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Declaration of Independence (view source)
Revision as of 13:42, September 1, 2017
, 13:42, September 1, 2017Spelling, Grammar, and General Cleanup, typos fixed: distributers → distributors, ,, → ,
==May 15th resolution==
==May 15th resolution==
On May 15th, [[John Adams]] wrote a preamble stating that because of the king's continued efforts to reject all efforts at reconciliation, independence from the crown was inevitable.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC&pg=PA551 The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited)]</ref>
On May 15, [[John Adams]] wrote a preamble stating that because of the king's continued efforts to reject all efforts at reconciliation, independence from the crown was inevitable.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC&pg=PA551 The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited)]</ref>
==Writing the Declaration==
==Writing the Declaration==
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: '''Preamble or preface'''<ref>President [[Woodrow Wilson]] referred to the preface of the document as something you should overlook.</ref>:
: '''Preamble or preface''':<ref>President [[Woodrow Wilson]] referred to the preface of the document as something you should overlook.</ref>
An expression of timeless truths that transcend all ages and generations.
An expression of timeless truths that transcend all ages and generations.
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He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
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On May 20th, 1774, Parliament passed the [[Massachusetts Government Act]], which nullified the Massachusetts Charter of 1691<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=DdgWAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA121 Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, Volume I: To 1877, Concise Edition]</ref> and allowed governor [[Thomas Gage]] to dissolve the local provincial assembly and force them to meet in Salem.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=xNgCe8-jguUC&pg=PA27 Lexington: From Liberty's Birthplace to Progressive Suburb]</ref>
On May 20, 1774, Parliament passed the [[Massachusetts Government Act]], which nullified the Massachusetts Charter of 1691<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=DdgWAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA121 Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, Volume I: To 1877, Concise Edition]</ref> and allowed governor [[Thomas Gage]] to dissolve the local provincial assembly and force them to meet in Salem.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=xNgCe8-jguUC&pg=PA27 Lexington: From Liberty's Birthplace to Progressive Suburb]</ref>
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When the British government became informed of the fact that the Assembly of Massachusetts in 1768 had issued a circular to other Assemblies, inviting their co operation in asserting the principle that Great Britain had no right to tax the colonists without their consent, Lord Hillsborough, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, was directed to order the governor of Massachusetts to require the Assembly of that province to rescind its obnoxious resolutions expressed in the circular. In case of their refusal to do so, the governor was ordered to dissolve them immediately. Other Assemblies were warned not to imitate that of Massachusetts, and when they refused to accede to the wishes of the king, as expressed by the several royal governors, they were repeatedly dissolved. The Assemblies of Virginia and North Carolina were dissolved for denying the right of the king to tax the colonies, or to remove offenders out of the country for trial. In 1774, when the several Assemblies entertained the proposition to elect delegates to a general Congress, nearly all of them were dissolved.<ref name="Lossing">[https://books.google.com/books?id=tyIoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1824 Our Country: A Household History for All Readers, from the Discovery of America to the Present Time, Volume 1], by [[Benson John Lossing]]</ref>
When the British government became informed of the fact that the Assembly of Massachusetts in 1768 had issued a circular to other Assemblies, inviting their co operation in asserting the principle that Great Britain had no right to tax the colonists without their consent, Lord Hillsborough, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, was directed to order the governor of Massachusetts to require the Assembly of that province to rescind its obnoxious resolutions expressed in the circular. In case of their refusal to do so, the governor was ordered to dissolve them immediately. Other Assemblies were warned not to imitate that of Massachusetts, and when they refused to accede to the wishes of the king, as expressed by the several royal governors, they were repeatedly dissolved. The Assemblies of Virginia and North Carolina were dissolved for denying the right of the king to tax the colonies, or to remove offenders out of the country for trial. In 1774, when the several Assemblies entertained the proposition to elect delegates to a general Congress, nearly all of them were dissolved.<ref name="Lossing">[https://books.google.com/books?id=tyIoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1824 Our Country: A Household History for All Readers, from the Discovery of America to the Present Time, Volume 1], by [[Benson John Lossing]]</ref>
On May 31st, 1765, the Virginia House of Burgesses was dissolved by Royal Governor Francis Fauquier.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lq1rd1ecFCYC&pg=PA85 Profiles in Colonial History]</ref>
On May 31, 1765, the Virginia House of Burgesses was dissolved by Royal Governor Francis Fauquier.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lq1rd1ecFCYC&pg=PA85 Profiles in Colonial History]</ref>
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He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
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As we have observed, judges were made independent of the people. Royal governors were placed in the same position. Instead of checking their tendency to petty tyranny, by having them depend upon the Colonial Assemblies for their salaries, these were paid out of the national treasury. Independent of the people they had no sympathies with the people, and thus became fit instruments of oppression, and ready at all times to do the bidding of the king and his ministers. The Colonial Assemblies protested against the measure,, and out of the excitement which it produced grew that power of the Revolution, the Committees of Correspondence. In 1774, when Chief Justice Oliver of Massachusetts declared it to be his intention to receive his salary from the crown, the Assembly proceeded to impeach him and petitioned the governor for his removal. The governor refused compliance and great irritation ensued.<ref name="Lossing" />
As we have observed, judges were made independent of the people. Royal governors were placed in the same position. Instead of checking their tendency to petty tyranny, by having them depend upon the Colonial Assemblies for their salaries, these were paid out of the national treasury. Independent of the people they had no sympathies with the people, and thus became fit instruments of oppression, and ready at all times to do the bidding of the king and his ministers. The Colonial Assemblies protested against the measure, and out of the excitement which it produced grew that power of the Revolution, the Committees of Correspondence. In 1774, when Chief Justice Oliver of Massachusetts declared it to be his intention to receive his salary from the crown, the Assembly proceeded to impeach him and petitioned the governor for his removal. The governor refused compliance and great irritation ensued.<ref name="Lossing" />
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He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
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After the passage of the [[Stamp Act]], stamp distributers were appointed in every considerable town. In 1766 and 1767, acts for the collection of duties created "swarms of officers", all of whom received high salaries; and when in 1768, admiralty and vice admiralty courts were established on a new basis, an increase in the number of officers was made. The high salaries and extensive perquisites of all of these, were paid with the people's money, and thus "swarms of officers" "eat out their substance."<ref name="Lossing" />
After the passage of the [[Stamp Act]], stamp distributors were appointed in every considerable town. In 1766 and 1767, acts for the collection of duties created "swarms of officers", all of whom received high salaries; and when in 1768, admiralty and vice admiralty courts were established on a new basis, an increase in the number of officers was made. The high salaries and extensive perquisites of all of these, were paid with the people's money, and thus "swarms of officers" "eat out their substance."<ref name="Lossing" />
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