declare, 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 connexion between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Josiah Bartlett, MASSACHUSETTS BAY. Samuel Adams, RHODE ISLAND, &C. Stephen Hopkins, CONNECTICUT. Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott. they declare these colonies to be? JOHN HANCOCK. NEW YORK. William Floyd, NEW JERSEY. Richard Stockton, PENNSYLVANIA. Robert Morris, For the support of this declaration, what did the signers of it pledge to each other? Which of them drew up this declaration? Give the names of the delegates from the several colonies. Sketch of the War-Adoption of the Articles of Confederation-Peace-State of the Country. The American revolution may properly be said to have been complete on the adoption of the Declaration of Independence; but it still remained to be defended by arms. The military operations which closed the year, were, the defeat of the Americans on Long Island, August 27; the capture of New York by the British forces under lord Howe, September 15; the battle of White Plains, October 28; and the battle of Trenton, December 26, in which general Washington gained a victory over the British army, capturing a large body of Hessians who were cantoned at Trenton; and soon after, January 3, 1777, the battle of Princeton, in which he gained another decisive victory over the British troops. The campaign of 1777 was more favorable to the Americans than that of the preceding year. Philadelphia had been taken by the British, September 27, and the Americans had been defeated on the Brandywine, September 11; also at Germantown, October 4; but the northern army were to a considerable degree successful. General Burgoyne, who commanded the British northern army, had taken possession of Ticonderoga, but, while pushing his successes southward, his progress was arrested at Saratoga, by the militia which had assembled there from various parts of New England for that purpose. These, with the regular troops, formed a respectable army, and was commanded by General Gates. After two severe actions, Burgoyne, finding himself enclosed with brave troops, surrendered to the Amercans his entire army of seven thousand men, on the 17th of October. Thus was cut off the communication which had been attempted to be kept up between New York and Canada. When the intelligence of this event reached Europe, the French government entered into treaties of amity and commerce with the United States, thus recognizing their existence as an independent nation. When the British ministry were informed that this treaty was on foot, they despatched commissioners to America to effect a reconciliation. But their offers were ⚫ not accepted. In the spring, a French fleet arrived, having on board about 5000 French troops, which had What was What military operations closed the year 1776? the result of the campaign in 1777? What celebrated engagement took place at Saratoga during this year? What treaty was entered into with France? What did the British minister then attempt to do? How were their offers treated? Whence did America receive been sent to assist America. In June, the British army left Philadelphia, with the intention of concentrating their forces at New York. While on their march, they were attacked by general Washington at Monmouth, on the 28th of June, and repulsed with great loss. Congress had hitherto consisted of delegates from thirteen independent states, with little more authority than that of advising the states to adopt certain measures. Money could not be raised without the consent of the states; which were held together by the force of circumstances, congress having no power to enforce obedience. But during the heat of the revolutionary contest, men were little disposed to discuss or scurutinize such subjects; and the people confided in the wisdom of congress, and yielded to their authority. But in order to give stability to the union, and to define more precisely the nature of the federal compact, and the powers of congress, the articles of confederation were agreed on by congress, November 15, 1777, and submitted to the state legislatures for ratification. The articles bear date July 6, 1778: they were ratified the same year by all the states except Delaware and Maryland; by the former in 1779, and by the latter the first of March, 1781; being nearly five years after the first action on the subject by congress. By these articles, the exclusive control of our foreign relations, the right to declare war and make peace, and the right to make requisitions of men and money, were confided to congress. But the confederation was in many respects defective. It did not possess the power to carry its own constitutional assistance? By whom were the British forces attacked at Monmouth? What led congress to propose a change in the government? When were the articles of confederation agreed on by congress? When were they ratified by the several states? What powers did they grant to congress? In what respect was the con measures into effect; for like all mere confederations, the decrees of the federal government operated on the states in their independent or sovereign capacity, and not upon individual citizens. But perhaps the greatest defect was the want of power to provide for defraying the expenses of the government. Congress had power "to ascertain the sums necessary to be raised for the service of the United States;" and to apportion the quota to each state: but as the power was reserved to the states to lay the taxes, and prescribe the time and manner of payment; it depended upon the good will of each of the legislatures of the thirteen independent states whether any measure of defence could be carried into operation. And, when danger from abroad was past, this confederacy was found to be incompetent to govern the country. In the same year Georgia was invaded, and Savannah, its capital, was taken by the British; and in the year following, (1779,) the south became the principal theatre of war. Depredations to a great extent were committed on the coasts, and a partisan warfare was carried on in the interior, but with no decisive results. In 1780, May 12, Charleston was taken by the British; and on the 19th of October, 1781, the contest was ended by the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, to the combined American and French forces under Washington and Rochambeau. In the following year, a treaty was concluded between Holland and the United States; and after long protracted negotiations, a treaty of peace was signed September 23, 1783, by which Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States of America. Honorably as What was When was Charleston federation defective? When was Savannah taken? the state of warfare in the south, in 1779? taken? What battle ended the contest between the two countries? When was the treaty with Holland concluded? When was the treaty of peace with Great Britain signed? What was the condi |
