Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-07-04

hlcal laws to mako the colonies n perpetual
market for her goods. For this purpose Parlia-
ment had passed no less than twenty nine laws
restricting or prohibiting labor. They forbade
the erection OF machinery the use of water
falls, or the manufacture of articles OF any
kind. The coasting trade In lumber, fish, mo-
lasses and sugar was interdicted, and the ves-
sells engaged In 1t, with their cargoes, were con-
fscated. The revolution was begun for the pur-
pose Of releasing labor from these arbitrary
restrictions.
In those days, before postal system had
even been dreamed of, IT required twenty days
for news of the battle of Lexington to reach
South Carolina. The effect there as elsewhere
was electrical, In common with her sister
colonies, South Caroliua sent assurances OF
sympathy and assistance The colonies were
unit In resolving to fight. The heroes who led
In the unequal struggle were young then, and
added the ardor OF youth to an Unborn love Of
freedom. Time proved the superiority OF such
combination over professional soldiery,.
Washington was 40 when he assumed COM
but 80 when he wrote the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. OF the members OF the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1851, Jonathan Dayton was
not yet "a; William Jackson was 29; and Alex
ander Hamilton was but few months past 3d.
The average age OF the whole number was a
little less than 4j years.
i When the battle OF Bunker Hill was fought, the
supply of ammunition in the continental army
consisted of twenty-seven halfbarrels OF pow
der. This was soon after augmented by thirty
six half-barrels from Connecticut There were
but fifty bayonets in the patriot army during
that battle. But they knew not what fear was,
fought with dubbed guns or with stones.
Public sentiment underwent rapid change as
the struggle progressed. IL very soon became
I'm renouncing allegiance TO the British crown.
People began TO talk OF freedom freedom was
preached from the pulpits and pamphlets advo-
eating freedom were lavishly circulated.
On March 90, 1776, South Carolina adopted n
Constitution and provided for self-goyernment.
Rhode Island proclaimed her absolute inde-
pendence OF Great Britain on May 4, and on the
10th Of the same month the Massachusetts,
House of Representatives requested the people
to assemble and decide whether they should
pledge their lives and fortunes to the support
OF Congress in case independence should be de-
clared.
the exception OF New York, determined TO unite
i'm renounciug allegiance TO Great Britain. Tho
New York Assembly was deferred from joining
the colonies in this movement by doubt as TO
the power of Congress TO dissolve the existing
relations. They thought best to first submit
| the question to the people
On the 18th of May, the Virginia convention
that had taken the place of the Provincial As
sembly passed n resclution urging Congress- TO
immediate action. Connecticut, Delaware. New
| Hampshire and New jersey passed similar
resolutions, and were soon followed by Penn
| sylvania and Maryland
In response to these requests Richard Henry
Lee OF Virginia, offered the following resolu-
| tlons ON June Tth, which were seconded by John
] Holmes
@That these united colonies are and OF right
ought to'be, free aud independent states that
| they are absolved from all allegiance to the
British crown, and that all political connection
between them and the state OF Great Britain is
THAT It Is oxpedent forthwith 10 take the
most efectnal measures for forming foreign
| alliances.
"That a plan Of confederation be prepared
| and transmitted 10 the respective colonies for
| their consideration and appreciation"
| This Was the first direct and open declaration
| Of national Independence. No action was taken
upon these resolutions, however until July lst,
rAan Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benja-