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P'D. I.

THE FOURTH OF JULY.

PT. III. "humble, decent, and dutiful petitions"-the endeavour to reduce them to abject submission, by war and CH. I. bloodshed, subjecting their persons to slavery, and 1776. hiring foreign mercenaries to destroy them;-so that no alternative was left, but either to submit to what must end in the extreme of wretchedness, or, appeal ing to God, to declare a total separation.

July 4.

14. The sentiments which Connecticut had thus embodied, pervaded the whole country. Congress, Independence. therefore, on the 4th of July, 1776, declared to the world, that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent STATES."

13. How had the Connecticut legislature expressed the senti ments of the nation ?-14. What was done on the 4th of July ?

EXERCISES ON THE CHRONOGRAPHER.

What event marks the beginning of this period? What is its date? Point to it on the chronographer. The Stamp Act was passed in 1765. Point out the place of this event. The first continental congress assembled in 1774. Point to the place of this date. The battle of Lexington was fought April 18th, 1775, and the battle of Bunker Hill June 17th. Point to the place of these dates.

Congress again assembled at Philadelphia, May 10th, and Washington was appointed commander-in-chief June 15th, 1775. Point out the year of these dates. The British evacuated Boston, March 17th, 1776. When does this period terminate? What event marks its termination? Point out its place on the chronographer.

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Lord Howe attempts pacification.-American disaster at Long

Island.

1. CONSIDERED as a step in the great march of PT. III. human society, no one can be fixed upon of more P'D. II. importance, than the solemn promulgation of the wri- CH. 1. ting, which contained the grievances of America, and July 6. declared her freedom. It embodied also, the universal 1776. wrongs of the oppressed; sent forth a warning voice to the oppressor; and declared the common rights of importall mankind.

The De

claration

ant to the world.

With

America

2. The signing of this declaration, by the members of the American congress, who were the leading men of the nation, was doing that, which, if Great Britain the final should prevail, would subject every signer to the decision

CHAPTER I.-1. Why may the Declaration of Independence be properly regarded as an era in the history of mankind?-2. Why did the people of the United States consider the signing of the declaration as their final decision?

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GREAT DISPARITY OF FORCE.

PT. III. penalty of death. As these patriots had thus exposed themselves for the sake of their country, all now regarded the grand decision as unalterably made.

P'D. II.
CH. II.

3. The British troops from Halifax, under the command of General Howe, took possession of Staten July 2,to July 12. Island on the 2d of July; and those from England, British commanded by Admiral Howe, landed at the same in great force at place on the 12th. These, with other English, and several Hessian regiments, would make up an army of 35,000 of the best troops of Europe.

Staten

Island.

Lord

peace

4. Lord Howe, who was a man of kind disposition, hoped that the Americans, would be so much afraid of this great force, that they would submit, without his employing it against them. He took Howe various measures to appeal to the people against the attempts decision of Congress, but he did not succeed. Perable ex- ceiving Washington's great influence, he wrote him a too late. letter, directing it to Mr. Washington. The General sent it back unopened; for he said that he was not addressed in his public capacity; and as an individual, he would hold no intercourse with the enemies of his country.

pedients

plan

5. General and Admiral Howe now determined to attack New York. From this point they might, they Grand hoped, proceed with their grand scheme, which was of the to divide New England from the south. Carleton, with 13,000 men, was to make a descent from Canada, by the way of Lake Champlain, and form a junction with Howe, who was to ascend the Hudson.

British

ington's

6. Thirteen thousand of the militia were ordered to join the army of Washington, which, thus increased, amounted to twen-seven thousand; but a fourth of Wash- these were invalids, and another fourth were poorly army. provided with arms. From these and other causes, the force fit for duty did not exceed ten thousand; and of this number the greater part was without order or discipline.

3. How large a British army was in or near the United States? 4. What hopes had Lord Howe? What measures did he take? What occurred between him and Washington ?-5. What appears to have been the grand scheme of the English? What city did they wish to make their head quarters?-6. What was the number and condition of Washington's army?

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