Dear Friends,
It is fast approaching, the 4th of July 2022, 246 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It sounds so simple we signed a piece of paper and became a free country.
Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America.
— Thomas Jefferson, November 29, 1775[13]
It was anything but simple or easy;
In answer to the Gaspee Affair of 1772 and the Boston Tea Party of 1773 Parliament wrote the Coercive Acts to punish the colonies the Colonies felt the Coercive Acts violated the British Constitution thus were a threat to all British America. The Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia September of 1774. The King wrote “Blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent.” (November 1774)
By the end of the Revolutionary War America declared its independence but at what cost? How many military lives were lost, how many families died, property was taken, personal fortunes spent, and tears were shed as agonizing decisions were made.
In a letter to his wife John Adams wrote; “I am apt to believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
We live in a great country, a country where people live free, free to make a living, follow their faith, raise their families under a flag and a constitution that guarantees these rights.
Thomas Jefferson wrote; “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
