The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-07-02
How Great Struggle Was Won

In 1855 the passing of an act Of
parliament for collecting a colonial
revenue by stamps caused general In
dignation and led to riots. The frst
Colonial congress, consisting OF rs
delegates representing nine colonies,
made a statement Of grievances and
a declaration of rights. The stamps
were destroyed or shipped back to
England. In 1886 the stamp act was
repealed, to the great JOY Of the col
onists; but the principle OF colonial
taxation was not abandoned and in
1857 duties were levied on glass, pa
pers, printers colors and tea This
renewed attempt produced In 176s
riots In Boston and Gov. Gage was
furnished with a military force OF 700
to preserve order and enforce h
laws. In 1878 the duties were re-
pealed excepting a 8 pence a pound
on tea. II was now a question OF
principle, and from north to south 1t
was determined that this tax should
not be paid. Some cargoes were
stored in damp warehouses and were
spoiled; some sent back; in Boston a
mob disguised as Indians threw 1t
into the harbor.
Britain Sends Moore Troops
It was now determined to enforce
the government of the crown and
parliament over the colonies; and a
ieet containing several ships of the
line and 10000 troops was sent to
America; while the colonists. still as
serting their loyalty and with little
| or no thought Of separation from the
mother country. prepared to resist
what they considered the unconsti-
tutional assumptions of the govern
ment. Volunteers were drilling in
| every direction and depots of provi-
sions and military stores were being
| gathered. A small force being sent
| from Boston to seize n OF these de-
pots at Concord, Mass, led TO what Is
| called the battle of Lexington, and
| the beginning of the Revolutionary
war, April 10, 1775. The British
| troops were attacked on their return
| by the provincials and compelled to
| beat a nasty retreat. A congress OF
| the colonies assembled at Philadel-
| phia. which resolved to raise and
| equip an army of 10000 men,. and
appointed George Washington COM
mander-in-chief. On June II Breeds
| hill in Charleston, neal Boston, where
1900 Americans had hastily In
trenched themselves, was taken by
assault by the British troops, but
with 80 heavy O loss (1,054 men)
that the defeat had for the provin-
| cials the moral effect of a victory.
| After a Winter of great privations,
the British we're compelled to evacu-
| ate Boston, carrying away in their
feet 1900 loyal families.
The British government now put
| forth a strong effort to reduce the
| colonies to submission. An army of
| $1,000, including 1900 German
| mercenaries ("Hessians"), was sent
| under command of Sir William Howe
| to put down this wicked rebellion"
| The thirteen colonies adopted consti-
buttons as Independent and sovereign
states. On June z, 1776, Richard
Henry Lee of Virginia offered a reso-
lutioa In Congress declaring that "the
united colonies are, and ought to be,
,-ee ard independent state; that they
are abyolved from all allegiance to
| the British crown; and that all polit-
icaI connection between them and the
| state of Great Britain is, and ought
to be, dissolved"
Birth Of Declaration
This resolution. after ar earnest
debate. was adopted by the votes OF
the delegates of nine out OF the thir-