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Text
June, July, August 2005
Volume 4, No. 4
THE INTERPRETER'
S NEWSPAPER
W.
il
4(
No ,----
r...
0
Stamp
Act_
6652"
of Independence
17
NO. 1 IN COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
Exhibit— See Insert
1776
SUMMER
June 7:
from
his instructions
with
Virginia
the
Convention,
I
Richard Henry Lee moves in Congress " that these United Colonies
and of
are,
and independent
absolved
are
political
the
and
ought
of Great
State
to
1
I-
liamsburgpasses
Based
draft
on a
w
l
„
and
i
iE
f
A,
Mason
r
.
for
stitution
the new
Convention passed the fast Declaration
of Rights adopted in America, drafted by
George Mason, and on July 4, 1776 the
had
in other states, and on the
i
,
6-, .
"'
p••
'
on Human
ideals— ideals that still reverberate powother peoples today."
Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression.
Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and
tr .
Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a
on
Aa
dotil,, ---
and England hath given her warning to depart.
stranger,
Thomas
floor. From Philadelphia,
wide- reach-
Advance of the Lacmy" By A. W. Thompson
adopts a con
and
Declaration
erfully in the lives of Americans and
commonwealth.
cm
committee
free-
And as Gordon Wood states, the
Dedaration of Independence" remained
a brilliant expression of Enlightenment
1
t
George Mason's initial proposals are
much modified in
own
1776 the Virginia
United Nations."
1-.-
ry
r; " i
month of debate,
a
Convention
their
12,
tial basis for the Statement
F
lei '
1, '
June 29:
the Virginia
defined
the French Revolution. It also was a par
r
r,
of self- government...
After more than
and
On June
Rights appended to the charter of the
``
f'
I
of Fairfax County, it contained ringing statements of individual liberty
the right
doms.
and of the Citizen in the early days of
i
F
o;.-
in America.
George
by
Wil-
in
j
f
first Dedara
the
adopted
of Rights
tion
of discussion,
Convention
Virginia
the
Empire
subsequent federal Bill of Rights and
the Dedaration of the Rights of Man
r
weeks
In a few short weeks during the
provisions
is,
be, totally dissolved.
several
'
ing influence on similar constitutional
June 12:
After After
•+
Independence.
them
Britain
IN
As historian John Selby argues, " the
all
that
...• "
rr,
Virginia
allegiance
and
iii,
earl summer of 1776 colonists asserted
their independence from the British
they
between
connection
and
that
all
from
British Crown,
the
to
States,
.
V
Continental Congress accepted Thomas
Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of
ought to be, free
right
,
Interpretation— See Page 4
FREEDOM ON THE LINE:
RISK OF REBELLION
News 11 n e
In accordance
r,„,
e/
N_(
Declaration
MIS
DAY---
1
mik
.
the0!
Receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum
that
who first protested
for mankind."
Jefferson,
should be
there
special
a
to write the constitution,
drafts
arrived late and primarily
that
judiciary and
to the
relating
the western lands. The constitution
adopted
as
republican
a
establishes
government for Virginia, composed
restricted
a governor with sharply
powers elected annually by the legislature, an executive council, a bicameral legislature in which the lower
of
house is
and
be predominant,
to
a
Upon signing the Dedaration of Independence,
of
to be the first governor
of Virginia.
reelected
and
again
declined
Continued
Patrick
chooses
Commonwealth
was
in
in
r
So—
hyperbole?! No, it was not, because the signers knew full well that once they
this
was
ated their own black list for the British government. Perhaps Benjamin Franklin summed
it up best
he said, " We must all
when
separately."
In an effort to protect
hang
Or most assuredly
together.
from retaliation, it
the signers
shall all
wake of George Washington's victories at' Ilenton and Princeton— that Congress authorized
with the
printing of the Declaration
signers'
included.
names
and
1777
and
1784
reelection
the
Henry
1778,
1785.
He
through
gained
was
piece of parchment.
a
would be
Independence
only through
won
a
long, bloodybattle of winters and summers of despair and starvation.
g
John Adams
for many
spoke
it will cost
treasure
to
us
all the gloom I
Yet through
is worth all the
is
This
means.
rays
day
our
well
am
aware
of the toil and blood and
and support
declaration,
this
the
see
I
he said"
when
maintain
and defend these
of ravishing light and glory. I
of deliverance."
can
see
states.
end
that the
Submitted by Nancy Milton and Phil Shultz]
in 1786.
page 2
on
L'
'
_
t
hang
until Jan. 18, 1777— in the
not
was
we
The men in Philadelphia certainly were not naïve enough to believe that independence
Convention
Henry
required
words
had put pen to paper they had committed treason. In essence these men had actually cre
June 29:
The
f
Jefferson' s final
Thomas
y
f:
everyone to" mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
the
judiciary.
separate
L1
RISKY BUSINESS
influenced the preamble and those
sections
Common Sense
Paine,
Source: Thomas
convention
sent several
_
THE REVOLUTION IN
NORTH AMERICA
June/ July/ August 1776
June 4: Tivo thousand British troops under
General Clinton and nine warships
under Admiral Sir Peter Parker arrive
off Charleston,
hopes
June 12: Congress
Political
f
A
SNAPSHOT
rr
They often critiqued
political leadership and con
cartoons.
f
t
2. 5
million
people
be
"'
b
and
'
s
Bay,',
,
A
40/
Most
were
slaves
held
rdR
yr
by
i
y
x,
New York'
14%
s
ti
population:
New New Jerseys
Rhode
r4P,„.• ,f"
s
population:
a,
nearly every
or
indirectly
a
W
American
benefited
directly
S
1 pp
•it I11!
;
from it."
Gordon Wood.
A
l
The American
History, pg.
I1. i ,
1+,(
56-
57]
I! i'
ill
t
t
I
1 itl
nhr
q
1 ,
r' ..
i
1,
I
I
I.i,1'
III„
Il ! ';;
1
p',
1;;,.
4111
1, .;'
011,'r 1
l
colony'
Tea Act. To the
troops.
Aug. 22: The British disembark 15, 000
troops on LongIsland,
y„
inforcements to Long Island.
Port Bill. A pot spilling,
has rolled down the steps
America.
P'
about
Island.
1, 300.
Y .
1111.
1
N
1. ,,
III
r
s'
p
in Town and
CountryMagazine
9
England, December
British
compared
TWo
to Brooklyn
Engraver unknown;
published
10, 000
Continental
troops
on
casualties
to
the
American
were
about
Continentals'
generals
were
captured. The Americans were pushed
America in Flames
r
sends re
Aug. 27: Some 20, 000 British forces attack
400,
q ii,;,; 11
days, Washington
gt
Y
Long Island, N. Y. in the Battle of Long
i1'
t
1,
N.Y. Over the
Minister, holds the Bos- .
beneath
li'
1 1
I '
re-
on Staten Island, N. Y. with about 9, 000
nexPseveral
ton
i//
4i``,
i,
to the
s
i
I r I' II
w,
1
Revolution:
1'
l'
1
I
`„,,,
pv
to the
years.
July 2: General Howe lands unopposed
Lord North, the British
tea
r
gain control of Charleston are defeated.
Prime
#
AIL
national institution, and
white
k
<
June 28: Attempts by British forces to
right,
9
1
E
0
i'
was
4/
y
\.,
k- `
1'
Slavery
"
80, .!
47,_
f
6-,/
enslaved
6%
i t,
1
g
Bay,"
refers
sistance
r//
G /%
y
4 ''
h,
'\
population:
enslaved
Island'
,,
I+
1,, } "`
enslaved
is depicted
'` ing bellows over the f
ire. Man
sfield' s bellow " Massachusetts
,,
i; l y
h
l
8%
p
s
relation
clouds above America pump-
r
s',
BUT
• .,
i
z =
in
America
Chief Justice Mansfield, Britoat
ish politicians,
float in the
p
c
'`
Southerners
ica duringthe Revolution, with 32, 000
men encamped on Staten Island, N. Y.
P
plight
of
to Great
the
upon
bein 9This ended the British effort to launch
engulfed
in fl
flames. Lord Bute and Lord
a southern invasion for nearlythree
F -:
y
off
the single largest military force in Amer-
corn-
as a woman
4r•,
y
of population
p p
a
'• ,::
i\
slaves:
Howe arrives
satire
particular
Britain.
f
Virginia had the most
June 25: Gen. William
or
America
, ;
*'
1,
g,
the
sentiments.
pro- British
either
ments
h
f
children
resolves to establish
of War and Ordnance.
Sandy Hook, N.J., with a small British
force. By Aug. 12, however, it would be
veyed
e1 ',
1
500, 000 enslaved
men, women,
1
y
r
cc
'`
17
4
Q`'
One Fifth-
ram, .. ,„
i
Board
This
i
1776]
the St.
pro- American
q
POPULATION [
fore
of today' s editorial
were
satires
runners
ter'
AMERICAN
TOTAL
of controlling
Lawrence valley
7.-_-____—_,___,------- =
TODAY
S. C.
June 8-9 After retreating from Quebec,
Americans attack heavily reinforced
Three Rivers, halfway between Montreal
and Quebec, and are defeated, ending
American
VIRGINIA
'
1774
Heights.
Aug. 29- 30: Washington
preserves
the re-
mainder of his troops on Long Island by
to New York City.
a night withdrawal
�z
June, July, August 2005
8. ''. `
t.
NEWS
k:
7
NEWS
4;,
PATRICK HENRY
c,
On June 29,
1776
Fifth
the
DUNE 29, 1776
x
s
Virginia
VIRGINIA' S CONSTITUTION;
J
ELECTED GOVERNOR
Q'
j
THE
V
Convention
CONSTITUTION
OR
FORM
elected Patrick Henry the first
of Virgovernor of the Commonwealth
Constitution that had
ginia. The Virginia
RESOLVED BY THE DELEGATES
just been adopted established
TIES AND CORPORATIONS
form
of
legislature
charged
was
republican
powers.
On July 6 Henry was
when he took the
ernor
elected
I A. B.
the
inaugurated
govoath:
following
governor of Virginia,
thereof, do sol-
emnly promise and swear, that I will,
best of my skill and judgment,
said
the
execute
faithfully,
favour,
of my power, support,
and defend the Common-
maintain,
and the
in the said
my continuance
shall be limited
by
is
office
from
recover
Page,
the
retired
he
in Hanover
bout of
a severe
and
be taxed
prived
all power is vested
derived
from, the
magistrates
and at all times
or
the
Forms of Government,
his
to
County
to
John
shall
and,
these
Dedara-
nity
indefeasible
25,
1776.
it, in such Manner
Right to
Article
entitled
ments
but
That
IV.
to
Man,
no
or
exclusive
Britain
and
Ireland,
and
elector
intrusted
of
with
the
of Men,
set
or
is
Emolu-
separate
neither
Magistrate,
of
Legislator,
executive
from
the
Judicative;
and
separate
and
and that the
thereof may be restrained from
by feeling and participating
Oppression,
Burthens of the People,
the
fixed
at
Periods,
Station,
should
they
be reduced
to
a
private
into that Body from which
return
hath
Man
adopted, and in compliance with a recom-
mendation of the general Congress, do
ordain and declare the future form of government
to be as followeth:
department, shall be separate and distinct,
so
that
neither
exercise
the
powers
prop
erly belonging to the other: nor shall any
person exercise the powers of more than
demand
one of them,
of his Accusation, to
nature
of Virginia
The legislative, executive, and judiciary
criminal
or
Right to
a
and representatives
with the Accusers and Witin his Favour,
at the same time; except
that
the Justices of the County courts shall be
eligible to either House of Assembly
The
legislative
shall
be
formed
of two
distinct branches, who, together, shall be a
complete Legislature. They shall meet once,
or oftener, every year, and shall be called,
The General Assembly of Virginia. One of
himself;
these shall be called, The House of Delegates,
cannot
that
Man be deprived
no
except
Liberty
the
[
by
of his
of the Land,
the Law
or
Note: These protections were not given to enslaved people in Virginia as they would continue
to be tried in lesser Courts of Oyer and Terminer
benefit
and consist of two Representatives, to be
for each county,...
annually, of such
men as actually reside in, and are freeholders of the same, or duly qualified according
chosen
Judgment of his Peers.
of a jury.]
to law, and also of one Delegate
or Repre-
sentative, to be chosen annually for the city
of Williamsburgh, and one for the borough
Article XII. That the Freedom of the Press
of Norfolk,
is
such other cities and boroughs. .. .
of the greatest Bulwarks
and can never be restrained but
of Liberty
by despotic
one
Governments.
Article
which
That
XVI.
we
Religion,
to
owe
of
Manner
Powers of the State should be
Members
or
hereditary.
Article V. That the legislative,
distinct
ought
We, the delegates
of the good people of Virginia, having
maturely considered the premises, and
viewing with great concern the deplorable
conditions to which this once happy country must be reduced, unless some regular,
adequate mode of civil polity is speedily
be found guilty, nor can
he be compelled to give Evidence against
without the
descendible,
being
Offices
Judge to be
1‘
most
Consideration
which not
the
judged
Privileges from the Community,
of Public Services,
or
in
shall be
as
and
abolish
or
alter,
public Weal.
to the
conductive
inalienable,
reform,
by
a
Consent he
of the Comum
purposes, a Majority
hath an indubitable,
bound
nor
speedy Thal by an impartial Jury
of his Vicinage, without whose unanimous
any Government
inadequate or contrary to
be found
elected,
so
whenever
the
P
COUN-
OF VIRGINIA
tyranny, by putting his negative on laws
the most wholesome and necessary for the
public good. . .
Consent
call for Evidence
to
and to
of producing the greatest Degree of
Happiness and Safety, and is most effectually
secured against the Danger of Maladministration,
Cause and
nesses,
is best which is
that
a
be confronted
capable
malaria.
Henry, however, did proclaim
tion of Independence on July
Prosecutions
and Security of the People, Nation,
community, of all the various Modes and
or
for public Uses
or that of their
Property
Article VIII. That in all capital
ought to
or
de-
or
any law to which they have not, in like
Manner, assented, for the public Good.
to them.
amenable
cannot
own
Representatives
in, and
people,
their trustees and ser-
are
of their
without their
tection,
governor ( President of
took over his responsibilities.
Council),
of Suffrage,
be, instituted for the common Benefit, Pro-
lieutenant
as
have the Right
Article III. The Government is,
law and the consti-
thereafter
Representatives of the People,
as
in Assembly, ought to be free; and that all
Men, having sufficient Evidence of permanent common
Interest with, and Attach-
Community,
vants,
So help me God.
Hemmings Statutes, 9, vii, 119.
Shortly
serve
when
ment to, the
that
tution.
home at Scotchtown
of which,
State of Society, they candivest their
a
consequently
to which I have been
government,
elected, at the several periods to which
AND REP-
exercise of the kingly office in this government, hath endeavoured to prevent, the
again
Article VI. That Elections of Members to
have
any compact, deprive,
Article II. That
do solemnly promise and swear, that
will peaceably and quietly resign the
I
Rights,
any Part of the former Mem
eligible, or ineligible, as the
or
may direct.
Laws
and
all
bers to be
Nature
by
are
which
and possessing property, and pursuing and
obtaining happiness and safety.
and that law and justice, in mercy, be
executed in all judgments. And lastly,
I
into
enter
by
men
independent,
cies
the
as
originally taken, and the Vacanbe supplied by regular Elections, in
were
they
posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life
and liberty, with the means of acquiring
observed,
duly
all
and
inherent
not,
privileges, and will constantly endeavour that the laws and ordinances
of
commonwealth be
That
they
constitu-
the same,
and protect the
people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises, and
the
free
certain
of
tion
I.
equally
to the utmost
wealth of Virginia,
by
made
good
Article
particularly, I will
or
affection,
law, without
to
AND
same into a detestable and insupportable
A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
pertain to them and their posterity,
basis and foundation of government.
and
diligently
office
according
VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
people of Virginia in the exercise
of their sovereign powers, which rights do
to the
OF
TO
OF THE SEVERAL
Hanover, heretofore
the
representatives
AGREED
Whereas George the third, King of
Great
a
governor
have greatly reduced
would
who
annually
to elect
WAS
RESENTATIVES
with a bicameral
government
and a separate
judiciary. The
legislature
by
a
GOVERNMENT
the
or
Creator,
our
it,
discharging
Duty
and
the
be directed
can
and Conviction, not by
only by Reason
Force or Violence; and therefore, all Men
are
entitled to the free Exercise of Religion,
according to the Dictates of Conscience;
and that it is the mutual Duty of all to
practice Christian Forebearance, Love, and
Charity, toward each other.
and a Representative
for each of
The other shall be called The Senate,
and
consist of twenty- four members, of whom
thirteen shall constitute a House to proceed
on business; for whose election, the different
counties shall be divided into twenty-four
districts; and each county of the respective
district, at the time of the election of its
Delegates,
shall vote for one Senator,
who is
actually a resident and freeholder within the
district, or duly qua ified according to law,
and is upwards of twenty- five years of age;
and the Sheriffs of each county, within five
days at farthest, after the last county election
in the district, shall meet at some convenient
place, and from the poll, ...
WHEEL HORSE OF REVOLUTION
Newsline
Continued
July
from
page 1
4 the Continental
July
accepted
The
official
burg
on
18
Henryodaimed
ry,
Cary family
Williamsburg,
the
take
an
hour
to
the
as
herents off Gwynn'
s
little
the
Brit-
loyalist ad-
s
Island, only 200
yards from the mainland. For the
month Dunmore' s fleet cruised
burning
and terrorizing
water
through
next
the
the
one
area
and provisions...
the
Virginia
Capes
and reached New York
plants-
in search
He
on
by Aug.
sailed
Aug.
14.
5
than
Mason. In
of the
that
of the
appears
Journal
of Jefferson,
a
more
Henry,
member
of correspondence.
committee
m
on
from the
10 times
1773 he became
committee
chairman
of the
whole
As
at
Fifth Virginia Convention in 1776, Cary
reported the resolutions
instructingthe Virp
the
ginia delegates in Philadelphia to propose
independence. He also chaired the committee to
River,
Cary served
committees
of the House of Burgesses
a
only
drive
ish and Lord Dunmore'
Potomac
legislative
frequently
gunners
Archibald
of the Stamp Act. His name
in the index of the revolutionary
or
than
on
time
Commonwealth
of
write
who
erected Wil
meeting of Virginia merchants,
and threatened with tar and feathers those
County,
and later resident at" AmpSouthside plantation downriver
thill," his
he
was
Cary
from Richmond,
25.
July
of
for his short fuse. It
today. Born 1730 into
of builders or" undertakers"
the
new
the
9:
American
for Archibald
is commemorated
Williams-
19, and
is inaugurated
of
same
Chesterfield
exercised at present; and each House shall
enjoying the great respect of his
contemporaries,
Archibald Cary was known
Besides
liamsburg' s" liberty pole" in front of the King' s
Arms Tavern
during the November 1774
reached
on
Henry
first governor
of Virginia.
of
name
important
Patrick
tion
whose
from
Street in Richmond
6:
more
burgess
Cary,
Jefferson.
or
Patrick
Declaration
the
didn' t do the
irascibility
Thomas
news
July
governor,
July
by
Congress
of Indepen-
Dedaration
the
dence drafted
July
If Patrick Henry' s fiery temper helped fix
his name in posterity, one can wonder why
4:
On
The right of suffrage in the election of
members for both Houses shall remain as
a constitution
for the
and
a
declaration
commonwealth.
Williamsburg
who were
loath to
dation. Outraged
the
sign
Continental
of the city, fearing
insisted that
residents
loss of the business of the
Asso
season,
remove the tar, feathers, and
pole.
Patrick Henry' s biographer, William Wirt,
recounted an altercation
between Archibald
Cary
Cary and Patrick Henry' s step- brother, John
Syme, during the first meeting of the new
legislature
in
1776. In
response
by
some
in
Williamsburg
to
legislators
a
the
whispered
that
the
fall
of
suggestion
new
governor
Henry be given emergency, dictatorial powers,
Caryis said to have
Syme in the
the
with the
I
wishes
lobby of
following: "
to be Dictator.
accosted
Colonel
House of Delegates
told your brother
Tell him from me that
am
At
the day of his appointment shall be the day
convening of the new legislature in the
fall of 1776, Cary' s colleagues
unanimously
of his death— for he shall feel my dagger in
his heart before the sunset of that day."
rights
new
the
elected him president of the Senate,
tion he held until his death in 1786.
a
posi-
Submitted
by
Robert Doares]
choose
its own
Speaker,
appoint
its own
officers, settle its own rules of proceeding,
and direct writs of election, for the supply
g intermediate vacancies.
All laws
shall originate
in the House
of
Delegates, to be approved of or rejected by
the Senate,
or to be- amended,
with consent
of the House of Delegates; except money
bills, which in no instance shall be altered by
the Senate, but wholly approved or rejected
A
Governor,
or chief
magistrate,
shall
be chosen annually by joint ballot of both
Houses (
to be taken
in each House
respec
tively) deposited in the conference room;
the boxes examined jointly by a committee
of each House, and the numbers severally
reported to them, that the appointments
may be entered ( which shall be the mode
of taking the joint ballot of both Houses,
mall cases) who shall not continue in that
office longer than three years successively.
nor be eligible, until the expiration of four
years after he shall have been out of that of
fice. An adequate, but moderate salary shall
be settled on him, during his continuance
in office;
and he shall, with
the advice
of a
Council of State, exercise the executive powContinued
on
page 4
�June, July, August 2005
PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM
THE DECLARATION OF
EXHIBIT
EXHIBIT
INDEPENDENCE AND THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The
and Jerry
Pat
Epstein American
B.
THE DECLARATION
History Document Collection is an important set
of historical documents that furthers the understanding of the founding principles that shaped
this
Highlights include
nation.
a
rare
The
t
1
surviving
facsimile of the Declaration of Independence by William J. Stone ( 1823), a set of
autographs
of all the signers of the Declaration
of Independence, and a collection of documents
signed by presidents of the United States up to,
and including, Ronald Reagan.
parchment
This
11
tiEll
govern themselves:
Written to explain why the American
s
4
0
out the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Epof Los Angeles, Ca.
j-
f
i
people had taken the extraordinary step
of declaring independence from Great
Britain and forming a new nation, the
declaration' s universal message of equality
spoke to the founding fathers' generation
I
THE STONE DECLARATION'
Now
Dewitt Wallace
that the
Arts Museum
tive
has opened " Principles
of Freedom," Jan K. Gilliam, Manager
Exhibit
Planning,
with
about the exhibit.
us
shares
of
The exhibit fea-
sampling of documents that bear
of the Declarathe signatures
of signers
tures
a
of Independence,
tion
No Stamp
played
and
to
as
a
examples
of
bringing
in
a role
need for the declaration
most
such
artifacts
Act" teapot,
that
weapons
the
a
and
climax,
a rare
1823 parchment
for the Declaration of Indepen-
importantly
facsimile
dence
William
by
All
Stone.
J.
into context and supported
are
put
panels
by
provide the history and legacy of one
of the primary icons of American history.
asked what the exhibit' s biggest
impact
on
panded
on
guests might be, Gilliam
several levels of meaning:
Then
fascinated
are
by
it si g ned?
was
signatures
People
there?
are
know
want to
whyour
y
of which
know the
The
ries." (
be people who
of it. Feature films such
movie'
s
it' s fiction,
although
in the facts
behind
written
the
involves
premise
buried treasure
a
will
Treasure,
interest
stir
to
history
National
as
stoclues
back of
the
on
Declaration of Independence.)
the
This exhibit helps place the document
in a context that has been lost. " It was a
treasonous
ple
act to
going out
were
Signing
the
took
delegates
disagreed
refused
to
this
was
with
A
sign.
statement."
deliberate
a
accomplish.
to
months
Peo-
limb, and isolating
a
making
Declaration
act that
and
on
by
themselves
document.
this
sign
A
few
document
the
bogus
email
has
circulated for years regarding the supposed
heavy price" paid by signers of the declaAlthough
ration.
truth
the
the
as
melodramatic
is not quite as
legend, excerpt
urban
from the exhibit' s text panels
veryreal risk delegates faced.
g
they
certain
these
dozen
men
individual
and
uses
a
that
new,
have
been
low- level
achieves
clear
these
tecting
that
show
be
effect
and
hath
to
to
long
for
light
suffer,
while
forms to which they
long
a
under
duty,
of
titude
and
which
connec
too
have
them,
as
we
Enemies in War,
to
appealing
of the world for the
of
of
the
rec-
and of Right
good People
publish and
the
solemnly
United Colonies
That these
declare,
Representatives
intentions, do, in the Name,
our
ought
to
are,
be Free and Inde-
usur-
States; that they are Absolved
pendent
to the British Crown,
from all Allegiance
same
and that all
them
them
political
is and
be totally dissolved; and that as
Independent States, they have
War,
levy
Alliances,
and to do all
Peace,
conclude
establish
Commerce,
Acts and Things which
other
Independent States may of right do. And
for the support of this Declaration, with a
them to alter
necessity which constrains
their former Systems of Government. The
firm
of the present King of Great Britis a history of repeated injuries and
reliance
history
Providence,
ain
other
our
protection of divine
mutually pledge to each
the
on
we
Lives,
our
Fortunes
and
sacred Honor.
object
Y)
x
Y
s
enthusiasm
and
lighting
2
r,
x
01ere'
and the
evolution
that
profrom the
brighter
by
to
her
for this
She
exhibit
spoke
of
declaration,
and distribution
but
ultimately
earlier
statement
copies,
she
of the
came
about
the
hopes guests will take away
from this exhibit. " The ' why' behind the
thing
I
and
communist
Square.
INDEPENDENCE
After weeks of drafting, editing,
and debate,
adopted
our
the Continental
the Declaration
Congress
of Indepen-
dence on July 4, 1776. Congress then
ordered that it immediately be printed
in
the
form
of
broadsides—
single
sided, printed sheets— and distributed
throughout
the
nation.
Late
that
af-
ternoon a copy of the document was
taken to the nearby print shop of John
Dunlap, Congress' official printer.
Now called " Dunlap Broadsides," the
copies were delivered the next morn-
ing. In the days that followed, John
Hancock
sent copies
to state
assem-
blies, councils, and safety committees
with the request that it be proclaimed
in such a Mode,
as that the People
may be universally informed of it."
Among those distributed was a copy
was sent to Williamsburg.
On Friday, July 19, 1776, the Vir-
ginia Gazette briefly noted the adoption
of the
Declaration
by Congress.
the Council
of Independence
On Saturday, July 20,
of the State of Virginia
or-
dered that the full text be published,
and it appeared on the second page
in
John
Dixon
and
William
Hunt-
er's Virginia Gazette that same day.
Dixon
and
Hunter
had
established
the newspaper a year earlier with the
motto: " Always for Liberty and
the
Good."
applause"
The
declaration
was
PRINCIPLES
OF FREEDOM:
INDEPENDENCE
AND
THE
OF
THE DECLARATION
AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
the
Continental
declaration
engrossed
celebrated
The
Founding
status
enslaved,
were
and
the
new
the
separate
the
ever
women
Americans
out-
Americans
(
In
nation' s
create
free and equal society
birth, it has served to
a
to
the right to
decided
republic.
did not
from their
the
rights
Thirteenth
world,
by
vote
vote
the
vote,
and in
Act allowed Native
in federal
in
individual
this
States. In 1920,
the right to
won
1924 the Citizenship
ma-
remained
peoples
1865,
slavery in the United
political
vast
In
since.
Amendment to the Constitution ended
1776,
In
same
most Native
if the declaration
grounds for
the
men,
inspire those exduded
men
all Ameri-
rights.
Americans
considered
Yet,
at
as
of African
jority
side
believed
Fathers
did not enjoy the
civil
or
phrase " all
did not imply
should have equal
women
the
equal"
created
are
state
elections,
elections
was
states).
country and around
language
of equality
the
ex
pressed in the dedaration has become
the
universal
credo
19, 1776,
Congress
also
ordered the declaration to be printed
on parchment and signed by every
member of Congress. On Aug. 2
it was recorded in the journal of
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
she
hope they get the context back."
Submitted by Todd Norris]
on July 25.
On July
while
cause
of the original
evolution
confronting
proclaimed publicly in Williamsburg,
n
technique
originals
contagious.
work-
to the Soviet Union,
students
Public
4
the shipyard
DECLARATION OF
between
connection
and the State of Great Britain,
contract
=
our
They
hold
the
by Authority
full Power to
I)
kin-
common
interrupt
of these Colonies,
and to provide new Guards for
future security.
Such has been the patient sufferance
of these Colonies; and such is now the
direct
women
PUBLICIZING THE
here.
usurpations,
and
Supreme Judge
their
in
We
us.
Assembled,
Congress,
that
Free and
having
opposed
slavery,
Exhibit: Title Wall]
at-
States of America, in General
United
ought to
all
speech,
tanks in Tiananmen
have conjured
we
correspondence.
ment,
usurpations,
over
our
these
Separation,
off such Govern-
to throw
ties
inevitably
and
Despotism, it is their right,
absolute
the
by
We, therefore,
sufferable,
the
pursuing invariably
pations,
a design
Object evinces
to reduce
it is their
of
the
transient
and
against
have
of
in Peace Friends.
abolishing the
accustomed. But
abuses
We
time
settlement
hold the rest of mankind,
by
are
of
train
are
Chinese
of the circumstances
and
and
our
should
and
evils
than to right themselves
when
will dictate
established
Prague
consanguinity. We must, therefore, acqui
esce
in the necessity, which denounces
or
Happi-
and
Safety
A
been deaf to the voice of justice and of
such
on
them
emigration
would
Gov-
new
Have a Dream"
to extend an
jurisdiction
dred to disavow
all experience
accordingly
that mankind are more
dis-
shewn,
posed
cans
obvious
words.
their
changed
causes;
to
time
them
ends,
alter
its foundation
Prudence, indeed,
and
prepared
environments
visibility
valuable
and deterioration
Gilliam'
one
of these
it, and to institute
Governments
not
brethren.
from
and magnanimity,
rights,
of Govern-
Form
of the People
laying
our
tions
any
destructive
Right
a
light.
back
these
movement
by
injury.
is thus marked
tionist
We have appealed to their native justice
that
secure
Abraham
the aboli-
Address,"
where it was" received with universal
signatures
in acid- free
displayed
Stone
of
governed.
becomes
ness.
British
have reminded
that
with
among
and the pursuit of
whenever
to
our
them
unwarrantable
among Men,
their just powers from the con-
abolish
to
warned
instituted
of the
repeated
by
only
character
other
condition,
the
Rights,
are
of perspectives for signing. All the
documents
received in fairly good
were
is
by
equal,
Creator
their
to
range
fading
tions
self- evi-
be
to
created
are
Life, Liberty
are
of the Pat and
portion
Jerry B. Epstein American History Document Collection
on
display includes a
The
truths
unalienable
to the
speaks
these
endowed
are
whose
Petitions have
tempts by their legislature
dent, that all
ernment,
will be viewing the exhibit, Gilliam
knows they have all sorts of backgrounds,
least
hold
overcome
Nor have We been wanting in atten-
opin-
separation.
We
to
inspired
ers of Gdansk, protestors in the streets of
Our repeated
terms:
every act which may define a Tyrant, is
unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
they should
impel them to
which
nerationsg
words
seeking the vote, Martin Luther King's " I
Prince
that
requires
causes
Its
Lincoln's " Gettysburg
been answered
to
principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most
has
of individuals
diversity
the
it is the
who
the
the
likely
the
Considering
declare
also
nation
decent respect to the
a
ions of mankind
That
document."
this
them,
entitle
to
man
and
another,
of Nature and of Nature's God
the Laws
sent
trivia
How
with
them
oppression.
humble
people to
which have
among the powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which
deriving
of things like this. Who signed it?
When
connected
generations
r
In every stage of these Oppressions We
have Petitioned for Redress in the most
events,
one
bands
political
Tyranny
absolute
future
h
llowed
States. To prove this, let Facts
be submitted to a candid world . . .
assume
ment
the
for
necessary
the
Governments
Stone copy figures into the story.
There' s also the trivia around it.
People
dissolve
Happiness.— That
how the
is
there
ex-
itself is
First, seeing the document
important.
it becomes
an
aas
these
over
in the Course of human
When
of
the establishment
States of America
13 United
the
text
that
When
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
The unanimous
Declaration of
thoughts
some
OF INDEPENDENCE
THE DECLARATION
Decora-
has
docu-
il
twould
IMI
IVera
in which free people ou d henceforth
e ceforth
stein
HOPE BEHIND THE HYPE
of Independence
as the most important
ment in human history. Here, in the memorable language of the famous preamble,
110 words fatally undermined the political
basis of the old order and proclaimed a new
E
would not be possible with-
exhibition
Dedaration
been described
of freedom.
Congress
that " the
of independence
and compared
being
at the table
was signed."
Following the War of 1812 and
with the approaching 50th anniversary in 1826, a fresh appreciation
of the
the
nation,
Declaration
where
swept
it was
across
viewed
as
a symbol of patriotism for a new
generation. Several facsimiles of the
declaration were produced between
1818 and 1823; chief among them
was the official government copy by
William
J. Stone.
Submitted
by
Robert Doares]
�June, July, August 2005
ayr
C- ""
f
i
oi,
RY•
st'
ICr
1 If
EXHIBIT
e
u
EXHIBIT
a
T
ill
it
l
S
i
SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION
AMERICAN PARADOX: FREEDOM AND SLAVERY
OFINDEPENDENCE
Continental
of the 13
ment
from
nation,
Congress
was the governand, later, of the new
colonies
1775- 1788. The 56
men
Richard
who
Lee
of Independencewho
were
made
prosperous, and respected in
conservative
their
tors,
Merchants, planters, docmost were aged between
communities.
and lawyers,
30 and 50 years of age. The youngest was 26;
the oldest was 70. All knew that by attaching
their names to what the British considered a
document, they risked their lives,
treasonable
and property.
Only John Hancock
liberty,
of Massachusetts,
of the Continental
Charles Thomson
Secretary
as
Congress, and
signed
first
the
copy on July 4. This was sent immediately to
the official printer for Congress to be produced
for
distribution.
wide
happened
What
original is
to the
Philwere
Aug. 2, 17
n
not
document
during
the
What did the delegates
the
were
pens
with? Quill
taken from
were
shapedwithm
fowl, such as geese, and
knife into pens. One hundred ' best quills'
were
sold for 5s. Od. at the Williamsburg
la
ie
Printing Office. Writing
rying in a pocket.
If the patriots
be heroes. If the
suffer
successful,
they would
lost, they might well
and traitors. As Benja
rebels
famously
remarked to his fellow
some
did
Elizabeth,
of 1776,
for the
an
as
Francis
and his
in the
in the
The town and
wilderness.
country homes of Lyman Hall of Georgia
were burned and his property confiscated
by
British
the
to
for Virginia's
and did not
the
new
government
document until late
the
sign
in 1778. Hall and his
fled
family
Connecticut for the duration
of the
war.
and
dence,
and Concord,
These
a
month later,
delphia
and
Within
he
sonally aware of the
Adams commitment
falter. He
need
for
grounds it would
divide Britain, stimulate
colonies,
for the Revolution,
He
of
draft
to
Declaration
the
ability, fighting
of it," Jefferson
to James
wrote
our
for
word
Thomas
five-
man
tion
Jefferson
us
We therefore
men....
natural right,
our
to
be set at
but
The
must assert
we
every imposition that
till custom and use
our
rights
can
or
recounted
three
John
reason—"
You
later
why he proposed
Declaration. His
the
write
Virginian ought to
it
Adams
reasons
Jefferson should
first
the
are
at the
appear
and
Virginian
a
a
head of this
Congress much amended his draft
was
adopted,
South Carolina)
using as headquarters.
Most of the members
were
of Congress
formally
but three did not
all. Robert R. Livingston(
sign
of the
a member
on
Aug.
2
with his
Born into
left Philadelphia to participate in the formaLion of the New York state
government.
Subsequently, he was elected chancellor of
New York and, in 1789, he administered
presidential oath of office
ton. Believing the colonies
to
fight
successful
a
to
John
war,
fight
the
British
in
yet ready
Dickinson
Declaration of
the
Nevertheless,
as
a
colonel of
he led troops
Philadelphia Battalion,
the First
to
not
were
of Pennsylvania opposed
Independence.
the
George Washing-
New
northern
John
Hancock
and
drawn into
the wealthiest
was
England
in New
Harvard- educated,
before
political
the
however, and refused to take the oath of al
legiance
to
King George III
took Philadelphia
Why
the
British
later.
months
the Declaration
was
Washington
sign
a
delegate
to
the
broke
him
Continental
army
when
in 1775, Congress apcommanderin- chief of the
out
Army,
the
and he
Declaration
was
with
was
adopted.
the
Correspondence,
1651- 1827,
Courtesy, Libraryof Congress
g
signed
rebellion
He
thur Middleton
from
ardent patriot
of the imperial
was
elected
a
as a
delegate
result
Hancock'
was
Con-
gress, and then was chosen as its president.
The first to sign the Declaration of Independence, Hancock is said to have remarked, "
write
his
so
that
a
break
spectades."
being
1776- 77, and
to
I
the
army, he
to
raise
1777
for independence
at
in Charles
Harrison
a siege
month,
direct
line.
fifth
the
held
He
a
Benjamin
in
1775,
from
and
name
the
1791,
serving as Speaker.
Moreover, he represented Virginia as a del1774
to
Continental
to the
1778, signed
and
Independence,
Congresses from
the
Declaration
presided
the
Franklin ( Pennsylvania)
over
of
its de-
British Army
in 1780, his home
James River
plundered.
was
At 70, Franklin
from
was
the oldest
delegate
American celebrity. His
loyal servant of the Crown
an
patriot took place in England,
he had been trying to reconcile
the
George
on
the
Wythe ( Virginia)
1726?- 1806
Wythe
rose
to prominence as a lawyer in
Elected to the House of Bur-
to American
Williamsburg.
gesses, he resigned upon becoming clerk of
the House. At the Continental Congress he
with its American colonies. He
government
gave up his quest, returned to Philadelphia,
and took a seat in the Continental Congress
was
in 1775. He
to
was
appointed
to the
Commit-
effective
help
tee
of Five and to support Jefferson in draft-
missed
ing
and
proval
defending
the
Dedaration.
behind the
independence.
Having
prepare
the
vote
of the
a
state
scenes
in support of
returned
to Virginia
constitution,
for independence
Declaration.
He
of
Lachlan
Mclntosh' s Continental
A legislative
investigation
but McIntosh
cleared
denounced
him
and early death make his signatures the
rarest of all signers.
subsequent
frequently
egate
Speaker
Gwinnett mortally. Gwinnett' s short career
in
Virginia House of Delegates until his death
in
elected
publicly. Both were wounded in the ensuing duel, McIntosh not seriously but
1749 to its dis-
in
was
militia. His expedition to capture St. Au-
troops.
1706- 1790
Congress and
Gwinnett
gustine failed, partly from lack of coopera-
in the Virginia
seat
the Declara-
tion, and was given command of the state
Benjamin
of that
and signed
mittee that drafted the state' s first constitu-
alle-
Berkeley, his father' s plantation
City County, Virginia,
to Con-
the Georgia Assembly, headed the com-
Gwinnett,
was
a delegate
tion on Aug. 2. Returning home later that
1726?- 1791
Born
became
gress in 1776. He supported the resolution
Harrison ( Virginia)
invaded Virginia
to
Gwinnett
Con-
refused to take the oath of
bates in Congress. When
Liberty."
in
Gwinnett ( Georgia)
1735?—
present on
He served
was
the Declaration.
sign
Benjamin
solution
supported the military effort by
troops " for the Defence of
nevertheless
American
command
to
chosen
helping
Button
served in the Continental
complete
House of Burgesses
George III may read without
Bitterly disappointed by not
to Philadelphia
who,
from Britain.
advocated
s
of the Sugar and
Continental
to the
re-
he returned
crisis,
an
beginning
the
tion with
was
because he
when
razed someone else to sign for him.
of the wealthiest families
one
where
of Independence?
First Continental Congress in 1774. When
fighting
pointed
fortune suffered
journey
didn' t George
Washington
when
and
merchant
war.
Jer-
sey. Thomas Willing, also from Pennsylvania,
voiced similar reasons. He was no loyalist,
General
upon
giance to the Crown, and was incarcerated
at St. Augustine, Fla., with 64 others.
1737- 1793
Stamp Acts, he still lived in luxury. He
He
Monticello, June 24, 1826
in the South Carolina Low Country, Ar-
Middleton
Massachusetts)
her delegates
for independence.
of
Thomas Jefferson Papers. Series I.
British forces in the spring of 1780. Captuned with the rest of the patriot garrison,
sented British taxation. Although
vote
mayor
Washington, D. C.
by
colleagues.
Committee of Five) urged postponement possibly because New York had not authorized
to
C. Weightman,
the fall, although it is possible that he autho-
Middleton
but the document
still bears
Boston- raised
signed the Declaration,
at
British
expression
Thomas Jefferson to
1742- 1787
John Hancock (
the
of his
and its
were the first
It is an eloquent
Roger
Arthur Middleton
(
suggested
which he suspected
example
Revolution
of Jefferson' s belief that the people are fully
capable of governing themselves.
submit
tame
us
to
people to throw off the shackles of oppression, but in time other peoples would also
assume the blessings and security of selfgovernment."
be heaped
make
in the defense of Charleston against
home,
a supreme
of the American
is arrived,"
crisis
he signed the document
own
"
paradox was a
not impossible,
task. Revolu-
his fortune supporting the Revolutionary War. When asked where to direct the
bombardment of the town in 1781, Nelson
his
to an
in honor of the fiftieth
message of hope. Americans
the American
from
on
vision
beg
freedoms,
our
2
American troops fire
in response
dence. His farewell to the nation, Jefferson' s
letter represents
liberty"'
Aug.
depleted
in
deprived of
gress
of Yorktown, Va.,
Nelson
24, 1826,
from the mayor of Washington
attend a celebration
natural right
a
the stamp of his genius. Though
frustrated with the edits made by Congress,
fall of Charleston
the
after
Thomas Jefferson wrote his last public
letter on June
or
to the
Dedara-
draft
of Independence.
before
imprisoned
3 Berlin, Many Thousands Gone, p. 220.
George Washington in August, 1774,
wrote
1743-
was appointed
to
committee
Jr., Edward Rutledge, and Arthur Middleton,
1780. Thomas
result
1826
business."
in
2
stated
have
we
being
without
independence. "
when
South Carolina delegates, Thomas Heyward,
were
end
Kaplan, The Black Presence in the Era of the
American Revolution, pp. 13- 15.
Jordan, White Over Black, p. 292.
leaders used the ubiquity of enslavement in America to bolster their demands
Madison
Jefferson ( Virginia)
as the
rule.
tionary
in 1783.
Thomas
other men
children
difficult,
He
with zeal and
for every
fearlessly
Court that
apprehend
fellow
our
Justifying
Commit-
the
by
obtain
may
and
support
document. "
the
freedoms
our
and attract European
appointed
was
Five to
British
1 Jordan, White Over Black, p. 292; Kaplan and
your Excellency and Honors will. . . . cause
an act of the legislation
to be passed that we
the
unite
and ideological
Enslaving Virginia Resource Book]
nature
white
The moral
anniversary of the Declaration of Indepen-
General
the
your petitioners
common with all
them
of Independence
Declaration
a
are,
m
invitation
to
war,
of the
Congress
law of
men
Most,
define
enslavement
of continued
of Indepen-
by
are
all
fr3
Gage and
"
independence did
to
persuaded
Colonists
so many
in
and gain grassroots support for independence) one needed to have a readily available and universally understood concept
aware
indeed
as
Ameri-
black." In May 1774, several enslaved men
from Boston brought a petition to Governor
per-
of
consequences
practical
the
on
in the
Even though
militia.
fully
was
free born,
of the
a captain
he
that" the
nies
war.
Congress.
informed
was
death of his brother, Elihu,
Massachusetts
of
ravages
Continental
the
in the Dedaration
how
theyhold
af thousandsze
symbolized
symbolized
As early as 1764, James
Otis noted in The Rights of the British Colo-
still in his mind
were
free-
upon
recognized,
quickly
asked
conundrum of maintaining a system of
oppression in a free country was less important than the motivational factor that
ing its freedom.
Lexing-
he departed for Phila-
when
months
the
view
images
painful
at
John Adams saddled his
horse and went to
was
while
of un- freedom.
of the paradox
created bya slaveholdingsocietydemand-
1735- 1826
of the battles
society founded
a
liberty
words
above
learning
(
from
harshly criticized, and ultimately justified
by the founders of this new nation.
When Thomas Jefferson penned the
August.
After
American
legal in each of the newly established
incongruity of maintain-
dom
foundation
North
the
United States. The
her
to
moment
Paine
them
hundreds
enslaved and the institution itself
was
was
autumnto
ordeal that contributed
home shortly before the British seized it. The
63- year- old man sent his children to relatives
hid
cans
Thomas
to enslave
pursuit
British rule, one out of every five Amen-
inde-
help lay
to
the
1775,
cans can " complain so loudly of attempts
Rights, that among
dedared their independence
colonies
In
Creator with
their
as the blacks we rule over with
nized the slippery slope of this argument.
that
r,
ing slavery in
adopted
was
a
cause.
imprisoned
for
resolution
equal,
slaves,
such arbitrary sway."2 Some quickly recog-
self-evident,
Liberty, and
Life,
Declaration
supported
burned,
was
the
by
unalienable
At the
at
often
was
be
to
created
are
endowed
pendence in Congress on June 7, 1776.
He returned
before the
to Williamsburg
tee
death less than three years later. In December 1776, John Hart of New Jersey fled his
and
introduced
Lee
allies.
suffer
he
senator,
As-
of Congress,
of controversy. In response
center
to
Y
P
instructions from the Virginia Convention,
most
hang together or
hang separately"
destined to hang
Lewis' New York home
States
in the General
member
the
not
were
assuredly we shall all
While none was
wife,
sembly
and United
car-
We must all
delegates,"
traitor,
could
for
convenient
cases
war was
fate of
the
Franklin
min
including
equipment,
ink and sand to blot the ink
quill,
the
be arranged in small
as a burgess
men
ofHthes pire
Throughout
Revolutionary.
of Virginia,
ton
the
months.
sign
Quills
choice.
his career
who
signed
are
certain
John Adams ( Massachusetts)
Those
day
following
that
on
present
all
they
subsequently
unknown.
A majority of the delegates in Congress
signed thethe Declaration of Independence in
signed
that
typical of those colonial gentry
the transition from Loyalist to
was
abject
hold these truths
Lee ( Virginia)
Henry
1733- 1794
si
signed the Declaration
ed
well educated,
Part I— Introduction
Wythe
and apmight have
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
(
Maryland) 1737- 1832
The
only
Roman
Catholic
signer,
Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a wealthy
Maryland landowner and businessman.
though
educated
in Europe,
Al-
his sympathies
were firmly with American independence.
Carroll actively participated in many political groups devoted to organizing and
governing the colonies as they became a
new country. He was present in Congress
on Aug. 2, 1776, to sign the Declaration of
Independence.
In recognition
of his war
service, Carroll was elected to honorary
membership in the Society of the Cincinnati, a group composed of former military
officers. The same year America marked
the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence, Carroll, as the last surviving
signer, celebrated his 90th birthday
Submitted by Rose McAphee)
�July, August
June,
3
2005
PREPARING FOR WAR IN NEW YORK
By July 3, about 9, 000 troops led by
Howe had landed
Gen. William
Island,
n
h adt
on
FORUM
hundreds
where
wel c ome them. Howe
o
1,"
Staten
on
of ' Ibries
and in the days
came
J/'
ever
130
including
sails,
and
warships
soxc
HAAT, Y r, c.,'. T
an
ashore
r,
i,
it ,, •/ ^-
soldiers—
and
20 frigates,
deployment
1,
J;
ito jtk
went
SUMMER FARMING
4¢
Tobacco:
1
10
by
4', .
i
1
than the
more
.-
I f.
i
-
i
a -
i
0
f • ••
t`,
I
b
making
it the largest, most costly British overseas
Wood, The American
Gordon
of- the- line
ships-
j
r .,!
w '
fully equipped, highly
professional British and
population of Philadelphia—
on Staten Island, supported
entire
s
i ',?.`
transports
command of the gen
under
eral' s brother, Adm. Richard Lord Howe. By
trained, thoroughly
German ( Hessian)
LIFE
p,
sw"
from England
mid- August, 32, 000
''`
3
up the Narrows
and Long Island,
British
more
of
' ,
j
following,
Staten Island
armada
'
himself
had gone ashore on July 2, the very day
that Congress had voted for independence,
between
c
G3D.
were
i
t•
Revolution: The HistoryBy contrast, theYork and army, gathered
American in Manin defense of
New York. A Modern Library Chronicles Book,
The Modern Library. 2002
It
was
a strange
had begun,
cans
that
one
face of it is
the
on
Ameri-
that
revolution
easily comprehended. A series of trade
and tax levies do not seem to add up to
justification for independence. There was
not
acts
a
of the
tyranny of history
that had so often driven desperate peoples
into rebellion. Yet by 1776 most Americans
none
legendary
agreed
with John Adams that they were
in the very midst of a Revolution, the most
and remarkable
of
compleat, unexpected,
How
any in the History of nations."
was it to be explained
and justified?
Americans
Those
what
had been
they
marvel
at the
through
out
immediate
an
depending
cause
ing
of Virginia,
with-
revolution "
much
without
Americans,
a
Because
the
reasoning."
Edmund Burke pointed out
as
if his
one
famous
misgovernment
augur
in
speeches
at
1775,
distance
a
and
snuff the approach
of tyranny
in every
tainted breeze," they anticipated grievances
even
before they actually suffered them.
Thus the American
seemed to be
conservative
has
Revolution
Yorker,
In
one.
days
of heroism go, it
third week of July
the
Independence
tal Congress,
Army,
approved
by
involved
was
with his British
exchange
Continen-
the
in
fastidious
a
counterpart,
Lord
Richard Howe. On July 14th, as the Royal navy
sent ship after ship into New York harbor, Howe
dispatched
with
York the 19th
day
trial of James
a
John
him
and
the
shore
s
to
most
he had brought
that
Hearing
officers.
on
of Washington'
three
were
Manhattan
on
of truce,
flag
letter from' Lord Howe to Mr. Washington,'
said James
After
rebuff..."
a
second foiled attempt
by
Howe' s
had intended to send. Soon
that Washington
hearing Paterson' s report, he informed
King's ministers that there was little hope
after
settlement
his
performed
McCullough
writes
32). The
of
short
Washington
war. '
perfection,' David
in 1776( Simon Er Schus
role
whole
to
a
a
serious
amounted
encounter
bit ofplayacting.
of
to
Yet
it
was
for
sort,
belonging
5
reason
Navy
scended
for
to
fear,
of the
long.
upon
as
the
that
III
whom
own
he could stand up to anybody
sent
deputy,
Paterson
against
them.
Washington'
later
HenryKnox,
had looked"
awe-
arms
at the
and first mentioned
Parish
County
ously and
s
the
republicanism
pages of Roman
as
as
that
if before
if he had sprung from
history"
Russia
Drab Coat, brown Linen
with Waistband, of
wean
calves,
arraigned he said he
was
Well
and for trial put himself upon
of the Court Whereupon
divers
James
in
and
sworn
heard
was
kill veal for sale,
demanded
eral petitions
from church
Virginia
said
A congregation
County
Baptists
being
on
Sentence
of death
permitted
conviction
aforesaid
and
said he had nothing besides what he had
before said Therefore It is Considered by the
by
the
petitioned
no
to
the
their
Convention
a
powerful
provided
they be
their
maintain
own
free
Sherif of this County on Frithe 20th day of September next and the
exercise"
apparent
House
Goal
of the County being insufficient the
said James is remanded to the keeper of the
mar
of
until
wording, did not become
the new
October, when
Delegates
Commonwealth
of
independent
the
of Virginia
met
in
Wil-
11
ram
2 -,..
/,
S!
i, •
g
t
k:
-
1
3
g .l,l,
i
r
J-
j164
'.
ventilation.
Gardening and
Food
Preservation
etc.
In hot weather, raw meat spoils rapidly and
so must be cooked and eaten up quickly,
thus only smaller cuts of meat are served
in summertime,
unless the whole animal
will be eaten in a day or two.
Seasonality in Building
Brickmaking: Making and burning brick;
problem with wet weather during drying of green bricks; in rural areas bricks
Bricklaying: Good months to work; bricks
need to be kept moist when laying
Mortar Manufacture: keep mortar wetter to
keep from drying out
Plastering: Need to keep surfaces wet during
dry season
Carpentry and Joinery: If working by day,
longer
hours;
15 hours
sun,
13 hours
work
Becoming AMERICANS TODAY
is a publication of the
Department
of Interpretive Training
''
J
l
Anne
Willis
Contributors:
Bob Doares, Jan Gilliam,
Carl Lounsbury, Rose McAphee,
Nancy Milton, Todd Norris,
Production:
i
Susan Q. Bruno, Copy editor
Diana Freedman, Production artist
a 2005 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
t
s
a
Furniture
Phil Shultz
T:"
1
removed and stored.
often moved to passage to enjoy cross
Editors:
al
I
curtains
Margot Crevieaux- Gevertz
i•..
d
Housekeeping
liamsburg for the first time.
t,...,•
ti
PRESERVATION
dissenters' petitions, inspired by article 16' s
"
the
i,
GARDENING/ FOOD
ministers
and that they could be
others,
t
willingness
against...
cause"
state
ried and buried without pay8ing the dergy
of other denominations. The fabled flood of
Neck until
he be dead and It is Ordered that Execution
day
common
of the old
of Prince William
enemy" [ Great Britain],
the
Court that he be hanged
kill
made in late summer
exer-
16, but not the
disestablishment
June 20, indicating
make
free
included "
article
church.
He
by
in
absolute
upon
seeking relief
for example.
tax
religion
pronounce
to
him
House
from dissenters
of the
of the said James if he had any
Court should not
against
majority of
of Bur-
the
the
Convention
of
cise"
say why the
proceed
be done
to
payments,
adopting on June 12, 1776 of the
of Rights by the Fifth
Virginia Declaration
the
him is alledged and it
to ships,
wool, separate sheep, choose cattle for
fattening, make butter; go fishing
artichokes,
The
On Con-
opinion
for sale
veal, and shoats for sale, sell
Make wine, sugar- preserve fruits, dry fruits
in oven because of humidity; picking and
drying of beans, carrots, onions, melons,
grievances. The committee also fielded sev-
thereof
the
1770s,
the
referred
said James is guilty
and form as in the Information
that
against
to
in his defence
sev-
in
Committee for Religion
came
gesses'
from Church of England parishioners, vesclergymen
tries, and
seeking redress of
witnesses
and
whereof It is the
court
manner
thing
Examined
into
petitions
thereof Guilty
the Judgment
not
has
RIGHTS AND RELIGION
and carry away against the
Dignity of the said Common-
being
He
in Gloucester County, and it is
DECLARATION OF
enter
take
And the said James
Kill beef
muttons,
NICHOLAS SCOUVEMONT
in the said Dwelling House then and there
found feloniously and burglariously
and
lighter Colour,
a
worn.
feloni-
scituate
August:
shall have TEN SHILLINGS Reward.
Value of twenty shillings each of the Goods
and Chattels of the said Serafino Formicola
wealth
he went
when
that way
probable he may be goneY
delivers the said Slave to me in Williamsburg
burglariously
and one [ g] uinea of the value of twenty
six shillings and three golden rings of the
did steal
on,
Dowlas Shirt much
a
young
something super- natural,' while the General
sat unfazed and spoke the language of liberty
and
white
eral Relations
of Bruton in
did break and
men
George
recounted
struck
he
for sale,
tilation. Mosquito netting added to bedsteads for protection from insects. Gauze
covers to protect looking glasses and
expensive pictures. Carpets and window
about
had
in this brief
drama not only to let Howe know
his
was dealing with but to show
gather
SUMMER
one
engaged
Washington
cider,
Livestock: June: Shear sheep, kill muttons
Hunter),
made;
and
said County of York the Dwelling House
of one Serafino Formicola in the said Parish
de-
remain
only
it, that it wouldn' t
Make
Doors and windows kept open for most ven-
the
combined Armyand
world' s
August:
peaches, make peach brandy
Inches high, black Complex-
6
or
Breeches,
August between the Hours of ten and
and
5
Feet
newborn
superpower
Pumpkins
Orchard:
20 Years of Age,
named BAGLEY,
away, a
to
of this In-
day
125.
ion, and well
of Cumberland
County
thirteenth
the
Gazette ( Dixon&
the
especially
coup try that, for all its bluster, wasn' tquite
sure it
really was a country and had plenty
of
Vegetables: Sow turnips, plant peas and potames, sow vegetables, weed peas and
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Negro
Man
P ya
playacting
g
a
sow,
July 20, 1776
twelve in the night of the same day with
above
emissary Lt. Col. James Paterson, the meeting with Washington "
swiftly reached an
impasse. But Howe received the message
ter; $
before
County
Negro Man Slave
a
ILesday
whole
had
bar Ed-
the
Court and gives them
and be informed that he the
understand
on
to
Order Book 4
1774- 1784)
of the said
sideration
same
and
HOUSEKEEPING/
David Jameson.
Virginia
set
be
fifty
Source: York County
attorney General for
of Virginia comes into
Court of the said
new
the
tread
make butter
to
five pounds Current money.
minutes of these Proceedings
were
The
Esqr
Commonwealth
Justices
to
being
Randolph
mund
the
James
there
Court at
to
Reynolds Gent Justices.
The said
in Williamsburgh
1776 for the
Negro Slave
David Jameson, Starkey Robinson, William
Digges Junr, Augustine
Moore and William
days later, Howe'
receive
for seed,
muttons and veal for sale, wean calves,
belonging
of August
signed
were
returned with a
s emissary
copy of the letter— this one addressed to
George Washington, Esq., etc., etc.,'— only to
thresh
plow and harrow in
July: Kill beef for sale to ships, kill
safely kept until the time of his Execution
aforesaid. The said James is valued by the
of
in the lbwn
County
Goal
Public
Present
they rebuffed him, declaring that there was no
person in our army with that address.' Three
a
held at the
for Felony and Burglary.
Mayo
Peace
trusted
of
of York
Courthouse
Island
a
arrived
Brown
under
the
men-
being
a
Esq.'
a
Court of Oyer and Terminer
a
rung lieutenant, Philip Brown,
letter addressed to' George Washington,
a
meet
At
force
1776,
His Excellency General George
commanderin- chief of the Con-
Washington,
tinental
was
odd
an
only
Declaration
of
Jefferson's
Thomas
after
was
could only give the enemy a low
of the American army.
opinion
Source: David McCullough, John Adams,
[
New York, Simon&
Schuster, 2001]
conduct"
CONDEMNED SLAVE TO HANG
stant
p. 87]
scenes
gawking,
town,
make butter
John Mayo of the
The New
23, 2005,
May
ones.
of 1776
By David McCullough [
onshore
Washington,
Adams knew, they had no naval support.
When, on July 12, with the wind and the
in their favor, the British sent two
stood
militia
which evoked an angry general order from
declaring such " unsoldierly
"
to
as
the
old
American
tell John Adams that in reality the
9, 000; and
American force might number
always
unusually intellectual and
affair— carried out not to cre
A Review
As
and chief had yet to fight a battle.
From Long Island, one of Washington' s ablest
Nathanael Green,
divisional commanders,
tide
manure,
town, cut, bind and stack, sell straw in
of- war up the Hudson River to demonstrate
who had control, there was nothing to stop
them. As the huge ships passed upstream,
mander
wrote
weed,
Wheat: Cart last year' s crop to ships or
amateurs
nearly all poorly equipped
led by Washington, who in his year as corn-
an
liberties but to preserve
ate new
on
optimistically
troops. These
20, 000
number
feel-
hasty
on
theoretic
as
in
only
rationality
oppression,
so
to
was
were
back at
said Edmund
was,
a
thought
dug
Island,
then
could
and
moderation
of their Revolution. It
Randolph
looked
who
New
hattan and Long
and replant,
Corn: Plow and hoe ground, plant and replant, weed with plows and hoes, and
cart last year's crop to town
until that time.
ever
Plant
worm, top and sucker. In August top,
gather seed, begin cutting
gm
+ ,
i
j
i
y E_
le-_
All rights reserved.
All images are property of
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation,
unless
otherwise
noted.
�4
June, July, August 2005
WARNING!
REBELLION MAY BE INJURIOUS
INTERPRETATION
INTERPRETATION
TO YOUR HEALTH
CONSIDER YOUR INTERPRETATIONS
FOR JUNE, JULY, AUGUST 1776
May 6
From
Convention
few
in
in its
on
May 15 a resolution for independence is introduced, and a committee is appointed to
draft
for
a constitution
On June
ment.
passes
with its
state
governConvention
12 the Virginia
•
Constitution
new
Patrick
Henry
everyone
first
the
and
support
7,
•
•-t
elects
t,,
of England.
7/'
E
granting
r
'
4_,
may
As•
a
e
people and
t
C
VIP
s
as
4-
m
new
Since the battles of Lexington
govern-
has
How
changed?
leadership
the
of
practice
and Con-
4
cord in the spring of 1775 colonists have
been at war with the Empire. In the sum-
ment?
Has Virginia' s
of 1776, Sir William
mer
religion
New York
changed?
with
Harbor
:
T
I!! 1 ,
1'
a
Howe sailed into
r,
force of 30, 000
a
gress is meeting in Philadelphia. On June
Richard Henry Lee moves in Congress
be
to
free
British
the
independent
absolved
are
they
and
from
Crown,
and
between
connection
all
States,
all
and
political
of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally
dissolved."
Thomas
and
declaration,
the
nental Congress
draft
is
Jefferson
after
accepts
selected
water,
fleet
sails
on
How
people'
s
What
How
country now
Continental Congress?
Will Loyalists
be
the
are
for Patriots
Who is
new
now
war
kind of
a
effort
How
some
many
will
the
a
would
manage
husbands,
as
of the Empire.
will happen
Trade
and
to the crops in the
of earning
period of crisis.
will
How
support
commerce
Ways
the
living
a
themselves?
disrupted.
are
change
during
and
commodities
this
be
goods
marketed?
a
will
How
A _- _ =_
Where
goods be imported
y,
•
Will the
war
my business
enhance
or
What will happen to my indebtedness
a'(
1'. a' '
of treason
be
now
goods
trade.
xL:
i` ,
European
can
purchased?
new
1
essential
into Virginia?
N
to
English
citizen
in the
and
1
p
be?
slaves
where
respectively.
The
call them before the time to which
of the Governor
from
ment, shall act as Lieutenant
The Delegates
thegovern
Governor. . .
for Virginia
to the Con-
tinental Congress shall be chosen annually
by joint ballot of both Houses.
The present militia officers shall be continued, and vacancies supplied by appointment
of the
Governor,
with
the advice
Court
Martial,
on complaint
of misbehav-
iour or inability, or to supply vacancies of
officers, happening when in actual service.
The two Houses of Assembly shall, by
joint ballot, appoint Judges of the Supreme
Court
of
Appeals,
and
General
Court,
Judges in Chancery, Judges of Admiralty,
Secretary, and the Attorney General, to be
commissioned by the Governor, and continue in office during good behaviour
The Governor shall appoint Justices of
the
Peace for the
and
future
The present
counties . . .
Clerks
shall
hold
their
offices
during good behaviour, to be judged of,
Sheriffs
s
of
the Privy Council, on recommendations
from the respective County Courts; but the
Governor and Council shall have a power
of suspending any officer, and ordering a
and determined
Will there be inflation?
r
themselves
merchants?
How stable will my investments in land
republic?
adjourn
absence
and families
individuals
action
How will families
is
commander
wins?
considered
that war
fields.
secured?
the
apparent
challenges.
forces
What
be supported?
military
more
and that Virginians
will families
How
injured will there be?
allegiances?
consequences
if Britain
war?
except
choose, out of their own members, a Presi-
sons and fathers leave to fight the awe-
A- ,
persecuted by
government?
Will families have split
What
governed by
affect
war
necessary gunpowder,
flint, musket balls, weapons, and salt be
of the
ginians are no longer subjects
king and some become citizens in a
rebellious
of the
face many
Washington?
•
Vir-
as
support the
9.
Aug.
be fought?
will the
•
lives changed
war
or
revised
July 4, 1776. News of its passage
Williamsburg on July 18 or 19,
and Governor Patrick Henry proclaims the
Declaration on July 25.
action
will fight in the
How
s
the
dead
on
are
would
Who
•
reached
How
terrorizing
for New York
Where will the
•
debate the ContiJefferson'
As it became
was inevitable
Virginians?
draft
to
River
or pardons,
dent, who, in case of death, inability, or
in search
and
•
I
is
Dunmore
of provisions
Virginians
until his
State
the
Lord
when
to
allegiances
that
them
July 9,
the Potomac
that
2
L ':'"-_ —
driven off Gwynn' s Island, his fleet cruised
and ought
4M t:
l!I MOA .
7.-' • =
aA=
same
are,
under
they shall stand prorogued or adjourned.
A Privy Council, or Council of State,
consisting of eight members, shall be chosen, by joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly, either from their own members or
the people at large, to assist in the administration of government. They shall annually
r_
=
IPT =
men.
the
time, the Continental ConAtAfter
That these united Colonies
not,
But he shall, with the advice
reprieves
Delegates,
ito
A
lfb.
equals?
in the
shall
Governor shall not prorogue or adjourn the
Assembly, during their sitting, nor dissolve
them at any time; but he shall, if necessary,
either by advice of the Council of State, or
on application of a majority of the House of
m
free blacks?
Who participates
and
the prosecution shall have been carried on
by the House of Delegates, or the law shall
otherwise particularlydirect: in which cases,
no reprieve or pardon shall be granted, but
by resolve of the House of Delegates.
Either House of the General Assembly
I
embraced
Commonwealth;
five, by virtue of any law, statute or custom
women?
Indians
ers of government, according to the laws of
any presence, exercise any power or preroga-
a
Is
Virginia
S
Continued from page 2
independence?
rebellion?
41
r
i
Are all Virginians now free and equal?
gin
q
Do all Virginians enjoy the protection of
their natural rights?
Are
to
S
Y
governor of the
slavery abolished?
What happens to enslaved
Virginia Constitution
of the Council of State, have the power of
commonwealth.
What about
move
is still loyal to the Crown?
the
adopts
June 29
on
as
Does
r
The Virginia Convention
is tumultuous. Virginians face
this
feel about the
Who
liberties and rights of men to govern themselves.
How do individuals
•
individual
of
statements
great
•
Declaration of Rights
Virginia
the
a new
in this town and commonwealth
personal and public changes in their lives as Virginia is being transformed from a
colony to a commonwealth and all the colonies are in open rebellion against the most
powerful empire in the world.
After two
leadership.
of 1776
summer
radical
with
Williamsburg
debate the Convention,
vigorous
The
Fifth Virginia
5 the
July
meets
changes
days of
to
and
in the General Court. The
Coroners
shall
be nominated
by the respective Courts, approved by the
Governor, and commissioned by the Govz
c-
U cam- c
.,-
4,--
4",---ti,....
c
,4
----
4. - ....,
c--„ .,--
Th(-
y
4
-
4- .._,-
0
ernor. The Justices
shall appoint
Constables;
and all fees of the aforesaid officers be regu-
lated by law.
QUIZ
ACROSS
YOURSELF
The Governor,
when he is out of office,
19 New York
signer
and others, offending against the State,
either by mar- administration, corruption,
or other means, by which the safety of
the State may be endangered, shall be impeachable by the House of Delegates . . .
If all or any of the Judges of the General
Court should on good grounds( to be judged
of by the House of Delegates) be accused of
any of the crimes or offences above mentioned, such House of Delegates may, in like
21 Maryland
signer
manner,
2
Open doors
6
First
7
Virginia
8
Dunmore'
ing
ON INDEPENDENCE
11
and
windows
facilitate
this
dur-
summer
president of
the
Virginia
senate
signer
s ships cruised this river in July 1776
Drafted Declaration of Independence
14 This
Virginia
document
adopted
June
29,
In1776
18 These
and
powers are separate from legislative
judicial
22 Proclaimed
M
•
23 Brothers
24 Signers
II:
il
N
II
®
III
in
July 25, 1776
British general and admiral
Williamsburg
were
of
Declaration
the
risked
charges
of
this
25
The
Significant
patriot victory in 1776
Charters,
land,
DOWN
1
11®
Formal
copy of Declaration engrossed
on this
material
11 : •
II
3
II
Pennsylvania
4
Georgia
5
Dunlap
9
Article
Rights
16
of
of Declaration of Independence
the
supports this
10 Virginian
Virginia
Declaration
of
freedom
who couldn' t sign
the
Declaration
of Independence
12 Declaration
15 Drafted
inspired
this
Virginia Declaration of Rights
17 New Virginia
this
constitution
restricted
office
20 Author
or Judges
so
territories,
erecting
Pennsylvania,
contained
within
the Colonies
North
and
the
of Mary-
South
Caro-
lina, are hereby ceded, released, and forever
confirmed, to the people of these Colonies
stand as fixed by the Charter of King James
I. in the year one thousand six hundred
and nine, and by the public treaty of peace
between the Courts of Britain and France, in
the Year
of Independence
address
by President Lincoln
13 This body chose Henry as first Governor
NEM.
II
the Judge
The western and northern
respectively . . .
extent of Virginia shall, in all other respects,
signer
signer
version
impeach
accused, to be prosecuted in the Court of
Appeals; and he or they, if found guilty, shall
be punished...
of " Common Sense"
power
of
one
a seven
hundred
and
sixty-three; unlessless byby act of this Legislature,
one or more governments be established
westward of the Alleghany mountains. And
no purchases of lands shall be made of the
Indian natives, but on behalf of the public, by
authority of the General Assembly.
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Becoming Americans Today
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Becoming Americans Today</em> was a newsletter developed by the Department of Interpretive Training for interpreters. Presented in a newspaper format loosely based on USA Today, it was developed to support programming by providing interpreters with the news that would have shaped the thoughts and lives of Williamsburg residents during the years interpreted in the Historic Area. It was considered a training material that combined diverse historical information in a readable contemporary format, utilizing headlines as a hook that interpreters could use to draw guests into the story. It was published 2002-2008.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Becoming Americans Today, volume 4, number 4, June - August, 2005
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
[2005]
Description
An account of the resource
Summer, 1776