The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1921-07-02
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In 1868 the passing of an act of
parliament for collecting a colonial
revenue by stamps caused general in
dignation and led to riots. The first
Colonial congress, consisting of %
delegates representing min colonies,
made a statement of grievances and
a declaration of rights. The stamps
were destroyed or shipped back to
England. In 1766 the stamp act was
repealed, to the great joy of the col
onists; but the principle of colonial
taxation was not abandoned and in
1867 duties were levied on glass, pa
pers, printers colors and tea. This
renewed attempt produced in 1853
riots in Boston and Gov. Gage was
furnished with a military force of 700
In 1773 the duties were repealed TX
cepting a 3 pence q pound on tea. 1t
was now q question of principle, and
from north to south 1t was determined
that this tax should not be paid. Some
cargoes were stored in damp ware
houses and spoiled; some sent back
in Boston a mob disguised as Indians
threw it into the harbor.
Britain Sends More Troops.
It was now determined to enforce
the government Of the crown and par-
lament wei the colonies; and a fleet
containing several ships of the line
and 10000 troops was sent to America ;
while the colohists, still asserting their
loyalty and with little or no thought
Of separation from the mother coun-
try, prepared to resist what they con-
sidered the unconstitutional assump-
lions of the government. Volunteers
were drilling in every direction and
depots of provisions and military
stores were being gathered. A small
force being sent from Boston to seize
one of these depots at Concord, Mass,
led to what is called the battle of
Lexington, and the beginning of the
Revolutionary war, April 10, 1TT5. The
British troops were attacked on their
return by the provincials and COM
PEELED to beat a hasty retreat. A
congress of the colonies assembled at
Philadelphia, which resolved to raise
and equip an army of 10000 men. and
appointed George Washington COM
mander-in-chief. On June II Breeds
1900 Americans had hastily %intrenched
themselves, was taken by assault by
the British troops, but with so heavy
a loss (1,054 mem that the defeat had
for the provincials the moral effect of
a victory. After a winter of great
privations, the British were compelled
to evacuate Boston, carrying away IN
their fleet 1900 loyal families.
The british government now put
forth a strong effort to reduce the
colonies to submission. An army of
$4,000, including 1900 German mer-
ncoqarias NssRA~slanS,rAgas-~qnt ead<w.
command of Sir William Howe to put
down this wicked rebellion" The thir-
teen colonies adopted constitutions as
Independent and sovereign states. On
June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of
Virginia offered a resolution in con-
gress declaring that 1.-THE united col
onies are, and ought to be, free and
Independent states; that they are abb
solved from all allegiance to the Brit
ish crown and that all political con-
nection between them and the state
of Great Britain is, and ought TO be,
dissolved"
Birth of Declaration.
This resolution, after an earnest
debate, vas adopted by the votes of
the delegates of nine out of the thlr-
teen colonies. A committee consisting
of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman
and Robert r. Livingston was in
structed to prepare a declaration in
accordance with the above resolution
and the celebrated Declaration of In
dependence, written by Mr.. Jefferson,
based upon the equality of all men
and the universal right of s~elf-govern-
ment, and asserting that "all govern
ment derives its just powers from the.
consent of the governed" on July 4,
1776, received the assent of the dele
gates of the colonies, which thus dis
solved their allegiance to the British
crown and declared themselves free
and independent states.
Dark Days for Patriots.
After the evacuation of Boston by
the British, Gen. Washington, with
the remains of his army, thlnned by
the hardships of winter, FASTENED to
New York. On July 2 Gen. Howe
being joined by his brother, Admiral
Lord Howe, and Sir Henry Clinton
found himself at the head of $4,000
men; defeated the Americans on Long
Island Aug. 81, 1776, compelled the
evacuation of New York and secured
possession of its spacious harbor and
the Hudson river.
On Christmas night Gen. Washing
ton by crossing in boats among float
ing ice made a successful night attack
upon a Hessian force at Trenton and
gave new courage to the despairing
Americans, who recruited the army
and harassed the enemy with a win
ter campaign.
In the meantime Silas Deane and
Benjamin Franklin had been sent to
France to solicit recognition and aid.
The recognition was delayed, but inn
portant aid was privately given in
money and supplies, and European
volunteers-the Marquis de Lafayette,
Baron Steuben, Baron de Kalb, Kos
kiusco and Pulaski-repdered the most