Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-29

W9GD ed the draft OF the
Declaration. tn s
country as a whole became a traitor to
the crown of England, but the men who
later subscribed their names to that docu-
ment-written proof OF their defiance of
England's king-became martyrs to the
Declaration, In order that this country
might lift from around her neck the mill
stone of English oppression they placed
around their own necks the hangman's
rope.
Nor did those men who made up The
Continental Congress believe otherwise.
When. August 3 1776. the engrossed copy
Of the Declaration was about to be signed
by those present. John Hancock, presi-
dent Of the Congress. said:
I'VE must be unanimous; there must
be no pulling different ways; we must all
hang together"
Yes" Benjamin Franklin replied. I'VE
must. indeed. all hang together, or most
assuredly we shall all hang separately"
Hancock, as president probably signed
first and IL is said that he put his
name to the parchment in large, strong
hand, he rose. and exclaimed:
There! John Bull can read my name
without spectacles. and may now double
his reward of 500 for my head That IS
my defiancei"
And John Bull did read his name.
In fact. he was at great pains to read
all the names inscribed upon that docu-
ment. Then he sent OFT an order for the
capture of the men who had so dared
defy their king
During the hostilities which ensued
there were several of the signers Of the
Declaration made prisoners: men who
tasted to the fun Englands hatreds-
Richard Stockton, Francis Lewis. Arthur
Middleton. Lyman Hall, George Walton,
Edward Rutledge. Thomas Hayward and
John Hart were all among those who in
the true sense of the term became mar
tyrs to the Declaration of Independence.
Richard Stockton, one of New Jerseys
signers, perhaps more than any of the
others suffered result of his convic-
tons So great. in fact, were the abuses
heaped upon him, that Congress. hearing
of them, sent word TO Gen. Howe that IL
the treatment accorded him were not
more humane he might expect all British
soldiers captured in the future to be
treated In like manner.
Nearly fifty years of age when he
signed the Declaration. Richard stock
ton was in addition delicate man. To-
ward the end of 117G Mr.. Stockton re-
sumed his seat in Congress after having
completed mission on which that body
i,
however he found IL necessary TO leave
for home 10 find a safer place for his
family than his home then afforded. as
IL lay in the path Of the enemy, who
were making triumphal march through
New Jersey.
He realized that not only the men
themselves who signed the Declaration
but their families as well had become
the objects of vengeance by the British,
and also that the reduced number of the
American army made 1t impossible TO
&tx.&
Thirty miles from his home. in Mon
mouth county. he left his family in safety.
Refusing TO imperil them, however. with
his presence. he went TO reside with a
Mr.. Covenhoven. a friend and patriot.
But fate was against him as, through
the treachery OF some one, a party of
British refugees was informed of his
temporary residence.
Surrounding the house at night both
Stockton and Covenhoven were surprised
and captured by this party. Dragged
from their beds. stripped and plundered
of their possessions. they were started
to New York. Stockton. however, was
first taken 10 Amboy and there thrown
into the common .gaol.' There. desti-
tute and exposed. he allowed to
suffer from the extreme cold and want
of sufficient protection Later, when
taken TO New York. he was again placed
in a common Jail and subjected TO similar
treatment So great were his sufferings
that he contracted the disease which re-
suited In his death not long afterward
Not only the comforts. but the bare
necessities of life were refused Stockton
during his imprisonment In New York
At one time he was left with absolutely
no food for more than twenty-four hours
and then given some which was so coarse
In quality. not to mention scanty in
amount. that he would have been better
on without II.
Fortunately. however. word OF his
treatment reached Congress. A message
was Immediately sent Gen. Howe, stating
that he would either have to treat Stock
ton more humanely or expect retaliation
At that time, as had been the rule, the
utmost humanity had been exercised In
the treatment of all British prisoners.
such Ill treatment as Stockton endured
In prison did not make up the whole OF
his sunerings at the hands of the British
While he was thus confined his property
was plundered. his personal papers
burned. and his fine library destroyed. as
were also his horses and cattle.
When peace finally prevailed. Stockton
returned home 20 find all in ruins. His
property destroyed. his finances wiped
out. 50 great was his poverty that he was
forced to call .JpOr friends IN sacrre the