Col
onles to all nations, and the formation of
general Government. This proposition
had IN terms been delayed, though in effect
It's most important features were forced
upon Congress BY the progress Of events
Inc nope OF a reconciliation with Great
Britain had been gradually relinquished
the declared friends ofindependenee leay-
ing the hesitating to be convinced by the
test OF experience rather than by argu-
ment. On the 10th Of May, 1776, after
TWO days debate the proposition Of John
Adams was adopted in the form of res
oiution, recommending to the Assemblies
and Conventions OF the Colonies in all
cases where it had not already been done,
to establish governments adequate to their
exlgencies. The force Of this resolution
VIII be observed in its assumption, that
where the COLONIES had not established
governments no governments existed. 1t
was virtual denial Of allegiance to Great
Britain.
After the passage Of the resolution a
committee composed Of John Adams, Ed
ward hutiedge, and Richard Henry Lee,
We're appointed to draw up q preamble.
Lhls preamble, adopted on the 10th of
May, declared that "it was absolutely ir-
reconcilable with reason and good con-
science for the people Of these colonies
now 70 take oaths ard afiirnations neces-
sary for the support Of any government
under the crown of Great Britain; and
that II was necessary that every exercise
Of authority under the crown should be
totally suppressed, and all the powers of
government exerted under the authority
OF the people OF the colonies, for the pres
ervation Of their peace and their defence
against their enemies.
On the same 18th day of May, in Vir-
gina, the Convention which had organized
on the 9th passed unanimously series of
resolutions instructing the Virginia dele
gates IN Congress to propose to that body
ITO declare the United Colonies free and
independent States On the passage Of
these resolutions the British flag, which
had hitherto floated on the State House
Of Virginia, was hauled down. On the
9th the famous Virginia aBill Of RIGHTS,
was reported, and on the 18th Of June fol-
lowing passed. 1t has been remarked that
while similar declarations by other colonies
were framed in reference to their relations
with Great Britain the Virginia declara-
tion was the voice Of reason going forth
% create new institutions speak new
political world into being"
North Carolina had already declared in |
convention for the Independence Of the |
colonies; the Chief Justice Of South Car
olina at the opeuingof the May Courts,
had charged the Grand Jury in Charleston
that George the Third had abdicated the
IL" !. II N<1H