Feature
By Tenth Amendment Center, 7-2-23
| Today in history, on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress passed the Richard Henry Lee resolution, which called for ties between Great Britain and the American states to be “totally dissolved.” Upon the decision to secede from the British crown, a somber mood swept through Independence Hall as the delegates realized their actions would be considered treasonous. Despite the prospect of death by hanging, the decision had been made. Mercy Otis Warren wrote this account of the event: “Their transactions might have been legally styled treasonable, but loyalty had lost its influence, and power its terrors. Firm and disinterested, intrepid and united, they stood ready to submit to the chances of war, and to sacrifice their devoted lives to preserve inviolate, and to transmit to posterity, the inherent rights of men, conferred on all by the God of nature, and the privileges of Englishmen, claimed by Americans from the sacred sanctions of compact.” |
| ARTICLE: Learn more about the Lee Resolution along with the full text of what the Second Continental Congress passed in this article by Dave Benner AUDIO/VIDEO PODCAST: on the Lee Resolution with background including debate over independence, and instructions from Virginia’s 5th Revolutionary Convention – find it here |
| MORE ESSENTIAL HISTORY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY |
| Declaration of Independence: Usurpation is Treason Although we generally refer to that list of abuses in the Declaration of Independence as “grievances” – that’s not how they were described in the text. Instead, they were referred to as “usurpations,” or a theft of power from the people. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Podcast and Video here |
| Of all the Acts of Parliament that angered the American colonists and led to the Revolutionary War, the Declaratory Act is possibly one of the most important, but probably the least-known. It attempted to affirm unlimited, centralized power over the colonies, and patriots repeatedly railed against its assertion of British power “in all cases whatsoever”Podcast and Video here |
| Conscience, Muse and First Lady of the Revolution: Mercy Otis WarrenMercy Otis Warren was one of the most formidable intellectuals in eighteenth-century America. Her prolific writing on the most important issues of the time, along with her massive history of the Revolution also earns her the title of America’s first female historian.Podcast and Video here |
| While many people believe that the American Revolution was all about the war, or even just the Declaration of Independence, John Adams pointed out the following: But what do We mean by the American Revolution? Do We mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People. A Change in their Religious Sentiments of their Duties and Obligations. … This radical Change in the Principles, Opinions Sentiments and Affection of the People, was the real American Revolution. And it all started as far back as February 1761 – with James Otis Jr.’s 5 hour speech against the Writs of Assistance. Podcast and Video here |
| While most people are pretty familiar with the Declaration of Independence on July 4th – and even the Lee Resolution of July 2nd – there were actually dozens of other “declarations” and resolutions in support of independence in the months leading up to that date. They came from towns, committees, militias, colonial assemblies and more.Podcast and Video here |
| Otis, Adams, Dickinson: The Massachusetts Circular LetterAfter John Dickinson urged them to take action in response to the Townshend Acts of 1767, James Otis, Jr. and Samuel Adams drafted the Massachusetts Circular Letter, which was sent to the other colonies – and London – on Feb 11, 1768. What transpired before, during and after is a little-known – but incredibly important – part of the march towards independence. Podcast and Video here |
| We hope you find this to be interesting and educational – each podcast and video episode has a bunch of reference links that are covered, so you can click through and read a lot more, in context on your own time. Wishing you, your family and loved ones, a happy, healthy and safe Independence Day! And before you go, please consider joining the TAC today. Our memberships start at just 2 bucks a month – we make every single dollar go a long, long way in support of the Constitution and liberty As we start our 18th year, your support guarantees we can keep building – brick by brick, person by person, state by state – for the Constitution and liberty. Today, and every single day of the year. JOIN US HERE THANK YOU for reading and for your support! Concordia res parvae crescunt (small things grow great by concord) -Michael, Mike, Dave, TJ, Alan and the rest of the TAC Team Happy Independence Day! |
| P.S. If you prefer a one-time donation, you can pitch in online at this link: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/donate/ You can also mail a check to: Tenth Amendment Center 16755 Von Karman Avenue Suite 200 PMB 705 Irvine, CA 92606 |
