02: Revolutionary America

I do not wish you to be gayly clothed at this time of life, but that what you wear should be fine of it’s kind; but above all things, and at all times let your clothes be clean, whole, and properly put on

The acquirements which I hope you will make under the tutors I have provided for you will render you more worthy of my love, and if they cannot increase it they will prevent it’s diminution

I shall not undertake to say where the Line between Great Britain and the Colonies should be drawn, but I am clearly of opinion that one ought to be drawn; & our Rights clearly ascertaind.

but the Crisis is arrivd when we must assert our Rights, or Submit to every Imposition that can be heap’d upon us; till custom and use, will make us as tame, & abject Slaves, as the Blacks we Rule over with such arbitrary Sway.

I have, of late, been so much afflicted with a rheumatic complaint in my shoulder that at times I am hardly able to raise my hand to my head, or turn myself in bed.

<p>At a time when our lordly Masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the deprivation of American freedom, it seems highly necessary that something shou’d be done to avert the stroke and maintain the liberty which we have derived from our Ancestors; but the manner of doing it to answer the purpose effectually is the point in question.</p> <p>That no man shou’d scruple, or hesitate a moment to use a—ms in defence of so valuable a blessing, on which all the good and evil of life depends; is clearly my opinion; Yet A—ms I wou’d beg leave to add, should be the last resource; the de[r]nier resort. Addresses to the Throne, and remonstrances to parliament, we have already, it is said, proved the inefficacy of; how far then their attention to our rights &amp; priviledges is to be awakened or alarmed by starving their Trade &amp; manufactures, remains to be tryed.</p> <p></p>

The extravagant &amp; expensive man has the same good plea to retrench his Expences—He is thereby furnished with a pretext to live within bounds, and embraces it—prudence dictated œconomy to him before, but his resolution was too weak to put it in practice; for how can I, <span style="font-style: italic">says he</span>, who have lived in such &amp; such a manner change my method? I am ashamed to do it: and besides, such an alteration in the System of my living, will create suspicions of a decay in my fortune, &amp; such a thought the world must not harbour; I will e’en continue my course: till at last the course <a id="GEWN-02-08-02-pb-0180"></a> discontinues the Estate, a sale of it being the consequence of his perseverance in error.

In fact, if people are truly loyal to the idea that, as Abraham Lincoln said, the U.S. of A. is “dedicated to the proposition that all men [and women] are created equal,” then they should accept the meaning of the word “proposition.” That is a hypothesis to be proven, a challenge to be met, an ongoing responsibility to fix problems. <br> <br> Limiting how teachers discuss the history of race discrimination in America would be simply giving up on that proposition. It would confirm that American society is inherently, irreparably racist—exactly the idea that the people pushing these new laws ostensibly object to.

In March 1775, land speculators from North Carolina sought to create a new colony based on Daniel Boone’s forays into “Kaintuckee,” to gain title to highly valuable Cherokee hunting grounds.

Dragging Canoe (ca. 1738–1792), son of a conciliatory Cherokee elder and soon to be focus of the hard-line resistance, i

Nations have melted like snowballs in the sun. We never thought the white man would come across the mountains, but he has, and has settled on Cherokee land. He will not leave us but a small spot to stand on. Should we not therefore run all risks, and incur all consequences rather than submit to further laceration of our country?”

Treaty of Sycamore Shoals

Dragging Canoe, son of diplomat Little Carpenter

The 1763 Royal Proclamation reinforced the line, which was made by blazing, or stripping bark from trees. British agents had repeatedly told the Cherokees they were fully within their rights to drive off the squatters and seize their horses and cattle as a penalty for breaking English law.

John Stuart, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs living in Charleston, S.C., was accused of using his influence with the Cherokees to bring the rumored plan into effect.

Alexander Cameron, Stuart’s emissary

y 1775 lived among the Cherokees for more than a decade.<span class="diigoHighlightCommentLocator"></span>

Charleston rebel William Henry Drayton dispatched an envoy to bribe Cameron into abandoning his loyalty to the king.

With his Cherokee wife and three children, Cameron fled his 2,000-acre estate in South Carolina

Dragging Canoe make passionate speeches in defense of liberty, dignity and survival

One of New Jersey’s two statues is of Richard Stockton.&nbsp; After reading this article, you may agree with me that New Jersey may want to reconsider its selection.

Richard Stockton of Princeton, New Jersey, was the only signer taken prisoner specifically because of his status as a signatory to the Declaration

Monmouth County. As this county was known for harboring some strong Tories,

On November 30, General Howe had issued a proclamation offering a “full pardon” to anyone who, within sixty days, swore an oath of loyalty to the king. Within a month of his captivity, Stockton apparently signed a declaration of allegiance to the king, giving his word of honor that he would not oppose the Crown.

if a Slave is brought into the State and continues therein for the space of six months, he may claim his freedom, let the cause of his being brought be what it may; and that this extends, in its full force, to those slaves who may be brought here by the Officers of the General Government or by members of Congress.

if, before the expiration of six months, they could, upon any pretence whatever, be carried or sent out of the State, but for a single day, a new era would commence on their return, from whence the six months must be dated for it requires an <span style="font-style: italic">entire</span> six months for them to claim that right

If Hercules should decline the offer which will be made him of going home, it will be a pretty strong proof of his intention to take the advantage of the law at the expiration of six months.

That the said colonies and plantations in America have been, are, and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and dependent upon the imperial crown and parliament of Great Britain;

In Maryland, for instance, by the new constitution of 1776, to run for governor one had to own 5,000 pounds of property; to run for state senator, 1,000 pounds. Thus, 90 percent of the population were excluded from holding office