Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-06-17
JUNE. I776-1S76.

On the 7th day OF June, one hundred |
years ago. Richard Henry Lee in pursuance |
of instructions passed by the Convention of |
Virginia, moved the following resolution in |
Congress That these united colonies
are, and of right ought to be, free and in
dependent States that they are absnlved
from all allegiance to the British crown,
and that all political connection between
them and the State of Great Britain is,
and ought to be dissolved that it is expedi
ent forthwith to take the most effectual
measures for forming foreign alliances, and
that plan of confederation be prepared
and transmitted to the respective colonies
for their consideration and appreciation. y
John Adams, of Massachusetts, seconded
the proposition from Virginia. His con-
stituents, like the Virginians, had already
declared themselves in favor of the measure,
and from the first of the preceding month
the name of the sovereign of Great Britain
had been expunged from the preamble of
all official acts. Three days of earnest de-
bate followed in Congress on the resolution,
and, on the third day, final action on the
important measures was deferred for three
weeks.
That postponement was the proposition
of members who, however faithful to the
cause of Independence, when its assertion
was finally determined upon. still had linger-
ing doubts of the propIiety of a measure
so positive. Some, perhaps, had also hopes
of an adjustment of the difficulty without
| the result of a measure 80 positive. Some,
perhaps, had also hopes of an adjustment
of the difficulty without the resort to
an issue SO marked and decisive. And
| the declared friends of a separation acted,
in the premises, with the calm moderation
which attended all the proceedings Of the
Continental Congress. AS has been more
| than once observed in the course of these
papers, the delegates in Congress remem.
| bered their representative character. They
| did not, except in some individual instan-
| ces undertake to lead, or to commit their
constituents but preferred to wait for the
| inspiration of the people from without rath-
er than to dictate the policy to be adopted.
They recognized the Justice and the wisdom
of such moderate progress as would permit
the voice OF the people to be heard. They
felt sure Of the strength which the sepa-
rate action of the colonies would give to
their delegates convened in the general
@ )ngress. And the result justified their
wisdom.
Meanwhile the three weeks were not lost.
1t WAS decided that committee should be
appointed to prepare a Declaration in ex-
} PLANTATION of the resolution of Independence,
and Jefferson, John Adams, Franklin, Sher-
man and Robert r Livingstone were chosen
, by ballot on the 11th of June. On the 18th.
} a committee of one member from each col
ony was appointed to draw up plan OF
] confederation. On the 18th, Board OF
| War was appointed. The subject of the
, formation Of treaties with foreign powers
was entrusted to committee composed oi
a Dickinson, Franklin, john Adams Harrison
: and Robert Morris. The plan of confedera
d ton was not acted on during the year l776
n tacit confederation proving easier than tht
8 settlement of terms. On the Oath of June
} Congress resolved that all persons resid
/ ing within any of the United Colonies, ant
n deriving protection from its laws, owed al
1t legiance to said laws and were members o
/ such colony, and that such residents a
., should adhere to the King Of Great Brital
le and give him aid and comfort were guilt
a. of treason" The Declaration of lndepent
az ence could not go farther in " IndepenC
of ence than this. And that crowning al
he which belongs to the next month was bI
be the concentration and definition Of I'll
ld purpose of the successive acts of the mont
p of June. While the measures of the peop
n. i'll their primary meetings and convention
ay strengthened Congress- and left that DOC
Ia little more to do than to interpret ana cry
~. talize the national expression, signal mi
n. itary success gave further strength to Il
,st popular cause. This success was the repul
", of the British sea and land forces in the
". attempt against Charleston, S. c., on Il
ia, 28th OF June. The defence of CharlestC
Is, was " an announcement to the other col
N MES of the existence of South Carolina as
ue self directing republic, message of brot
nd erhood and Union" The failure of the
Die vading forces left the soil of the coloni
lrs free from the presence of any royal milit
lal ry power an suspicious sign for the gre
me Declaration already heralded, and need
is only formal adoption.
'ial Twom of the many events Of June
ual mand notice. On the 11th, John Witht
led spoon d. D. president of Princeton Colle&
of opened the New Jersey Convention W
as prayer. He participated in the debates
ges the Convention, and thence went as a de
the gate to the Continental Congress.
memory will be honored by statue
ro- Fairmount Park. On the 18Th of June,
ON patriotic committees of Philadelphia, a
ma Of the several counties of Pennsylvania, L
one in Carpenters Hall, under the Presidel
lhe of Thomas Mexican, and on the 18th una
ries mously approved the resolution Of Congr
the of the 18th of May, " that it was necess
i'm, that every exercise of authority under
ullc crown should be totally suppressed.
are Philada. Ledger.
are ==.-------=----