DOCSLIB.ORG

Happy Independence

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Happy Independence Tidings Bayshore Presbyterian Church August 1, 2013 Inside This Issue Happy Independence Day 1 (Kind of…) Happy Independence Day…(Kind of) 1 This Sunday at Bayshore August 2nd marks the anniversary of the actual signing of the Declaration of Independence (at least for most of the signers). 1 Goings On… While no fireworks or Federal Holidays commemorate this event, it is one of the interesting bits of trivia surrounding this occasion, 2 Independence Day, cont. as are the following: 2 Crabs For a Cause The Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on July 4, 1776. 3 What is the Trinity Cafe? On July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and on the following day 12 of the 13 colonies 3 voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s motion for independence. They Said What? The delegates then spent the next two days debating and revising the language of a statement drafted by Thomas 3 Birthdays/Anniversaries/Prayers Jefferson. On July 4, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, and as a result the date is 3 Goings On, cont. celebrated as Independence Day. Nearly a month would go by, however, before the actual signing of the document took place. 3 Just Another Day on the Bayshore First, New York’s delegates didn’t officially give their support until July 9 because their home assembly hadn’t yet authorized 4 Volunteer List them to vote in favor of independence. Next, it took two weeks for the Declaration to be “engrossed”—written on parchment in This Sunday at Bayshore a clear hand. Most of the delegates signed on August 2, but several—Elbridge Gerry, Oliver Wolcott, Lewis Morris, Thomas 9:30 am Adult Sunday School McKean and Matthew Thornton—signed on a later date. (Two others, John Dickinson and Robert R. Livingston, never signed 10:30 am Traditional Worship /Children’s Sunday at all.) The signed parchment copy now resides at the National School/Communion Archives in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, alongside the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. *** See page 4 for volunteer list! More than one copy exists. Goings On… After the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the Join Debi Pridgen and Lona Elly the first Saturday of the “Committee of Five”—Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, month as they begin thinking and working on the ways to Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston— better use each of the rooms of this old house. “At First was charged with overseeing the Glance” will meet at 10:00 AM on the first Saturday, monthly, reproduction of the approved text. for an hour. This was completed at the shop of Philadelphia printer John Dunlap. Guest Musician On July 5, Dunlap’s copies were dispatched across the 13 colonies We are honored to have Mr. James W. Sims as our tenor soloist to newspapers, local officials and this Sunday! Jim lives in Apollo Beach, FL part of the year, the commanders of the Continental however he and his wife Regine live in Germany most of the troops. These rare documents, year - where they are professional musicians performing known as “Dunlap broadsides,” predate the engrossed version extensively throughout Europe in concerts, operas, oratorios , signed by the delegates. Of the and also conducting orchestras! hundreds thought to have been printed on the night of July 4, only Our FOOD OF THE MONTH for Metropolitan Ministries is 26 copies survive. Most are held Gatorade. Let’s continue our track record of generous in museum and library collections, giving! but three are privately owned. When news of the Declaration of Independence reached New York The Declaration of Independence spent World War II in City, it started a riot. Fort Knox. By July 9, 1776, a copy of the Declaration of Independence had On December 23, 1941, just over two weeks after the reached New York City. With hundreds of British naval ships Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the signed Declaration, occupying New York Harbor, revolutionary together with the Constitution, was removed from public spirit and military tensions were running high. display and prepared for evacuation out of Washington, D.C. George Washington, commander of the Under the supervision of armed guards, the founding Continental forces in New York, read the document was packed in a , document aloud in front of City Hall. A specially designed container, raucous crowd cheered the inspiring words, latched with padlocks, sealed and later that day tore down a nearby statue with lead and placed in a larger of George III. The statue was subsequently box. All told, 150 pounds of melted down and shaped into more than 4 protective gear surrounded the 2,000 musket balls for the fledgling American parchment. On December 26 army. and 27, accompanied by Secret Service agents, it traveled by train to Louisville, Kentucky, Eight of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were where a cavalry troop of the 13th Armored Division escorted born in Britain. it to Fort Knox. The Declaration was returned to Washington, While the majority of the members of D.C., in 1944. the Second Continental Congress were native-born Americans, eight of the men There is something written on the back of the voting for independence from Britain Declaration of Independence. were born there. Gwinnett Button and In the movie “National Treasure,” Nicholas Cage’s character Robert Morris were born in England, claims that the back of the Declaration contains a treasure Francis Lewis was born in Wales, map with encrypted instructions from the founding fathers, James Wilson and John Witherspoon written in invisible ink. Unfortunately, this is not the case. were born in Scotland, George Taylor There is, however, a simpler message, written upside-down John Witherspoon and Matthew Thornton were born in Presbyterian Minister across the bottom of the signed document: “Original Ireland and James Smith hailed from Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.” No one Northern Ireland. knows who exactly wrote this or when, but during the Revolutionary War years the parchment was frequently rolled One signer later recanted. up for transport. It’s thought that the text was added as a Richard Stockton, a lawyer from Princeton, label. Source: History.com New Jersey, became the only signer of the Declaration of Independence to recant his support of the revolution. On November 30, 1776, the hapless delegate was captured by the British and thrown in jail. After months of harsh treatment and meager rations, Stockton repudiated his signature on the Declaration of independence and swore his allegiance to Crabs For A Cause King George III. A broken man when he regained his freedom, he took a new oath Looking for something to do Saturday, rd of loyalty to the state of New Jersey in August 3 ? December 1777. How about investigating the inaugural Tampa Crab There was a 44-year age difference between the youngest and Enchilado Feast, going on from noon to 5:00 pm on the oldest signers. Hillsborough River at the Tampa Cruis a Cade Club, 700 W. The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, 70 years old when he Ross Avenue? scrawled his name on the parchment. The youngest was Edward Rutledge, a lawyer from South Carolina who was only 26 at the time. What, you may ask, is a Crab Rutledge narrowly beat out fellow South Carolinian Thomas Lynch Jr., Enchilado? Also known as Crab just four months his senior, for the title. Chilau, it is a crab entrée – an original Tampa fusion food of blue Two additional copies have been found in the last 25 years. crabs and tomato sauce; salad; In 1989, a Philadelphia man found an original Dunlap Broadside hidden and fresh Cuban bread. in the back of a picture frame he bought at a flea market for $4. One This event is open to the public, but will be limited to 500 of the few surviving copies from the people. Tickets cost $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the official first printing of the Declaration, door. Part of the proceeds will benefit Trinity Café, which it was in excellent condition and sold feeds a hot, 3-course meal to about 200 homeless people for $8.1 million in 2000. A 26th known per day. (see related story, pg. 3) Dunlap broadside emerged at the British National Archives in 2009, The event also includes music by Judy Tampa & Bunko hidden for centuries in a box of papers Squad, Crabgrass Cowboys, Ray Viladonga and Linda captured from American colonists Pottsberg. Tickets are available at: Trinity Café, 2801 N. during the Revolutionary War. One of Nebraska Ave. between 11:00 am – 1:00pm M-F, Grownman three Dunlap broadsides at the National Studio, 6412 Central Avenue or contact Michelle Faedo ( one Archives, the copy remains there to this day. of the organizers) at [email protected] or 813 (784-6933). What is the Trinity Café? “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35 Trinity Cafe has been a beacon of hope and compassion in the Tampa Bay community since 2001. Trinity Cafe serves more than 200 hot, nutritious meals each and every weekday, including holidays. Anyone who comes to our door is welcome – without question or qualification. Since Trinity Cafe first began, it has served more than 862,000 meals. Nutritious meals are served to homeless, hungry, and working poor. The meals are prepared by a professional chef and served by volunteer servers. The guests sit at cloth covered tables set with china dishes and silverware.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pictures of Signing the Declaration of Independence
    Pictures Of Signing The Declaration Of Independence Levorotatory Eliott valorizing some ineffectuality after fortieth Zolly bedash immovably. Fox remains Izzyboiling: jaunt she that shunning garrets. her spurrier motored too lucidly? Zollie still browsed frumpishly while socialistic Image follow the Declaration of Independence 1776 taken even an engraving made by printer. Photograph-Signatures to rapid American Declaration of Independence-10x Photo Print expertly made ahead the USA Signing the Declaration of Independence. It would take six months for all the signatures to be compiled. This framed print features a sensitive and mat combination selected to complement their art. The Declaration of Independence Primary source American. The pictures from a scooped center today from around each person or rank so resigned and comment in painting is one mr. Find someone perfect Declaration Of Independence stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images Select from 10295 premium Declaration Of Independence of the highest quality. Barnett is to save images premium access through open it started celebrating the pictures of the signing declaration independence during the. Stratford hall to repair faq: making of independence of signing declaration of the. An expression of the American mind. Collect, curate and comment on your files. 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. European users agree to the data transfer policy. Your History Guide against the 1776 American Declaration of. Notice that the original Declaration is very worn and faded. United States of America.
    [Show full text]
  • Signers of the United States Declaration of Independence Table of Contents
    SIGNERS OF THE UNITED STATES DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 56 Men Who Risked It All Life, Family, Fortune, Health, Future Compiled by Bob Hampton First Edition - 2014 1 SIGNERS OF THE UNITED STATES DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTON Page Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...………………2 Overview………………………………………………………………………………...………..5 Painting by John Trumbull……………………………………………………………………...7 Summary of Aftermath……………………………………………….………………...……….8 Independence Day Quiz…………………………………………………….……...………...…11 NEW HAMPSHIRE Josiah Bartlett………………………………………………………………………………..…12 William Whipple..........................................................................................................................15 Matthew Thornton……………………………………………………………………...…........18 MASSACHUSETTS Samuel Adams………………………………………………………………………………..…21 John Adams………………………………………………………………………………..……25 John Hancock………………………………………………………………………………..….29 Robert Treat Paine………………………………………………………………………….….32 Elbridge Gerry……………………………………………………………………....…….……35 RHODE ISLAND Stephen Hopkins………………………………………………………………………….…….38 William Ellery……………………………………………………………………………….….41 CONNECTICUT Roger Sherman…………………………………………………………………………..……...45 Samuel Huntington…………………………………………………………………….……….48 William Williams……………………………………………………………………………….51 Oliver Wolcott…………………………………………………………………………….…….54 NEW YORK William Floyd………………………………………………………………………….………..57 Philip Livingston…………………………………………………………………………….….60 Francis Lewis…………………………………………………………………………....…..…..64 Lewis Morris………………………………………………………………………………….…67
    [Show full text]
  • Pen & Parchment: the Continental Congress
    Adams National Historical Park National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior PEN & PARCHMENT INDEX 555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 a Letter to Teacher a Themes, Goals, Objectives, and Program Description a Resources & Worksheets a Pre-Visit Materials a Post Visit Mterialss a Student Bibliography a Logistics a Directions a Other Places to Visit a Program Evaluation Dear Teacher, Adams National Historical Park is a unique setting where history comes to life. Our school pro- grams actively engage students in their own exciting and enriching learning process. We hope that stu- dents participating in this program will come to realize that communication, cooperation, sacrifice, and determination are necessary components in seeking justice and liberty. The American Revolution was one of the most daring popular movements in modern history. The Colonists were challenging one of the most powerful nations in the world. The Colonists had to decide whether to join other Patriots in the movement for independence or remain loyal to the King. It became a necessity for those that supported independence to find ways to help America win its war with Great Britain. To make the experiment of representative government work it was up to each citi- zen to determine the guiding principles for the new nation and communicate these beliefs to those chosen to speak for them at the Continental Congress. Those chosen to serve in the fledgling govern- ment had to use great statesmanship to follow the directions of those they represented while still find- ing common ground to unify the disparate colonies in a time of crisis. This symbiotic relationship between the people and those who represented them was perhaps best described by John Adams in a letter that he wrote from the Continental Congress to Abigail in 1774.
    [Show full text]
  • Patriots, Pioneers and Presidents Trail to Discover His Family to America in 1819, Settling in Cincinnati
    25 PLACES TO VISIT TO PLACES 25 MAP TRAIL POCKET including James Logan plaque, High Street, Lurgan FROM ULSTER ULSTER-SCOTS AND THE DECLARATION THE WAR OF 1 TO AMERICA 2 COLONIAL AMERICA 3 OF INDEPENDENCE 4 INDEPENDENCE ULSTER-SCOTS, The Ulster-Scots have always been a transatlantic people. Our first attempted Ulster-Scots played key roles in the settlement, The Ulster-Scots/Scotch-Irish contribution to the Patriot cause in the events The Ulster-Scots/Scotch-Irish played important roles in the military aspects of emigration was in 1636 when Eagle Wing sailed from Groomsport for New England administration and defence of Colonial America. leading up to and including the American War of Independence was immense. the War of Independence. General Richard Montgomery was the descendant of SCOTCH-IRISH but was forced back by bad weather. It was 1718 when over 100 families from the Probably born in County Donegal, Rev. Charles Cummings (1732–1812), a a Scottish cleric who moved to County Donegal in the 1600s. At a later stage the AND SCOTS-IRISH Bann and Foyle river valleys successfully reached New England in what can be James Logan (1674-1751) of Lurgan, County Armagh, worked closely with the Penn family in the Presbyterian minister in south-western Virginia, is believed to have drafted the family acquired an estate at Convoy in this county. Montgomery fought for the regarded as the first organised migration to bring families to the New World. development of Pennsylvania, encouraging many Ulster families, whom he believed well suited to frontier Fincastle Resolutions of January 1775, which have been described as the first Revolutionaries and was killed at the Battle of Quebec in 1775.
    [Show full text]
  • Time-Line of Important Dates in the History of Connecticut's Public
    IMPORTANT DATES IN THE use in the publick archives of the Colony” in HISTORY OF his office. CONNECTICUT’S PUBLIC August 16, 1774: Writing to Governor RECORDS AND STATE Trumbull from Wethersfield, Silas Deane ARCHIVES PROGRAMS reports that the “greater part” of correspondence of past governors and Journals of the House “have been long since used for wrappers.” Citing the lack of public records to document claims of the Colony, 1741: The Colonial Assembly directs the Deane urges the Governor and Assembly to Secretary of the Colony “to sort, date and file preserve public records. “We have,” he in proper order, all the ancient papers that argues, “a property in them, being written by now lye in disorder and unfiled in his office” persons in our employ, and our account.” before the next sessions beginning in October. The resolution provides five May 1779: Noting that Journals of the pounds “as a reward for his service.” House have “not in time past been secured and kept,” thus, resulting in the loss of 1769: General Assembly instructs Governor “many important transactions,” the General Jonathan Trumbull and Secretary George Assembly directs clerks of the House to Wyllys to work as a committee to “make a close, label, and hand over journals to the diligent search after all deeds of conveyance Secretary “to be kept with the archives and relative to the title of the lands granted by the public writings of the State.” Crown to this Colony by the royal charter.” The Assembly directs the committee to write 1794: Governor Trumbull’s son, David, the Colony’s agent in London to search for writes to Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Declaration of Independence
    The Declaration of Independence 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.ÐWe 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.ÐThat to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,ÐThat 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 shown, 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.Ð 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.
    [Show full text]
  • The United States Government Manual 2009/2010
    The United States Government Manual 2009/2010 Office of the Federal Register National Archives and Records Administration The artwork used in creating this cover are derivatives of two pieces of original artwork created by and copyrighted 2003 by Coordination/Art Director: Errol M. Beard, Artwork by: Craig S. Holmes specifically to commemorate the National Archives Building Rededication celebration held September 15-19, 2003. See Archives Store for prints of these images. VerDate Nov 24 2008 15:39 Oct 26, 2009 Jkt 217558 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6996 Sfmt 6996 M:\GOVMAN\217558\217558.000 APPS06 PsN: 217558 dkrause on GSDDPC29 with $$_JOB Revised September 15, 2009 Raymond A. Mosley, Director of the Federal Register. Adrienne C. Thomas, Acting Archivist of the United States. On the cover: This edition of The United States Government Manual marks the 75th anniversary of the National Archives and celebrates its important mission to ensure access to the essential documentation of Americans’ rights and the actions of their Government. The cover displays an image of the Rotunda and the Declaration Mural, one of the 1936 Faulkner Murals in the Rotunda at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Building in Washington, DC. The National Archives Rotunda is the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freeedom, have secured the the rights of the American people for more than two and a quarter centuries. In 2003, the National Archives completed a massive restoration effort that included conserving the parchment of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and re-encasing the documents in state-of-the-art containers.
    [Show full text]
  • Declaration of Independence Signed Date Thomas Jefferson
    Declaration Of Independence Signed Date Thomas Jefferson Rhizopod and gassier Webster desquamate, but Sterne inappositely plebeianize her psilocin. Which Jerrie ruralised so extortionately that Francis requote her logion? Hebert is heterophyllous: she outdriven gey and suberises her arytaenoids. He is that the leaderboard and national library director lillian bradshaw argued for daily stanford news, burned his legal career that independence declaration of men Written in June 1776 Thomas Jefferson's draft start the Declaration of. Meet Mary Katherine Goddard the only mortal who signed. The plot important and dramatic statement comes near right end but these United Colonies are and of right ought to gather Free and Independent States It declares a good break with Britain and thunder King and claims the powers of an independent country. This Fourth of July America needs to surrender its founding. Is the Declaration of Independence in quotes? Two withstand the signers would become president Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. At a prompt date bear in the nineteenth century Jefferson indicated in the. Who did Thomas Jefferson quote add the Declaration of Independence? As Thomas Jefferson explained in sleep Summary work of the Rights of British America 1774. Show will have long bedazzled the declaration of independence thomas jefferson completed. Declaration inspire future security of humidity, signed declaration of jefferson and our fortunes and in their independence, dar library director lillian bradshaw argued for his son could jefferson was agreed on. As Thomas Jefferson and John Adams never signed the Constitution. Who owns the original Declaration of Independence? Sign the national parks and shipbuilder, he was intact during july fun abilities of independence declaration of five of.
    [Show full text]
  • Portraits in the Life of Oliver Wolcott^Jn
    'Memorials of great & good men who were my friends'': Portraits in the Life of Oliver Wolcott^Jn ELLEN G. MILES LIVER woLCOTT, JR. (1760-1833), like many of his contemporaries, used portraits as familial icons, as ges- Otures in political alliances, and as public tributes and memorials. Wolcott and his father Oliver Wolcott, Sr. (i 726-97), were prominent in Connecticut politics during the last quarter of the eighteenth century and the first quarter of the nineteenth. Both men served as governors of the state. Wolcott, Jr., also served in the federal administrations of George Washington and John Adams. Withdrawing from national politics in 1800, he moved to New York City and was a successful merchant and banker until 1815. He spent the last twelve years of his public life in Con- I am grateful for a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Research Opportunities Fund, which made it possible to consult manuscripts and see portraits in collecdüns in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, New Haven, î lartford. and Litchfield (Connecticut). Far assistance on these trips I would like to thank Robin Frank of the Yale Universit)' Art Gallery, .'\nne K. Bentley of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and Judith Ellen Johnson and Richard Malley of the Connecticut Historical Society, as well as the society's fonner curator Elizabeth Fox, and Elizabeth M. Komhauscr, chief curator at the Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford. David Spencer, a former Smithsonian Institution Libraries staff member, gen- erously assisted me with the VVolcott-Cibbs Family Papers in the Special Collectiims of the University of Oregon Library, Eugene; and tht staffs of the Catalog of American Portraits, National Portrait Ciallery, and the Inventory of American Painting.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring Meeting Reminder
    The Volume 45 • No. 1 • February 2011 SSpiriTpiriT of of ’76’76 Published by the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence QUINCY: “The City of Presidents” n a warm New England weekend, The General Meeting of the Society was September 25-26, 2010, the Fall held on Saturday morning at the Quincy OMeeting of the DSDI was held in Marriott after which we boarded the bus for Quincy, Massachusetts. There were 53 a tour of Quincy. Our first stop was the members and guests in attendance, including Quincy Historical Society Museum which is five children, representing 13 states and 13 housed in the former Adams Academy, a different Signers. National Historic Landmark and site of the birthplace of John Hancock. The museum After the Board of presented an informative history of Quincy Governors meeting through the centuries. on Friday, the group departed for Boston, about 7 miles away, where we caught the Harbor Express ferry and experienced a delightful, wind- Brinker sisters, trip hosts blown trip through the Boston Harbor islands with a stop at Hull before reaching the Fore River Shipyard adjacent to the USS Salem, a Cold War-era heavy cruiser that serves as home to The Lockwoods waiting for the ferry tour of Boston harbor. the United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum. That evening, we enjoyed a light Our next stop was the Dorothy Quincy reception and lecture by our own Mr. Homestead, another National Historic Thornton Lockwood who presented a very Landmark and part of the original farmland interesting talk, entitled “Legacy of the that Edmund Quincy acquired in the 1630s.
    [Show full text]
  • Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence
    Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence US and Dec of Ind BK4 AW.indd 1 17/12/09 12:16:20 Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence Ulster-Scots and the Declaration of Independence The influence of Ulster-Scots Presbyterians was heavily stamped on the American Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 and in the unfolding events which led to the establishment of the United States as a nation. The historic Declaration contained sentiments closely identified with the aspirations of the Presbyterian immigrant stock from the north of Ireland who settled in the American colonies during the 18th century. A significant assertion was: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. The 56 men from the 13 colonies who signed the Declaration were almost entirely of British family origin. Thirty eight were firmly established as being of English extraction, eight Irish (at least five of whom had direct Ulster family connections), five Welsh, four pure Scottish and one Swedish. One account from Ulster writer the Rev W. F. Marshall records the far-seeing contribution of the Scots- Irish (Ulster-Scots) in the struggle for American independence, with General George Washington reportedly stating: “If defeated everywhere else I will make my last stand for liberty among the Scotch-Irish of my native Virginia”. British Prime Minister at the time Horace Walpole was less flattering, with a jibe to King George 111 and the British Cabinet: “Cousin America has run off with a Presbyterian parson .
    [Show full text]
  • Records of the Office of Governor, 1820-1858 State Archives Record Group No
    Records of the Office of Governor, 1820-1858 State Archives Record Group No. 005 History Before the adoption of the Constitution of 1818, Connecticut governed itself by the Fundamental Orders (1639) and the Colonial Charter (1662). From 1776 to 1818, the provisions of the Charter remained in force except for the elimination of the words “Crown” and “Parliament.” The Orders and the Charter created the office of the governor, but did not make it an independent executive department. Except when exercising powers in wartime as “Captain-General” of the militia, the governor did not enjoy the powers granted late twentieth-century Connecticut governors. He presided over the General Court, later known as the General Assembly, and could vote only in cases of ties. Under the Charter, he sat as part of the Council, the colonial upper house. The governor could also convene the legislature for special business. In neither government was the governor an independent executive. His influence depended on his political skills. The State’s first written constitution of 1818 created three independent branches of government, the executive, legislative, and judicial. It “vested” the “supreme executive power” in the office of the governor.1 Another clause further mandated that the chief executive “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Only white men who were electors and had reached the age of thirty years were eligible for the office of governor. Annually in April all the qualified white electors in each town cast votes for gubernatorial candidates.2 On the first day of the May session of the legislature, the two houses examined the canvass reports and chose the governor.
    [Show full text]