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Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, moved that "_The United Colonies are, and ought to be, free and independent
states._" This was passed by a majority of one colony. A committee was appointed to draw up a
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. At two o'clock on the fourth of July, its report was adopted.
[Footnote: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston,
composed this committee.]
[Footnote: During the day the streets of Philadelphia were crowded with people anxious to learn the decision.
In the steeple of the old State House was a bell on which, by a happy coincidence, was inscribed, "Proclaim
liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." In the morning, when Congress assembled, the
bell-ringer went to his post, having placed his boy below to announce when the Declaration was adopted, that
his bell might be the first to peal forth the glad tidings. Long he waited, while the deliberations went on.
Impatiently the old man shook his head and repeated, "They will never do it! They will never do it!" Suddenly
he heard his boy clapping his hands and shouting, "Ring! Ring!" Grasping the iron tongue, he swung it to and
fro, proclaiming the glad news of liberty to all the land. The crowded streets caught up the sound. Every
steeple re-echoed it. All that night, by shouts, and illuminations, and booming of cannon, the people declared
their joy.]
CAMPAIGN NEAR NEW YORK.--General Howe, after evacuating Boston, went to Halifax, but soon set
sail for New York. Thither also came Admiral Howe, his brother, with reinforcements from England, and
General Clinton from the defeat at Fort Moultrie. The British army was thirty thousand strong. Washington,
divining Howe's plans, now gathered all his forces at New York to protect that city. He had, however, only
about seven thousand men fit for duty.
[Footnote: Parliament authorized the Howes to treat with the insurgents. By proclamation they offered pardon
to all who would return to their allegiance. This document was published by direction of Congress, that the
people might see what England demanded. An officer was then sent to the American camp with a letter
addressed to "George Washington, Esq." Washington refused to receive it. The address was afterward
changed to "George Washington, &c., &c." The messenger endeavored to show that this bore any meaning
which might be desired. But Washington understood the sophistry and refused any communication which did
not distinctly recognize his position as commander of the American army.]
BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND (Aug. 27).--The British army landed on the southwest shore of Long Island.
General Putnam, with about nine thousand men, held a fort at Brooklyn and defences on a range of hills south
of the city. The English advanced in three divisions. Two of these attacked the defences in front, while
General Clinton, by a circuitous route, gained the rear. The patriots were fighting gallantly, when, to their
dismay, they heard firing behind them. They attempted to escape, but it was too late. Out of five thousand
Americans engaged, two thousand were lost.
Brief History of the United States 56
[Footnote: Many of the captives were consigned to the Sugar House on Liberty Street, and the prison-ships in
Wallabout Bay. Their hard lot made the fate of those who perished in battle to be envied. During the course of
the war, over 11,000 American prisoners died in these loathsome hulks. Their bodies were buried in the
beach, whence, for years after, they were washed out from the sand by every tide. In 1808, the remains of
these martyrs were interred with suitable ceremonies near the Navy Yard, Brooklyn; and, in 1878, they were
finally placed in a vault at Washington Park.]
(Map opposite p. 120.)
Had Howe attacked the fort at Brooklyn immediately, the Americans would have been destroyed. Fortunately
he delayed for the fleet to arrive. For two days the patriots lay helpless, awaiting the assault. On the second
night after the battle, there was a dense fog on the Brooklyn side, while in New York the weather was clear.
At midnight the Americans moved silently down to the shore and crossed the river. In the morning, when the
sun scattered the fog, Howe was chagrined to find his prey escaped.
[Footnote: The Americans embarked at a place near the present Fulton Ferry. A woman sent her negro servant
to the British to inform them of the movements of the Americans. He was captured by the Hessians, who were
Germans from Hesse Cassel, hired to fight by the British government. These, not being able to understand a
word of English, detained him until the morning. His message was then too late.]
WASHINGTON'S RETREAT.--The British, crossing to New York, moved to attack Washington, who had
taken post on Harlem Heights. Finding the American position too strong, Howe moved up the Sound in order
to gain the rear. Washington then withdrew to White Plains. Here Howe came up and defeated a part of his
army. Washington next retired into a fortified camp at North Castle. Howe, not daring to attack him, returned
to New York and sent the Hessians to take Fort Washington, which they captured after a fierce resistance
(Nov. 16).
[Footnote: Washington desiring to gain some knowledge of Howe's movements, sent Captain Nathan Hale to
visit the English camps on Long Island. He passed the lines safely, but on his way back was recognized by a
tory relative, who arrested him. He was taken to Howe's headquarters, tried, and executed as a spy. No
clergyman was allowed to visit him; even a Bible was denied him, and his farewell letters to his mother and
sister were destroyed. The brutality of his enemies did not, however, crush his noble spirit, for his last words
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