Revolutionary War Historical Article
The American Revolution Month-by-Month March 1775
By Compatriot Andrew "Andy" Stough
Gold Country Chapter No. 7 of the CSSAR
Slightly Edited by Peter Hymans
Editor's Note: This article was reprinted by Permission of the Gold Country Chapter No. 7 of the CSSAR
“There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged.
Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!
The war is inevitable-and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!”
Patrick Henry,
On the floor of the Virginia House of Burgesses, March 1775.
As spring unfolded from the harshness of winter to sunny days of spring so did the voice of resistors to any further reconciliation with the mother country. New England and particularly Boston town continued to denounce the government of King George III. The "Sons of Liberty" had for the most part risen above their roots of harassment to include such distinguished figures as Dr. Joseph Warren and John Adams who spoke on a higher plane. Sam Adams remained, but he was now less the rabble-rouser than a supporter of a more dignified approach to, what if it was not already rebellion, would soon become so.
Benjamin Franklin who had lived in London for some time and who had been conciliatory towards some rapprochement with King and Parliament abruptly changed his attitude after the old and ailing William Pitt, Earl Of Chatham, had been shamefully treated and Franklin besmirched in the House of Lords. Pitt presented what in all possibility was a bill that would have satisfied the colonies and the war averted. As Pitt sat after his speech, Lord Sandwich rose immediately, accusing Pitt of treasonous words which he insinuated were probably prepared by Dr. Franklin whom he pointed out in the audience. Pitt had prepared his own speech - now both he and Franklin were maligned. As Pitt had relinquished the floor it appeared that the Lords would overwhelmingly adopt his bill. However as a result of Sandwich's rebuttal speech Pitt's bill was rejected two to one. At that point Franklin realized that he would no longer be effective as a mediator and his support shifted to the side of the militants in Congress. Faced with the lack of any consideration by Parliament and upon hearing of the death of his wife Deborah in Philadelphia, Franklin realized that his work was finished in London decided that it was time to go home.
The King and his advisors were now faced in Congress with such men as Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, and the firebrand, Patrick Henry. Thomas Paine, noted as a rebel against established governments, was an Englishman who because of the colonial problem had immigrated to America. Paine was considered no great author but one who wrote in a language and terms that roused men against the corruption of governments. Nor was Paine the only one calling for overthrow of the current government. James Harrington and John Locke wrote that that men are entitled to a government by the people. Pamphlets, books and newspaper articles also debated the good and bad features of government as it pertained to the North American Colonies. Even clerics got into the act, some supporting the colonists while others supported the King. Such heresy against the king landed Harrington in prison where he died years later.
References: Robert Locke’s "George Washington’s War"; Jeffrey Sharma’s "Rise to Rebellion"; Edmund S. Morgan’s “The Birth Of The Republic;" Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.'s"“Almanac of American History"
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