Status Updates From History of the American Rev...

Mankind are seldom driven into compliance by the haughty threats of powerful adversaries....

Perhaps there are no people on earth in whom a spirit of enthusiastic zeal is so readily enkindled and burns so remarkably conspicuous as among the Americans.

They were sensible the step they were about to take would either set their country on the pinnacle of human glory or plunge in in the abject state into which turbulent and conquered colonies have been generally reduced.

Freedom, long hunted round the globe by a succession of tyrants, appeared at this period as if about to erect her standard in America; the scimitar was drawn from principles that held life and property as a feather in the balance against the chains of servitude that clanked in her disgusted ear.

These hopes vanished and all expectations of that kind were soon cut off by the determined system of coercion in Britain and the actual commencement of war in America.

It must be allowed that the genius of America was bold, resolute and enterprising; tenacious of the rights their fathers had endured such hardships to purchase, they determined to defend to the last breath the invaluable possession.

It is true that in the course of the arduous struggle, there were many irregularities that could not be justified, and some violences in consequence of the general discontent, that will not stand the test when examined at the bar of equity; yet perhaps fewer than ever took place in any country under similar circumstances.

After the spirits of men had been wrought up to a high tone of resentment by repeated injuries on the one hand and an open resistance on the other, there was little reason to expect a ready compliance with regulations repugnant to the feelings, the principles, and the interest of Americans.

As a true disciple of passive obedience, he might think of himself bound to promote the designs of his master, and thus he might probably release his conscience from the obligation to aid his countrymen in their opposition to the encroachments of the crown.

America still cherished the flattering ideas of reconciliation, but these expectations were finally dissipated by the repeated attempts to reduce the colonies to unlimited submission to the supreme jurisdiction of parliament and the illegal exactions of the crown.

It is not uncommon to see virtue, liberty, love of country, and regard to character sacrificed at the shrine of wealth.

This inconsiderable duty on teas finally became an object of high importance and altercation; it was not the sum, but the principle that was contested.

It must be acknowledged, that the voice of the people seldom breathes universal murmur, but when the insolence or the oppression of their rulers extorts the bitter complaint.

From a strange propensity in human nature to reduce every thing within the vortex of their own ideas, the same intolerant and persecuting spirit, from which they had so recently fled, discovered itself in those bold adventurers, who had braved the dangers of the ocean and planted themselves in a wilderness, for the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty.

Location 1411

Washington's defeat & retreat from New York, his bewildering decision to leave Fort Washington defended, the attrition of his army by the pursuing British & terms of service, & the final redemption at the battle of Trenton.

I hate that she uses hardly any dates.

I never knew that Americans took possession of Montreal, however briefly, or that they also tried to invest Quebec & failed, or that Benedict Arnold had any part in those conflicts. In spite of the antique language & expression, I am finding this account of the American Revolution quite interesting.

I never knew that Americans took possession of Montreal, however briefly, or that they also tried to invest Quebec & failed, or that Benedict Arnold had any part in those conflicts. In spite of the antique language & expression, I am finding this account of the American Revolution quite interesting.

Washington appointed to lead an army, the destruction of Falmouth, the commission of privateers to capture necessary powder, arms, & supplies from British ships, Britain's attempts to agitate the native tribes to attack the colonists, & something about the Quebec Bill in Canada, which I'd never heard of before, but which ticked off those folks mightily.

I had started reading this book a couple of years ago, but lost interest partly due to the archaic language. But I've recently picked it up again. Reading out loud helps with some of the language.

Particularly enjoyed her assessment of John Hancock, & the image of him being picked up & plopped in the chair of the president of the Cont. Congress. LOL

I don't think this is exactly the edition I'm reading, which I originally got from Amazon but is no longer available through them. But it's an eBook with all 3 volumes of Warren's work.

Mercy Otis Warren lived through the American Revolution. This is one of the few contemporary accounts of the revolution, by one who knew the principal actors.