Part 3 (1/2)

In order to work together to better advantage, the colonies agreed that each should send to a great meeting some of their strongest men to talk over their troubles and work out some plan of united action. This meeting, which was called the First Continental Congress, was held at Carpenters'

Hall, Philadelphia (1774).

Samuel Adams and his cousin, John Adams, were two of the four men that Ma.s.sachusetts sent. They began their journey from Boston in a coach drawn by four horses. In front rode two white servants, well mounted and bearing arms; while behind were four black servants in livery, two on horseback and two as footmen. Such was the manner of colonial gentlemen.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia.]

As they journeyed through the country the people honored them in many ways. From some of the larger towns officials and citizens rode out on horseback and in carriages to meet them and act as escort; and on reaching a town they were feasted at banquets and greeted by gleaming bonfires, the ringing of bells, and the firing of cannon. These celebrations showed honor not to the men alone but to the cause.

The First Continental Congress, to which these messengers were travelling, urged the people to stand together in resisting the attempt of King George and Parliament to force them to pay taxes which they had had no share in laying. They added: ”We have the right not only to tax ourselves, but also to govern ourselves.”

With all these movements Samuel Adams was in sympathy. He went even further, for at this time he was almost or quite alone in his desire for independence, and he has well been called the ”Father of the Revolution.”

Perhaps we think of him especially in connection with the Boston Tea Party, but his influence for the good of his country lasted far beyond that time.

Till the close of his life he was an earnest and sincere patriot. He died in 1803, at the age of eighty-one years. Not an orator like Patrick Henry, but a man of action like Was.h.i.+ngton, he had great power in dealing with men. Truly his life was one of great and heroic service to his country.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

1. In what respects were Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry unlike as boys?

2. Tell why Samuel Adams had great power over men.

3. What kind of man was George III? Why did he so strongly desire that the colonists should be compelled to pay a tax to England?

4. What was the tax law of 1767, and why did the colonists object to paying the new taxes?

5. What led up to the ”Boston Tea Party”? Imagine yourself one of the party, and tell what you did.

6. In what way did George III and Parliament punish Boston for throwing the tea overboard? How did the colonies help the people of Boston at this time?

7. What was the First Continental Congress, and what did it do?

8. What do you admire in Samuel Adams?

CHAPTER III

THE WAR BEGINS NEAR BOSTON

When Parliament pa.s.sed the Boston Port Bill, the King believed that such severe punishment would not only put a stop to further rebellious acts, but would cause the colonists to feel sorry for what they had done and incline them once more to obey him. Imagine his surprise and indignation at what followed!

As soon as General Gage ordered that the Ma.s.sachusetts a.s.sembly should hold no more meetings, the colonists made up their minds they would not be put down in this manner. They said: ”The King has broken up the a.s.sembly.

Very well. We will form a new governing body and give it a new name, the Provincial Congress.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: John Hanc.o.c.k.]

And what do you suppose the chief business of this Congress was? To make ready for war! An army was called for, and provision made that a certain number of the men enlisted should be prepared to leave their homes at a minute's notice. These men were called ”minute-men.”

Even while the patriots, for so the rebellious subjects of King George called themselves, were making these preparations, General Gage, who was in command of the British troops in Boston, had received orders from England to seize as traitors Samuel Adams and John Hanc.o.c.k, who were the most active leaders.