Relive the Revolutionary War!
Last week’s question: What was the first battle in the Revolutionary War in which more than one colony participated?
Answer: The Battle of Bunker Hill, on June 17, 1775.
This week’s question: Who was the first president of the Continental Congress?
Leave a comment if you know the answer, or ask a question of your own.
To recant: “To retract; to recall; to contradict what one has once said or done.” -Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language
I’ve been thinking about recantations — that is, public statements, often in writing, that people made during the Revolution to convince other people that they had changed their ways. Here are some examples:
Whereas, I the subscriber, have, for a long series of time, both done and said many things that I am sensible has proved of great disadvantage to this Town and the Continent in general; and am now determined by my future conduct to convince the publick that I will risk my life and interest in defence of the constitutional privileges of this Continent, and humbly ask the forgiveness of my friends and the Country in general for my past conduct.
James McMaster.
Portsmouth, N.H., May 11, 1775.
Whereas my past conduct hath made an ill impression upon the minds of many of the inhabitants of this Town and Province; and as many view me unfriendly to the rights and liberties of British America, I hereby declare that I am heartily sorry that any part of my conduct should have given uneasiness to any of the friends of America; and hereby engage to aid and assist in supporting the common cause of America to the utmost of my power; and I hope my future conduct will render me worthy of the friendship and protection of this Country.
Thos. Achincloss.
Portsmouth, N.H., May 22, 1775.
Kensington, New-Hampshire, May 27, 1775.
Whereas I have offended the community in times past, by refusing to equip myself with arms and ammunition, and by my opposition to military orders, for which I am sorry: I hereby engage to equip myself according to orders, and be ready to take up arms in defence of my Country, in the present contest between Great Britain and the Colonies.
Ebenezer Loverin.
Why did people write things like this? Sometimes it was because somebody had spread rumors about them, and they were anxious to protect their reputation. Sometimes it was because they had been shunned or boycotted for not complying with things that the Continental Congress said, or for doing things that were politically unpopular. Either way, they did it because they wanted to be safe, respected, and prosperous.
The Olive Branch Petition was signed by representatives from twelve colonies, and the Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain was from “The Twelve United Colonies”. Why only twelve?
Georgia was late. Not only was it founded later than the other twelve colonies (it was only 43 years old when the Revolutionary War started), but it took longer for Georgia to pull together and send delegates to the Continental Congress. Some reasons for this, in my opinion, are that it was relatively “young” and therefore more sparsely settled and less established than the other colonies, and that it was off by itself, being the farthest south of any of them (except East and West Florida, which are a different story). But perhaps there were other, more compelling, reasons.
Georgia didn’t send any delegates at all to the First Continental Congress in 1774. And while the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, it wasn’t until July 7 that Georgia’s Provincial Congress chose delegates to send to Philadelphia.
No doubt many of the members of the Continental Congress were glad to have all thirteen colonies represented, and no doubt the president of Georgia’s congress (Archibald Bulloch, who also happened to be one of the delegates chosen to go to Philadelphia) was glad to report to the Continental Congress that Georgia was ready to fully join in. He wrote to the president of the Continental Congress:
As we appear so late in the American Cause, We must introduce ourselves with Expressions of Regret, that our Province has been so long divided, A Number of Incidents have Contributed thereto, which we think the less necessary to particularize as we hope they are pretty well got over…
We have already Resolved strictly to adhere to the Continental Association, and are heartily disposed Zealously to Enter into every measure that your Congress may deem necessary for the Saving of America…
Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 2, pp. 192-3
The delegates chosen were John Houstoun, Archibald Bulloch (sometimes spelled Bullock; president of the Georgia Provincial Congress), John Joachim Zubly (a clergyman who had preached a sermon entitled “The Law of Liberty” when the Provincial Congress convened on July 4th), Lyman Hall (who later signed the Declaration of Independence), and Noble Wimberly Jones.
In the Olive Branch Petition, the Continental Congress appealed to King George III to defend their rights and help stop the war. But even before doing that, they decided to appeal to a higher King.
“We have appointed a continental Fast,” wrote John Adams to his wife, Abigail, on June 17, 1775. “Millions will be upon their Knees at once before their great Creator, imploring his Forgiveness and Blessing, his Smiles on American Councils and Arms.” The “day of public humiliation [i.e., publicly humbling oneself before God], fasting and prayer” was set for Thursday, July 20, and the Continental Congress issued a proclamation urging everyone in the American colonies to observe it. The proclamation said that the objective of the fast was
…that we may, with united hearts and voices, unfeignedly confess and deplore our many sins; and offer up our joint supplications to the all-wise, omnipotent, and merciful Disposer of all events; humbly beseeching him to forgive our iniquities, to remove our present calamities, to avert those desolating judgments, with which we are threatned, and to bless our rightful sovereign, King George the third, and inspire him with wisdom to discern and pursue the true interest of all his subjects, that a speedy end may be put to the civil discord between Great Britain and the American colonies, without farther effusion of blood: And that the British nation may be influenced to regard the things that belong to her peace, before they are hid from her eyes: That these colonies may be ever under the care and protection of a kind Providence, and be prospered in all their interests; That the divine blessing may descend and rest upon all our civil rulers, and upon the representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions, that they may be directed to wise and effectual measures for preserving the union, and securing the just rights and priviledges of the colonies; That virtue and true religion may revive and flourish throughout our land; And that all America may soon behold a gracious interposition of Heaven, for the redress of her many grievances, the restoration of her invaded rights, a reconciliation with the parent state, on terms constitutional and honorable to both; And that her civil and religious priviledges may be secured to the latest posterity.
The fast was indeed observed with “strictness and devotion” in many places throughout the colonies. In Newport, Rhode Island, the Reverend Ezra Stiles (who later became president of Yale College) addressed “the most crouded Assembly that I ever preached to in my Meetinghouse.” His sermon was based on 2 Chronicles 20, which tells of how God protected the ancient Jews from their enemies in response to their prayers and fasting. Also in Newport, Rabbi Samuel Cohen “of the holy Land” preached to his congregation, using Numbers 25:11-12 as his text. (Incidentally, the synagogue in Newport is the oldest one in America.)
But not everybody was as enthusiastic as Reverend Stiles or Rabbi Cohen. Some pastors and priests refused to take part in the fast: some of them said it was against their personal convictions; others (particularly those of the Church of England) said they might lose their jobs if they participated. But as it turned out, some of them lost their jobs for not participating.
In our day, when the phrase “separation of church and state” is often taken to mean that religion has little or no place in public life, it may seem strange to us that a congress would tell people to turn to God for help in a time of national crisis. But this was a common practice both during and after the Revolution — and even after the U.S. Constitution was adopted (which, incidentally, sheds some light on what the people who wrote the Constitution thought “separation of church and state” meant).
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1775
Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 2, 87-8
Literary Diary of Ezra Stiles, vol. 1, 590-1
In general, American political leaders wanted peace — but they were determined to keep fighting, if necessary, in order to protect their liberties. They wanted to be united with Britain, but they also wanted to enjoy the same rights as the people in Britain did. So, in early July 1775, the Continental Congress published a declaration of why they had taken up arms against the British, a petition asking King George III to step in and solve the problem, and an address asking the British people to stand up for them. Here are some excerpts from these documents:
We are reduced to the alternative of chusing an unconditional Submission to the tyranny of irritated Ministers, or resistance by Force. The latter is our choice. We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary Slavery. Honour, Justice, and Humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that Freedom which we received from our gallant Ancestors, and which our innocent Posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding Generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them, if we basely entail hereditary Bondage upon them.
We therefore beseech your Majesty, that your royal authority and influence may be graciously interposed to procure us releif from our afflicting fears and jealousies occasioned by the system before mentioned, and to settle peace through every part of your dominions, with all humility submitting to your Majesty’s wise consideration, whether it may not be expedient for facilitating those important purposes, that your Majesty be pleased to direct some mode by which the united applications of your faithful colonists to the throne, in pursuance of their common councils, may be improved into a happy and permanent reconciliation; and that in the meantime measures be taken for preventing the further destruction of the lives of your Majesty’s subjects; and that such statutes as more immediately distress any of your Majestys colonies be repealed…
A Cloud hangs over your Heads and ours; ‘ere this reaches you, it may probably burst upon us; let us then (before the remembrance of former Kindness is obliterated) once more repeat those Appellations which are ever grateful in our Ears; let us entreat Heaven to avert our Ruin, and the Destruction that threatens our Friends, Brethren and Countrymen, on the other side of the Atlantic.
When is Independence Day?
Well, it’s July 4th, but you could say that it’s really July 2nd. That’s the day when the Continental Congress actually voted to become independent. (Actually, they voted that they already were “Free and Independent States”.) John Adams, who had been working for quite a while to get Congress to declare independence, wrote:
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
So why don’t we celebrate July 2nd? Because of the Declaration of Independence. The things said in the Declaration are a whole lot more inspiring and famous than simply a vote saying that the colonies were independent of Great Britain. And the Declaration was finished (though not signed) on July 4th.
So which day is the real Independence Day? Take your pick; it doesn’t really matter. After all, it’s really the independence that should be celebrated, not just the day.
Source: “John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-02-02-0016. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Adams Family Correspondence, vol. 2, June 1776 – March 1778, ed. L. H. Butterfield. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1963, pp. 29–33.]
Note: “Epocha” means “a memorable event or date”.
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.
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.
“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.]
You can view images of the actual letter on the Massachusetts Historical Society website.
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.
“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.]
“True quacks”, “headless beings”, “tools to do [the King’s] dirty work” — all of these were terms that someone used to describe the high officials of the British government (and the same person said that it was “like man like master”, meaning that King George III was just as bad as they were):
When the Parliament met, I was in hopes the manly Address of the General Congress [that is, a petition from the Continental Congress] to the King, and that to the people of England, would have opened their eyes, and have led them to apply a remedy suitable to the disease; but instead of that, what have they done? Like true quacks, they deal in inflammatories, and attempt to heal by exasperating the evil they should cure…. Never, sure, were Ministers [that is, the top officials in the British government] more infatuated than those headless beings who manage the affairs of England…. Don Quixote like, they are obstinately bent on fighting wind-mills; and no wonder if they get broken heads in the encounter. Were they alone to smart, it were no great matter; but the mischief is, that I fear they will draw down irreparable evils upon both Englands. Lord North is only a tool to do the dirty work of his more dirty superiours; and the precious Parliament are, in their place, the tools to do his dirty work in return, for the pay he gives them.
Politics can be nasty, and I certainly won’t disagree that today’s American politics are very much so; but nastiness in politics didn’t start yesterday; it’s been around for ages, as shown by this letter.
The writer of this letter, who I think was probably either an Englishman or an American, was in Holland at the time, writing to the Reverend William Gordon of Roxbury, Massachusetts (who later wrote a history of the Revolutionary War).
“Extract of a Letter from Holland, of May 2, 1775, to the Rev. Mr. William Gordon, of Roxbury.” American Archives, ed. Peter Force, Series 4, Volume 2, 462-3.
