The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-06-13

even offered freedom to all slaves
and servants who would enlist In the
force he should collect for the purpose
OF reducing the colony to a proper
sense of its duty" Unable to do more,
he had ravaged the coasts on either
hand upon the bay, and had put men
ashore within the rivers to raid and
burn, making Norfolk, with it's loyal
list merchants, his headquarters and
rendezvous
Driven thence by the provincial
militia, he had utterly destroyed the
| town by fire, and was now refuged
upon Gwynn's Island, striking when
he could, as before, at the unprotected
hamlets and plantations that looked
everywhere out upon the water.
Virginia's only executive, these nine
months and more, had been her COM
mittee of safety, OF which Edmund
Pendleton was president.
Carolina Declares independence.
Washington had hardly begun his
work of organization and defence at
New York before North Carolina
april IL, 1870 authorized her dele
gates in the congress at Philadelphia
to join In declaration of independ-
ence; and the next month MAY 15)
the congress advised the colonies to
give over all show and pretence Of
waiting for or desiring peace or ac-
commodation; TO form complete and
independent governments of their own,
and SO put an end to ''the exercise of
every kind of authority under the
crown"
The next step was joint Declara-
ton of Independence, upon motion
made in congress by Richard Henry
Lee, in eager obedience to the express
bidding of a convention met in the
hall OF the Burgesses at Williamsburg.
to frame constitution for Virginia
Many Still unconvinced.
His motion was adopted by the
votes of every colony except New
York. It was bitter thing to many a
loyal man in the colonies to see such
things done. and peace rendered i'm
possible. Not even those who counted
themselves among the warmest friends
of the colonial cause were agreed that
it was wise thus to throw of one gov
eminent before another was put in its
place-while there was as yet no bet
ter guidance in that districted time
than might be had from a body of
gentlemen in Philadelphia who pos
sessed no power but to advise
But the radicals were in the sad
die.
Washington for No Compromise.
i Washington himself came down from
New York to urge that the step be
taken. He deemed such radicalism
wise; for he wished to see compro-
mise abandoned, and all minds set as
sternIy as his own in the resolve to
fight the fight out to the bitter end.
Il have never entertained an idea of
an accommodation" he said, since
heard of the measures which we're
adopted in consequence of the Bunk
er's Hill fight; and his will hardened
Il to the contest after the fashion that
had always been characteristic of him
when once the heat of action was up
on him.
Tories Make Difficulties.
A A1G 61CW StSAns anu SpOh6 cOMC-
times with a touch of harshness, in
the presence of his. difficulties at New
York; because he knew that they
we're made for him in no small part
by Americans who were in the Brit
ish interest, and whom he scorned
even while scrupulous to be Just in
what he did to thwart and master
them.
1T requires more serenity of tenn
per, a deeper understanding. and more
courage than fell to the lot OF MARI
borough to ride in this whirlwind.'
said John Adams; and the young COM
mander-in-chief had them all
But his quiet was often that of a
metal at white heat, and he kindled a
great fire with what he touched
No strength of will. however, could
suffice to hold New York and its open
harbor against powerful enemy with
such troops as Washington could drill
and make between April and July.
On the 2Sth of June British trans
ports began to gather in the lower
bay Within few days they had
brought thirty thousand men armed
and equipped as no other army had
ever been In America.
British Hold Staten Island.
1t was impossible to prevent their
landing and they we're allowed to take
possession of Staten island unopposed.
Men-of-war passed untouched through
the Narrows. and made their way at
will up the broad Hudson, unhurt by
the batteries upon either shore.
General Howe remembered Dorches-
ter and charlestown Heights. and di.
rected his first movement against
Washington's intrenched position on
the hills-of Brooklyn. where quite halt
the American army lay. For a little
space he waited till his brother. AID
rniral Lord Howe, should come to
act with him in negotiation and com
mand.
Lord Howe Offers Pardon.
4 Lord Howe was authorized to offer
pardon for submission, and very hon.