This post has just turned into another daily political thread, which we already had. Comments are now closed.
The colonies had been in conflict with England for over a year in June of 1776. A Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on June 7 of that year. Richard Henry Lee from Virginia offered up a resolution with these now famous words:
“Resolved: 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 connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”
Lee’s words spurred the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. A committee of five was appointed to draft a statement making the case for the colonies, a statement to the world of the intent and the reason behind that intent.
Members of the Committee were John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Jefferson took on the task of actually drafting the document as we know it today.
The Continental Congress reconvened on July 1, 1776, and on the following day, the resolution for independence by Lee was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies, with New York not voting. Minor changes were made to the Jefferson document.
Work on the document continued through July 3 and into the afternoon of July 4, when the Declaration was officially adopted by the Congress. Of the 13 colonies, nine voted in favor of the Declaration, two — Pennsylvania and South Carolina — voted No, Delaware was undecided, and New York again abstained.
As we all know, John Hancock, President of the Congress made his signature large enough for King George to read “without his spectacles.”
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. – Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
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 dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
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 erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and 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 connection 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.
The complete list of those who signed were:
John Hancock (president of the Continental Congress), Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery, Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott, William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris, Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross, Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean, Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.
Check out this link for the sobering fate of many of those who so pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. [H/T to TheOriginalG-d&Country for this source.]
Those are the facts about our Declaration of Independence, the history that we as school children have learned since the creation of this great nation that we celebrate, that we love and honor so.
Usually we humans can’t adequately find words to express our own sentiments, let alone those of a nation and successive generations to come, but Jefferson and that Continental Congress did just that.
The words have stood throughout several centuries as a clarion call for freedom, for breaking free of tyranny, for men to put aside their individual causes and join together to battle for the right of every man, woman and child together to become a people united in goal and resolve.
Today as we celebrate, today as we pledge allegiance to a flag that has gone from 13 stars to 50, may we remember not only the sacrifice, but the resolve. May we honor not only the words, but the unity and deeds of our forefathers. May each of us dig deep into our hearts and work out our differences for the betterment of our nation and our children and grandchildren.
Say a prayer for America today. Rekindle hope today. Honor the past by determining the future.
Please remember that this is a post in honor of our Independence Day. No political content, no rants, so slamming the other side. Today we are just Americans, honoring our country and each other.
Boston Massacre Trial from Sam Adams HBO Series. Were the Redcoats really the murderers or the victims?
Scene 1:
https://youtube.com/watchv=jVuqo4PR9_I&feature=share
Scene 2:
About 5 minutes each!
I have this beautifully matted and framed in my living room.
I want one of him with the lion.
I have this and several others from John McNaughton! Don’t agree with the Bolton image though.
First thing I noticed. John Bolton behind Trump with a shotgun. Somewhat prophetic.
Hard not to miss; unfortunately, many of those rowing proved to be traitors to the cause; Pence appears to be at the rudder.
Love it! Saying a prayer for our country.
Scene 1:
Don’t know why the first one is screwed up. This one works!
Watching HBO for historical accuracy is like watching CNN for real news.
For The Fourth of July, The Fourth of July by Charles Ives!
His four symphonies are highly recommended, along with other works e.g. The Concord Sonata, The Unanswered Question, and The Robert Browning Overture.
The grievances in 1776 seem strikingly familiar to what we are experiencing today from mad King Ding Dong in DC.
Yep!
May God bless these United States of America!!
Thank you Menagerie!
Happy Independence Day Treepers!
Thank you, Sundance. The link you posted is a must read.
God bless our warrior President Trump!
The last sentence is the one that should make us all stop and pause… 56 brave men gave everything for us… with full reliance upon Almighty God. So should we… !!!
For those who see the USA as too far gone, from a Constitutional or Freedom perspective, to celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s founding, may I suggest that you do so anyway so as to rebut the false claims of the 1619 radicals?
In one of my Dad’s last public sermons before he died, his emaciated body melting in his wheelchair in the hot August sun under the Air Force Memorial in DC for his WW II Reunion, his topic was that God has raised up these men “for such a time as this.”
I find myself often wondering whether God is still raising up men – and yes, women – for our own “such a time as this.”
Did you in any way capture that sermon?
Thank you for his service. Both to God and his nation “under God.”
Far too few.
Twit?
How incredibly blessed we have been…just to be born here.
RIP Willie
Not too long ago, I was asked by an acquaintance who knew I was a retired Marine whether I still flew our flag. I asked him ‘why wouldn’t I’?
He explained that it didn’t seem worth it given the state of our country today. I told him this:
‘The day you stop flying Old Glory, you might as well raise a white flag. And surrender is not in my DNA’.
May God bless our great Republic and each one of you!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
But it’s not a Republic anymore….
Underneath all the repugnant to the constitution “acts” and “bills “ passed by the US INC., a corporation, lies the republic. We must dig it out from under all this debris!
I would challenge you to remember that, in truth, it is “less than a few thousand men and women” who are right now saying these things to “more than 335 million others.”
Since the day that they were born, most of them have only known “privilege.” Which they stole from the hands of people they never knew.
These people now stand upon the beach, looking confidently at their mansions upon the shore. It never occurs to any of them to turn around and look out to sea. They do not consider it strange that “the water is now lapping at their feet, when ordinarily at this time of day it does not do so …” They think nothing of it. 💀
It is a shame that the value of our nation, our founding principles and doctrines, the incredible uniqueness of what they achieved with our founding, is being denied to most children.
I implore all parents, grandparents or if you have kids in your sphere, please fill the gap that is being left by its removal in the education system.
I was blessed to have a family that debated these things, spoke of them often.
Not a holiday went by that a prayer wasn’t said in appreciation for the founders and the servicemen protecting those values. Prayers were said at other times as well but saying them in front of family members who were less thankful was impactful.
That parades and patriotism are being squelched is not accident. It is, as is most, by design.
A study proved that each parade a child attended increased the likelihood of that child being a Republican. I remember hearing Rush discuss it.
No surprise that pride month with parades are replacing the 4th of July celebrations.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/fourth-july-makes-republicans-study/story?id=13979855
Take your kids to air shows and 4th of July celebrations, please!
Air shows are just the greatest experience – we went to them when I was a child – my Dad had a pilot’s license and a Bonanza – plus his plant was next door to a small airport – thrilling reverberations that remain long after the afterburners have faded from view!
They really are! So glad you got to enjoy them, as well.
My dad loved airshows and took my brother and I to them often. He caused my interest in flying and eventually I got my private pilot’s license. I met my husband because he flew.
We went to Oshkosh every summer for almost 20 years attending the air shows. Love of county was all around.
Same for the Reno Air Races where I first heard the song Proud to be an American.
That sounds wonderful and kudos for getting your pilot’s license!
When my husband and I were stationed in England, 4th of July was the biggest holiday next to Christmas.
We held an airshow, a carnival and always had a fantastic fireworks display, albeit at 11pm because the days are quite long in summer.
My children were privileged to live in and learn the culture of another country, while still experiencing the camaraderie of Americans on the anniversary of our nation.
What a boon for your kids! There is nothing quite like bonding with fellow Americans while overseas. I’m glad they went all out for the 4th of July celebration.
I think it’s official. Air shows and patriotism go hand in hand.
Thanks to you all for sharing your experiences. It’s brought back fond memories of my own. I hope it encourages others to partake.
I hate to say it … but re-reading the Declaration convinces me that we are at another of those times in our country’s history … an inflection point. Our government is no longer operating by the consent of the governed and it is one of those rare times for The People to re-declare their Independence.
Happy Independence Day my fellow Treepers! May we all have the courage to risk government/corporate seizure of our bank accounts should we choose to rebel.
Sit with your children, grandchildren and anyone within hearing and read the document, slowly, stopping for questions, with an old, encyclopedic dictionary at hand (perhaps the Internet at the ready for consultation), spend an hour or longer, have a good drink, a glass of wine, a cup of coffee/hot chocolate, or just fresh water. But spend the time trying to imagine what the patriots in the assembly were all thinking as the document was being read. Then read Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death Speech by Patrick Henry to the Second Virginia Revolutionary Convention meeting at St. John’s Church, Richmond, on March 23, 1775. Meditate in what is read and pray the Lord will fix your heart in what is important in this world (hint: not the barbecue, nor the beer nor the beach, etc) and resolve to pursue those weightier matters in this world before you are called to the Next (which will come sooner than you may think). Don’t just enjoy the gift (e.g. barbecue) without seeking the will of the Giver and His cause (which includes freedom from many forms of oppression).
We told the King to kiss our collective a$$es in 1776, then had to kick his all the way to Yorktown and beyond. He still didn’t quite get the message and we had to kick his arse again in the war of 1812. From time to time the tree of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Psalm 33:12-22
New King James Version
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
14 From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
15 He fashions their hearts individually;
He [a]considers all their works.
16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a [b]vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
19 To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033%3A12-22&version=NKJV
Happy Fourth of July SD and Menagerie and fellow Treepers!
Independence Day
In 1776, fifty-six men, representing three million people, voted to adopt one of the most revolutionary documents in history: the Declaration of Independence. If the fledgling colonies succeeded in defending themselves from the most powerful nation on earth, it was worth the risk. If they failed, these fifty-six men were signing their death warrants.
The level of the signers’ commitment and their willingness to sacrifice in order to secure liberty under God’s law is evident in the final words of their declaration: “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.”
They trusted in God and laid it all on the line. It will take courage, sacrifice, and, above all, trust in the Lord to turn things around in this country. The late Dr. M. E. Bradford of the University of Dallas researched the founding fathers, including the Christian commitments of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He concluded that of the fifty-six men who signed the nation’s birth certificate, definitely fifty, maybe fifty-two, were Trinitarian Christians. Other scholars note that 29 of them had the equivalent of seminary degrees.
Paul Johnson, author of A History of the American People, says, “There is no question that the Declaration of Independence was, to those who signed it, a religious as well as a secular act…” Thank God for our freedom, which was bought by God and by their sacrifice.
Thank You, God, for this nation and the freedom secured for us by the signers of the Declaration of Independence. May we always depend on You and Your Providence. Help us, Lord, to do our part to work toward renewal of this great country…
“BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN PLEDGE TO HIM OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR.”
Excerpted from The Rev. D. James Kennedy daily devotions.
Our Nation’s Birth Certificate! I like that! And it’s a lot more REAL than that fake birth certificate Obama created to deflect PDJT’s unwavering demand to see some documentation. It’s utter rubbish … Obama wasn’t born here.
The “physical” challenge THEN was invasion from ‘without’. It has changed to “Invasion from Within” and is FAR, FAR more Dangerous and Difficult, and The People have proven to be MUCH softer (so far).
From the “Sydney Morning Herald” 30 years ago today -thinking of the brave young people who wanted what America has – the young man who confronted the tanks is featured – I had never found his name before, Ken Xu – per the article, he made it to Sydney.
Everyone should read the list of offenses committed by the Crown in the Declaration, and think about how many are now being committed by our own Government….
https://www.history.com/news/declaration-independence-printed
FTA “The 1776 “engrossed” copy of the Declaration of Independence—sometimes referred to as the “official” or “signed parchment” version—stands on display in the rotunda of the National Archives Museum, providing inspiration to those who, like Abraham Lincoln, view it as “a rebuke and a stumbling-block…to tyranny and oppression.” Sealed in a gold-plated titanium frame, with bulletproof glass and cutting-edge safeguards against light and moisture, it remains under constant surveillance by armed guards and security cameras. Every night, it is lowered into a vault (along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, considered the other essential founding documents of the United States). Arguably no other texts in the world receive the same level of protection.
When the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the manuscript was immediately rushed to the nearby shop of John Dunlap, who printed an estimated 200 poster-sized copies that night. These so-called Dunlap broadsides were then distributed throughout the 13 former colonies, including to General George Washington and his troops, and across the Atlantic as well. By July 6, newspapers had likewise begun publishing the declaration in their pages.
But although the Dunlap broadside constituted the first public version of the declaration, it used simple type and didn’t include the names of the congressional delegates who had approved it. For a more official, formal version, the Continental Congress ordered on July 19 that the declaration be “fairly engrossed on parchment”—meaning it was to be painstakingly and ornately handwritten on animal skin—and signed by each delegate.
The scribe for this job is believed to have been Timothy Matlack, an assistant to the secretary of the Congress, who completed the task by August 2. Starting with John Hancock, 56 delegates, including a couple who opposed independence and others who missed the vote, then put their signatures on the document.”
Interesting history lesson on how our Declaration of Independence was first printed then hand written and signed!!!
Thank you Bubby for the history lesson. Can envision all the Dunlap broadsides being hurredly posted through the Colonies, and people curiously approaching to read them.
Thank You.
We should be pleased that we are separated from the formerly great Britain. Politician Nigel Farage has been a thorn in the side of the UK establishment for too long, apparently, and The Regime is exacting punishment.
Farage has been informed that he will no longer have accounts at the bank where he has been since 1980, and nine other banks have refused to open his account with them. Authoritarianism, totalitarianism have been on the rise in the U.S.A. as well; is this our future?
https://doomberg.substack.com/p/youre-next
The founders could have been talking about Biden’s regime.
These words, imho, completely exonerate PDJT and any J6 prisoners, as it is any person’s right to question, and when found lacking, to denounce the political bands which have become constricting, oppressive and unbearable in G-d’s eyes.
It has been mentioned that some of the grievances given for our Independence are similar to what we see from the current administration and some members of Congress..
I’m a direct descendent of one of the signers, Richard Stockton. He lost his home, his land, was thrown into a British prison that floated in New York Harbor in unimaginable conditions and utterly lost his health in just a few short months. He died a few years later penniless. He knew this was a possibility, yet he signed the Declaration of Independence like boss.
“–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the CONSENT of the governed, –”
Happy Independence Day!
This Independence Day, I humbly lift my silent petition – each of you already know what it contains – before my God and I pray to Him for deliverance. Clinging to the hope that, were it not for His Deliverance – repeated many times – our Nation would not now exist at all.
There is Hope … and reason for Confidence.
The evil men and women who now conspire against us actually number in, “maybe, a few thousand.” And a great many of the most influential of them, whether they like it or not or acknowledge it or not, are “at the very end of their appointed days.”
Against them silently stand more than 335 million others, both young and old. When these people finally assert the authority that our prescient forefathers gifted to them in the delicate-yet-strong foundations of this Government (as originally conceived), nothing can stand against them. Not even “enemies within the gates.”
“Heavenly Father, tarry not!”
Let those who one day write this chapter in our Nation’s ongoing history mock them with resounding laughter and ridicule. As, by then, “the LORD’s deliverance” is seen as having been “inevitable.”
Menagerie,
Th❤️nk you so much for sharing your patriotism;
It’s really a beautiful thing,
and
for the words and our founding history.
God bless you
and
God, Bless America 🇺🇸
Happy 4th of July America! Here’s a video of fireworks at Mount Rushmore with President Trump. 🇺🇸https://rumble.com/v1b301c-mount-rushmore-fireworks-show-and-battle-hymn-of-the-republic-by-usaf-acade.html
clarifying information about Thomas Nelson, Jr:
https://www.nps.gov/york/learn/historyculture/nelson-house.htm
We celebrate our freedom today.
I just watched the Sound Of Freedom – freedom from sex slavery.
The movie emotionally drew me in – not because of some music that forebodes scary scenes, but because of the quiet words spoken or not spoken which resonated in my heart.
I’ve watched many of Jim Caviezel’s interviews and thought how can I really do anything regarding sex slavery.
See the movie. Don’t skip out before the credits rolls, because a screen note at bottom right appears “SPECIAL MESSAGE” with a 2:00 minute countdown time.
Jim Caviezel addresses what we are feeling and how we are to go forth. I won’t spoil his message. See the movie and pay it forward if possible on Angel.com/Freedom. This movie was extremely well done.
Jim Caviezel did say that more children are sold into sex slavery today than there were slaves in this country when it was legal. May God’s will and vengeance be done against slave traffickers. My God have mercy on the children.
Also, one can see where a cannonball was lodged into Thomas Nelson’s house after Nelson instructed Washington to fire on Nelson’s house because Cornwallis had taken up post there:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60775-d13077911-Reviews-or5-Nelson_House-Yorktown_Virginia.html
And, two of the signers died on the same day, July 4, 1826, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams :
https://www.history.com/news/july-4-two-presidents-died-same-day-coincidence
This was sent to me and think it’s worthy of reading today.
“Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: ‘For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.’”
Michael W Smith
Some additional information about the Declaration here:
https://news.virginia.edu/content/hoo-what-where-explore-rare-copy-declaration-independence
“INSANE Fireworks, Los Angeles, California, 🇺🇸4th of July 2020🇺🇸”
(Musical Background The Star Spangled Banner)
We missed the July 4th recipe post!
But….nevertheless….
Wishing all Treepers a very happy and everlasting Independence Day!
Cheers to our forefathers, the awe-inspiring qualities they possessed which gave birth to our homeland, and the Constitution they wrote that forged our national identity.
Not least….To our flag, and the Republic for which it stands! One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
With deepest thanks and acknowledgement to the Most High God Almighty, begging his continued blessings and protection upon the land of the brave and the home of the free, for we are only so because of him.
Happy 4th!!
I saw a convoy of trucks and motorcycles today proudly flying the stars and stripes, Gadsden flags and pro Trump banners and they were joyful, spirited and full of American pride. They made me feel the same way to see these patriots. God Bless America.