Although it wasn’t actually passed into law until 1786, Thomas Jefferson’s bill for establishing religious freedom in Virginia was printed “for the consideration of the PEOPLE” shortly after it was introduced in the Virginia legislature in 1779.
One of the things that Thomas Jefferson most wished to be remembered for was his bill for religious freedom in Virginia. In it, he not only stated that people’s beliefs should not impact their civil rights in any way, but he explained why. “Almighty God hath created the mind free,” he said, and rather than compelling everyone to believe the same thing, “as was in his Almighty power to do,” God allows us to believe as we see fit — and if He doesn’t force belief on us, then why should we force it on each other? Furthermore, trying to force people to conform to a particular set of religious beliefs leads to “hypocrisy and meanness,” as people conform outwardly but insincerely in order to get rewards or avoid punishment.
The Great Seal of the United States, which can be seen on the back of a dollar bill, includes an eagle and a pyramid. The original proposed design was very different; as shown in this note by Thomas Jefferson, it included the story of Moses parting — or rather, closing — the Red Sea, and a rather defiant motto.
One of the first things that the Continental Congress did after declaring independence was to appoint a committee to come up with a “great seal” for the United States — a design that would officially symbolize the new republic. What with everything else going on, it was August 20 before the committee reported back and presented their recommendation.
Who beat the British at Fort Sullivan? According to Major Barnard Elliott of the South Carolina artillery, it wasn’t really the Americans:
The expression of a Sergeant McDaniel, after a cannon ball had taken off his shoulder and scouped out his stomach, is worth recording in the annals of America: ‘Fight on, my brave boys; don’t let liberty expire with me to-day!’ … Now, my dear wife, let us not forget to whom we are indebted for this success against our enemy. Let us return God thanks for it. It is He that does all for us — He inspires our officers and men with courage, and shields their heads in the day of battle — He is the wonderful God of victory.
It pays to remember that we’re not alone. There are so many things beyond our control that to take credit for our victories is rather arrogant.
Whether or not you believe in God, and whether or not you believe that God (or Providence, as they often said at the time) had a hand in the outcome of the American Revolution, I suggest that you think twice before taking full credit for anything that you’ve ever achieved in your life. A healthy dose of humility is good for everyone.
On Memorial Day, we pause — or at least, we should pause — to remember those who have given their lives for American liberty. I think this should include not only those who have been killed or wounded on the battlefield, but those who have given their lives in other ways. For example:
Alexander Graydon of Pennsylvania left his fiancee behind when he left to serve in the American army in the early days of the Revolution. He was later captured by the British.
Joseph Hodgkins of Massachusetts, a married man with children, served four years in the army, while his wife, Sarah, took on the full responsibility of running their home and farm.
John Joseph Henry of Pennsylvania was crippled by disease as a result of the hardships he suffered as a soldier and prisoner of war in Canada.
Israel R. Potter of Rhode Island escaped after being captured by the British, but was unable to return to America for decades.
All over the country, people lost their homes, businesses, family members, and livelihoods.
We may think that we know something about war and the sacrifice and sorrow that it brings; after all, the United States has had soldiers at war for years now, and there are plenty of veterans of earlier wars still alive. But the people of the Revolution knew what it was like to have a war in their own homeland — even on their own doorsteps. As we observe Memorial Day, it’s worthwhile to remember those who did not die in battle, but who still sacrificed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
Soldiers were going to and from the camps around Boston; people were leaving Boston, often without being able to take much with them; and all of them needed a place to stay the night or get a meal while they were traveling. John and Abigail Adams’ house was along the road in nearby Braintree, Massachusetts, and many people — total strangers — stopped there for a few minutes, or hours, or days. John was in Philadelphia as a member of the Continental Congress; Abigail was managing the household and taking care of her young children, but still she willingly did what she could for the people who came to her door. Their house was a “Scene of confusion”, she wrote:
Soldiers comeing in for lodging, for Breakfast, for Supper, for Drink &c. &c. Sometimes refugees from Boston tierd and fatigued, seek an assilum for a Day or Night, a week—you can hardly imagine how we live.
“Yet to the Houseless child of want
our doors are open still.
And tho our portions are but scant
We give them with good will.”
Abigail Adams certainly was not the only one who helped out the soldiers and refugees who needed it. Many people gave a meal, a drink of water, a place to spend the night, and so on. It pays to remember that women played just as important a role in the Revolution as men did, and that soldiers were not the only heroes.
A portrait of Abigail Adams, ca. 1766
Notes
The word “assilum” was a misspelling of “asylum”, meaning a place to stay.
The verse that Abigail Adams quoted in her letter was adapted from The Hermit, a poem by Oliver Goldsmith, in which a hermit invites a traveler to stay the night with him:
Here to the houseless child of want My door is open still; And though my portion is but scant, I give it with good will.
Source
“Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 May 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-01-02-0136. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Adams Family Correspondence, vol. 1, December 1761 – May 1776, ed. Lyman H. Butterfield. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1963, pp. 204–206.]
Before the Revolutionary War, George Washington’s military experience was serving in the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War. This portrait, painted in 1772 by Charles Willson Peale, shows him as a militia colonel.
When the Continental Congress was getting ready to choose a commander-in-chief of the American army, they decided that he would be paid $500 a month, which was quite a lot for that time. George Washington, a wealthy Virginian, was unanimously chosen. Despite his wealth, it would have been perfectly understandable for him to take the salary that was offered, and most people would have done so. But instead, he decided to serve without pay. Here is the speech he made to the Congress when accepting his appointment (as was usual, he addressed his remarks to John Hancock, the president of congress, but he was really speaking to the whole group):
Mr President, Tho’ I am truly sensible of the high Honour done me in this Appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities & Military experience may not be equal to the extensive & important Trust: However, as the Congress desire it I will enter upon the momentous duty, & exert every power I Possess In their service & for the Support of the glorious Cause: I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their Approbation.
But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be rememberd by every Gentn in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think my self equal to the Command I am honoured with.
As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to Assure the Congress that as no pecuniary [i.e., monetary] consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this Arduous emploiment at the expence of my domestk ease & happiness I do not wish to make any proffit from it: I will keep an exact Account of my expences; those I doubt not they will discharge & that is all I desire.
Washington did indeed serve without pay for the whole war, and he definitely has my respect for that. He also kept a record of his expenses during all that time and submitted it to Congress after the war was over; if you’d like to look at it, go to the Library of Congress website.
Source
“Address to the Continental Congress, 16 June 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0001. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 1–3.]
