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against them that persecute me; say unto my soul, I am thy Salvation." After a week the delegates were beginning to assess one another and the inevitable polarization of radicals and moderates was taking shape. John Adams wrote to his wife, "There is in the Congress a collection of the greatest men upon this continent in point of ability, virtues and fortunes." Washington was described as standing over six feet with a very young look and an easy soldier-like air and gesture. He spoke very modestly and with a cool but determined style and accent. Patrick Henry spoke with a musical voice and style. He was an inspiration. Much of the business was done out of doors before and during dinner. Even the moderates agreed that some of Gage's activities were unnecessarily provocative. So they addressed a letter to the General, charging him with attempting to precipitate armed conflict by fortifying the town of Boston and allowing his troops to inflict indignities upon the peace-loving citizens. Congress approved on October 14, by unanimous vote, a document entitled "Declarations and Resolves." This set forth the "Rights" of the inhabitants of the Colonies which are derived from the "immutable laws of nature, the principles of the English Constitution and the several charters and compacts."
These included:
1) The right to dispose of their own lives, liberty and property.
2) Enjoyment of all the freedom and immunities of natural-born Englishmen.
3) The right to participate in their own legislative counsels.
4) The right of trial by jury and their peers.
5) The right to peaceably assemble to consider their grievances
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and to petition the king.
The Congress also resolved that the keeping of a standing army in these Colonies in times of peace without the consent of the legislature concerned was illegal. Effective the first day of December, there was to be no importation from Great Britain of any goods whatsoever. The Sons of Liberty on October 15, who planned and directed mob violence, became impatient upon discovering that the Brig, Peggy Stewart, had arrived in Annapolis with a load of tea. They ordered the ship's owners to run her aground and burn her to the water's edge.
General Gage in mid-September reported that, "I have done all that I can do to get government on a firm footing and enforce the laws, but the arrival of the late Acts overset the whole and the flame burst out in all parts at once beyond the conception of every Body. The disease is so universal there is no knowing where to apply a remedy." He now attempted to build barracks for his troops but there was little progress. Gangs were "burning the straw and sinking the boats with bricks." They were "overturning the wood carts." He kept his troops in hand but many more were needed. On chilly October nights most British troops were still in tents on the common. Boston was now swarming with Redcoats. The more radical citizens did all they could to annoy, insult and harass the troops short of actually attacking them. Gage's younger officers called for action. By November the entire province was up in arms. Most men from age 16 to 60 were armed and obliged to train at stated times. In the middle and southern colonies men were likewise arming--militia units were forming, and powder and ball ammunition was being collected and hidden. One gentle
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man in Philadelphia sent a Christmas message to his London friend: "There cannot be a greater error than to suppose that the present commotions in America are owing to the acts of demigods. It is no purpose to attempt to destroy the opposition
by taking off our Hancocks, Adams, and Dickinsons.
Cont. on page 4
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