British troops in Boston. gan to suffer from small-pox and also for want of food and fuel. They had to pull down old houses to burn, and had to send hundreds of the inhabitants out of the town, because they could not be fed. Some of the churches were turned into barracks; and the “Old South," into a riding-school; and Faneuil Hall, into a theatre. Sometimes the British used to send out playbills to Washington and his generals. Once, in this theatre, the British officers were acting a play called "The Blockade of Boston," in which a figure intended to burlesque Washington was just coming in, wearing a large wig and a long rusty sword, and attended by a countryman with a rusty gun. Suddenly a sergeant appeared on the stage, and cried, "The Yankees are attacking our works on Bunker Hill!" At first this was taken for a part of the play; but when General Howe rose, and called out, "Officers, to your posts!" the people dispersed hastily, amid the shrieking and fainting of women. The attack at Charlestown, thus announced, did not amount to much; but General Washington at last succeeded in erecting a battery at Dorchester Heights, which so effectually assailed the Evacuation British, that General Howe finally embarked his army, and quitted Boston forever, March 17, 1776. Nearly twelve hundred American loyalists went with the fleet to Halifax; and most of these never returned. of Boston. Determin ation of the British government. But, because the British army evacuated Boston, we must not suppose that they meant to give up the contest. After the British Government heard of the battle of Bunker Hill, it was resolved to subdue the American colonies, no matter at what cost. All trade and intercourse with the colonies were prohibited; and their property on the ocean might be seized by any one. Sixteen thousand Hessians (or Germans) were employed in the British army; and the whole force destined for America amounted to fifty thousand men. Against this, the whole American army included as yet Strength of but some twelve thousand. Yet the only effect of all can Army. this was to make the Americans feel that they had gone too far to retreat, and must persevere. the Ameri CHAPTER XX. The work of Con gress. Ideas of the people Indepen WE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. E must remember that the most important responsibilities of the Revolution were not taken by the farmers who fought at Lexington or Bunker Hill, but by the Continental Congress at Philadelphia. For, even after one or two fights, the Americans might have drawn back, and made peace again, but after the Congress had solemnly declared that the "United Colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent States," there was no going back, and they must take the consequences. Moreover, the soldiers had only to fight; but the Congress had to take all the difficult work of raising soldiers, appointing officers, collecting and expending money, and negotiating with foreign governments to get, if possible, their aid. It looked like a very desperate undertaking. To be sure, when the patriots in Congress looked concerning back upon the few battles that had yet taken place, dence. they could feel that the Americans had begun well. Dr. Franklin, who was always cheerful and hopeful, described their situation in this way, in a letter to a friend in England: " Britain, at the expense of three millions, has killed a hundred and fifty Yankees in this campaign, which is twenty thousand pounds a head; and at Bunker Hill she gained a mile of ground, half of which she lost again by our taking post on Ploughed Hill. During the same time, sixty thousand children have been born in America. From these data, Dr. Price's mathematical head will easily calculate the time and expense necessary to kill us all, and conquer our whole territory." This remark was printed in all the American papers, and was very encouraging. But Dr. Franklin and all the wise men knew in their hearts that the Americans were unaccustomed to military discipline, that there was great jealousy between the different colonies, and that many of the richest and most influential men were entirely opposed to separating from the mother-country. Washington himself said, "When I first took command of the army, I abhorred the idea of independence; but I am fully convinced that nothing else will save us." That was the feeling with which the Continental Congress came together to consider whether independence should be declared. And the people at large were becoming gradually prepared to support such a declaration, especially those who had read a book called "Common Sense," by Thomas Paine, which had been circulated very widely through the country, and undoubtedly did more than any other book toward convincing the Americans that the time for separation had come. olutions The leading colony at that time was Virginia; while The res Massachusetts and Pennsylvania came next in order. So it was thought best that the first proposal of independence should come from Virginia, and that it should be seconded from Massachusetts. On the 7th of June, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, moved these resolutions: Unanimity of feeling "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." among the setts. colonies. The Declaration of Independence. They were seconded by John Adams of MassachuThe first discussion of them showed that, though the members generally were in favor of independence, yet there were some who thought the nation not ready for it. So it was decided to postpone further discussion to the 1st of July. By that time, it was thought, the people of the colonies would show whether they were ready for independence or not. And this was just what happened. Before the end of that month, the people of every colony but one had either held meetings, and voted that they wished for independence, or else had instructed their delegates to vote for it; and, when the subject came up on the appointed day, New York was the only colony that did not vote to declare independence; and even New York did not vote against it. During this time of delay, a committee had been. appointed to draw up a declaration of independence to be used, if necessary. This committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert R. Livingston of |