On the 2d of July, Congress resumed its consideration of the resolution. At ten o'clock twelve colonies, without a dissenting voice, resolved: 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.

Without delay Congress again went into a committee of the whole, and took from the table the draught of the Declaration of Independence. In the evening John Adams wrote home:"The greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. . . The 2d day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America; to be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival, commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore." 1

On the evening of the 4th of July, the Declaration, having been discussed and amended in committee, was reported to the House, and adopted by twelve states, unanimously, as "The Declaration by the Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled." Thus was consummated that legislation, which, sustained by long struggle and suffering, of which history affords few parallels, struck from the British realm its most promising possession. On this eventful day the day which announced not only the Birth of a Nation, but also the establishment of a national government -the Declaration was signed by every member present,

1 Works, ix. 419.

except Mr. Dickinson,1 and was published in the Philadelphia press. Authenticated copies were transmitted to "the several committees and conventions, and the commanding officers of the continental troops;" and in each of the states the Declaration was proclaimed at the head of the army.2 Before Congress adjourned on the 4th, it resolved "that Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Jefferson, be a committee to prepare a device for a Seal for the United States of America." On the 15th, New York signed the paper; and thus the Declaration of Independence became the act of the thirteen United States.

Four days later Congress voted that "the Declaration passed on the 4th of July be fairly engrossed on parchment, and that the same, when engrossed, be signed by every member of Congress." On the 2d of August, the "Declaration being engrossed and compared at the table, was signed by the members;" and on the 20th of January, 1777, it was voted that an authenticated copy of the Declaration, with the names of the signers, be sent to each of the United States, with the request that it be put on record.

The Declaration was gloriously welcomed in all the states. Patriots rested from their labors; the bells rang pæans of joy; the military paraded; cannon roared with martial salutes, and imposing assemblies proclaimed the fervor of the celebrations. From north to south, from the enemy's lines to the borders of civilization, acclamation was unanimous. The voice of Georgia was the voice of New England. "Let us remember," said the devoted sons of the south, "America is free and independent; that she is, and will be, with the blessing of the Almighty, great among the nations of the earth. Let this encourage us in well doing, to fight

1 Jefferson's Works, i. 19, 120.

Idem, i. 120-122.

1

for our rights and privileges, for all that is near and dear to us. May God give us His blessing, and let all the people sayAmen.'" On the 18th of July the Declaration was publicly read from the balcony of the State House in Boston. The reading was followed by a grand parade; the King's Arms were taken down, and a dinner, free to all, was given on the occasion.2

The several states were now considered sovereign, as well as independent. They had publicly declared their freedom; but it still remained for them to maintain it even at the cost of life. When the autumn opened, the condition of affairs was far from encouraging. Provisions were scarce, and the army was daily diminishing. It became necessary for Congress to recruit troops on a larger scale than ever before,— and eighty-eight regiments, or seventy thousand men, were ordered to be enlisted for three years. Of this number. Massachusetts furnished more than one-sixth.

At the beginning of the new year, the enlistments were recommenced, and continued until the following summer. "We entreat you," said the General Court to the people, "for the sake of that religion, for the enjoyment whereof your ancestors fled to this country, for the sake of your laws. and future felicity, to act vigorously and firmly in this critical situation of your country; and we doubt not but that your noble exertions, under the smiles of Heaven, will insure you that success and freedom due to the wise man and the patriot." In February, the General Court ordered a new issue of paper money to the amount of one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds, and a tax of one hundred thousand pounds.

1 Force's Archives, 5 Series, i. 882. 'Austin's Life of Gerry, i. 206.

Bradford, ii. 181.

Meanwhile the naval armament of Massachusetts, including the vessels purchased by Congress, and several smaller privateers, were cruising on the coast and in the region of the West Indies, with success. A large number of richlyladen ships were thus captured by the Americans; and it was estimated that from July, 1775, to January, 1777, there were seized English merchant ships to the value of a million and a half sterling, besides a number of transports bearing provisions destined for the British troops. In the summer of 1777, an expedition was projected for the defence and relief of the people of Nova Scotia, living on the Bay of Fundy, who were friendly to the United States, and were, accordingly, frequently harassed by the British. A regiment was raised in Maine, and a naval force, such as was supposed would be necessary, was procured for the purpose. But unexpected difficulties arose in the prosecution of the plan; and after much delay it was totally abandoned.

Whilst this project was being considered, the British army, under the command of General Burgoyne, was meeting with repeated successes at the northward and in Canada. Apprehensions were excited that it would soon make its way to Albany, unless suddenly checked by a strong re-enforcement from the militia of the New England States. No time was to be lost. Several companies from Suffolk and Middlesex were called out to protect the capital, and to guard the stores deposited there and at Cambridge and Watertown; and the residue comprising as many troops as could be spared were sent to strengthen the army of General Gates. The junction was completed just at the right moment; for a few days later, a body of the army, under the gallant Stark, defeated, near Bennington, a detachment of fifteen hundred British, under Colonel Baum. On the 19th of September,

the Americans gained a victory in an engagement which took place near Saratoga; and on the 7th of October, a third encounter also resulted in their favor. Burgoyne had now penetrated the country so far that he could not retreat without disgrace. Every day his situation became more perilous; and on the 19th of October, surrounded by a large army, he was forced to surrender his troops to the Americans. The prisoners of war were marched to the vicinity of Boston, and quartered in barracks on Winter and Prospect Hills. After this achievement, which was called "the turning point of the war of revolution in America," the greater part of the Continental army was marched from Saratoga to join Washington near Philadelphia, and a few weeks later, went into winter quarters at Valley Forge.

The war, thus far, had been attended with enormous expense, and the country was burdened with debt. When, in November, the General Court met, several important subjects demanded their attention. Congress had recently recommended to the states to raise by tax five millions of dollars; and eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars were required of Massachusetts. To meet the demand, the General Court voted to raise seventy-five thousand pounds immediately by loans, and two hundred and forty thousand pounds by tax. Two new regiments were ordered to be raised to. serve in Rhode Island; and some of the militia were called out for the defence of the sea coast.

Ardent and spirited appeals were issued to the people to arouse them to exertion. "Act like yourselves," it was said. "Arouse at the call of Washington and of your country, and you will soon be crowned with glory, independence, and peace. Present ease and interest we must part with for a time; and let us rejoice at the sacri