On the 7th of June, a Friday, Richard Henry Lee stood up in Congress and asked leave to propose a resolution, “according to the instructions of his constituents.” Fifty pairs of eyes were instantly fixed on him not a delegate but knew perfectly what was coming. To Dickinson, Robert Morris, James Wilson of Philadelphia, to Duane and Jay of New York, to the brothers Rutledge of South Carolina, independence was still a word of frightful mien, separation from England a thought deplorable - more and more threatening it was true, but to be avoided it the brain and ingenuity of man could possibly avoid it. Because the vote was counted by colonies, no1 delegates, there was little public conception of how sharp a difference actually existed between the members. American ships flung themselves blithely across the seas, trading where they could, fishing where they could and fighting when a likely prize loomed toward them over the horizon.Ĭongress, to the world outside, appeared a united body.
In April of '76, Congress lifted the Continental blockade, which quite obviously had failed of its purpose. From a temporary convention which, on adjournment, voted to meet again in six months “should the situation demand,” Congress had become a permanent body of state representatives, with self-appointed powers to coin money, make loans, raise and equip an army and a navy. As WAR spread down the coast and the threat grew total, it became apparent even to the Tories that the character of Congress had changed.
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