American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Virginia House of Burgesses (May 15, 1776) Resolution: <Wherefore, appealing to the Searcher of Hearts for the sincerity of former declarations expressing our desire to preserve the connection with that nation, and that we are driven from that inclination by their wicked councils, and the eternal law of self-preservation: Resolved, unanimously, That the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain.> 1776VA001 -- American Quotations by William...

South Carolina Constitution (March 26, 1776): <Whereas the British Parliament, claiming of late years a right to bind the North American colonies by law in all cases whatsoever, have enacted statutes for raising a revenue in those colonies and disposing of such revenue as they thought proper, without the consent and against the will of the colonists. And whereas it appearing to them that (they not being represented in Parliament) such claim was altogether unconstitutional, and, if admitted, would at once reduce them from the rank of freemen to a state of the most abject slavery; the said colonies, therefore,...

New Hampshire Constitution (January 5, 1776): <That at any session of the...Assembly neither branch shall adjourn from any longer time than from Saturday till the next Monday without consent of the other.> 1776NH001 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes: 1776NH001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New Hampshire Constitution, January 5, 1776.

Continental Congress (July 19, 1775) as recorded in the Journals of Congress, resolved: <Agreed, The Congress meet here to Morrow morning, at half after 9 o'clock, in order to attend divine service at Mr. Duche's' Church; and that in the afternoon they meet here to go from this place and attend divine service at Doctr Allison's church.> 1775CC004 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes: 1775CC004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Continental Congress, April 15, 1775. The Journals of the Continental Congress 1774-1789 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office,...

Liberty Tree Flag (1776) was adopted by the Massachusetts Council and became the original flag that the Sons of Liberty met under just before the Boston Tea Party. It derived its name from the elm tree in Hanover Square, Boston, where the patriots first met to protest the Stamp Act. The flag is a green tree on a white background, inscribed with the words Liberty Tree and: <Appeal to God.> 1776LT001 Another variation of the New England Pine Tree Flag was what George Washington used in the fall of 1775 on his squadron of six schooners, which he outfitted at...