CHAPTER XVI.

THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.

Ir does not lie within the province of the local historian to trace in full the progress of the Revolution. It has previously been observed that the vengeance of the British ministry was, at first, aimed chiefly at Massachusetts; that here the struggle for freedom began; and that up to the spring of 1776, the movements of the war, with but few exceptions, were confined to these limits. As the war progressed, however, the scene of activity was enlarged, and what was formerly a mere flame, now burst forth into a conflagration. In the present work, therefore, only a summary of events bearing directly upon the history of Massachusetts will be given.

After the evacuation of Boston, General Ward assumed command of the Massachusetts forces, and as early as was practicable, fortified Boston harbor. Three new regiments, with six companies of artillery, were raised at the expense of the state; under the direction of General Lincoln, fortifications were erected at Salem, Marblehead, Cape Ann, and Plymouth; and the private armed vessels, and those in commission of the province, were employed in the service of the country. Frequent alarms in the months of May and June gave much uneasiness to the people of Massachusetts, and fears were entertained of another visit from the British. A few of the enemy's vessels still remained in the harbor; and the General Court resolved to drive them away if possible.

On the morning of the 13th of June, a large force took post at Nantasket and Long Island, and began a heavy cannonade upon the British. The situation of the latter soon became hazardous; and they were forced to put to sea with their shattered fleet, after blowing up the lighthouse, the only injury which it was in their power to commit.

Meanwhile the state of affairs elsewhere in the country required the assistance of Massachusetts. Fresh troops were constantly in demand. The General Court voted to raise five thousand men for six months for the national army. In every town committees were appointed to direct the enlistments; a bounty and a month's pay in advance were given to each soldier; and the sum of fifty thousand pounds was appropriated by the state to defray current expenses. Notwithstanding these inducements, the local jealousies which prevailed in the colonies greatly retarded the raising of troops. These were soon calmed down, however, and of the five thousand men raised in June, two thousand were sent to New York, and the rest were despatched to the northern department. In the following month other regiments were ordered to New York and to Canada. Such was the need of troops in September, that every fifth man in the province was ordered to march to the neighborhood of New York. In communicating the resolves of Congress at this time, Hancock urged the General Court and the people, by every consideration that could influence honorable men and freemen, to assist in the great work of saving the country from tyranny and oppression. To those who live in times of peace, it appears almost incredible, what sufferings were endured and hazards met by the brave men of that eventful period.

On the 7th of June, Richard Henry Lee, in behalf of

the Virginia delegates, submitted in the hall of Congress in Philadelphia, the following important resolutions:

"That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

"That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign alliances.

"That a plan of confederation be prepared, and transmitted to the respective colonies, for their consideration and approbation."

These resolves were seconded by John Adams; but owing "to some other business," it was mutually agreed that the members of the Congress should delay until the next day, "in order to take the same into their consideration." At the appointed time, the resolutions were taken into consideration, and the debate which ensued was "the most 'copious and the most animated ever held on the subject." John Adams defended the proposed measures, as "objects of the most stupendous magnitude, in which the lives and liberties of millions yet unborn were intimately interested," and the climax "of a revolution the most complete, unexpected, and remarkable of any in the history of nations." A vote on the question was deferred until the following Monday.

On the 10th, Edward Rutledge moved that "the question be postponed for three weeks." The whole day, until seven o'clock in the evening, was consumed in the debate; when "it appearing," says Jefferson, "that the colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina were not yet matured for falling from the

1 Works, ix. 391.

parent stem, but that they were fast advancing to that state, it was thought most prudent to wait a while for them." At the same time, it was voted that a committee should be appointed to prepare "a declaration in conformity to the resolution on independence." Accordingly, on the next day, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston were named as a committee; and "it fell to Jefferson to write" the declaration, "both because he represented Virginia, from which the proposition had gone forth, and because he had been elected by the largest number of votes." On the very day when Mr. Lee offered his resolutions, he was called home on account of an illness in his family. Had he remained until the forming of the committee, he would, by courtesy, have been designated as its chairman, and in this event, might have been the author of the declaration.

Jefferson prepared the draught of the Declaration of Independence; and on the 28th of June he presented it to Congress, where it was "ordered to lie on the table." On the 1st of July, "probably fifty-one delegates "2 assembled in the Old State House in Philadelphia. After attending to certain preliminary business, Congress resolved itself "into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the resolution respecting independency," and voted to refer the draught of the declaration to this committee. For a while the silence of death prevailed; every heart beat nervously with apprehension; every eye was bent towards him, who had dared to second the resolution of freedom. In the midst of the quiet, the new delegates from New Jersey arose and requested a “discussion of the question," and "a recapitulaof the arguments used in former debates."

1 Jefferson's Works, i. 12–14.

2 Bancroft, viii. 459.

Mr. Adams undertook to reply. He set forth the justice, the necessity, and the advantages of a separation from Great Britain; he dwelt on the neglect and insult with which their petitions had been treated by the king, and on that vindictive spirit, which showed itself in the employment of German troops, whose arrival was hourly expected, to compel the colonists to unconditional surrender. He concluded, by urging the present time as the most suitable for resolving on independence, inasmuch as it had become the first wish and the last instruction of the communities they represented.

The question before the committee was the resolution on Independence submitted by Mr. Lee on the 7th of June. After being debated upon a whole day, it passed by the vote of nine colonies- New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. "South Carolina and Pennsylvania," says Jefferson, "voted against it. Delaware had but two members present, and they were divided. The delegates from New York declared they were for it themselves, and were assured their constituents were for it; but that their instructions having been drawn near a twelvemonth before, when reconciliation was still the general object, they were enjoined by them to do nothing which should impede that object. They therefore thought themselves not justifiable in voting on either side, and asked leave to withdraw from the question; which was given them." The committee rose, and Harrison reported the resolution to the House; but at the request of Rutledge, determination upon it was postponed till the next day. Rutledge cherished the hope that his colleagues "would then join in it for the sake of unanimity."1

Jefferson's Works, i. 18.