Quick Facts Born January 4, 1746, in Byberry, Pennsylvania. Graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) in 1760. Received MD degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1768. Elected to the Continental Congress from Pennsylvania in 1776. Signed Declaration of Independence in 1776. Appointed Surgeon-general to the armies of the middle department of … Read more
I am persuaded, Mr. Chairman, that I in my turn shall be indulged in addressing the committee. We all in equal sincerity profess to be anxious for the establishment of a republican government on a safe and solid basis. It is the object of the wishes of every honest man in the United States, and … Read more
Summary of the Second Continental Congress Although there was still great sentiment among the delegates to seek reconciliation with Great Britain, the movement towards independence could not be reversed. The delegates were soon forced to turn their attention to forming an army, crafting a Declaration of Independence, conducting the war, and establishing a new national … Read more
Early Life and Education Thomas Paine was born on February 9, 1737, in Thetford, a town in Norfolk, England. His parents were Joseph and Frances Pain. From 1744 to 1749, Paine attended the Thetford Grammar School. Around the age of 12 or 13, he took on a 7-year apprenticeship working for his father, making stays … Read more
Biography of Patrick Henry Patrick Henry was a Founding Father, member of the Continental Congress, and five-time Governor of Virginia. He is best remembered for his “give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775, which served as an inspiration for the cause of independence. Henry continued to champion liberty after the Revolution, as … Read more
Stamp Act Congress Summary The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting of 27 delegates from nine of the 13 Original Colonies that took place in New York City from October 7 to October 25, 1765. They met to discuss a unified colonial response to the provisions of the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was passed … Read more
Summary of the Tea Act of 1773 As a result of colonial protests, in 1770, Parliament repealed the Townshend duties, except for the tax on tea. The colonists responded by boycotting British tea and drinking smuggled tea. By 1773, the British East India Company was in financial distress due in part to the colonial boycott … Read more
Overview The acts bear the name of Charles Townshend, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, who proposed them. The Townshend Acts were based on the premise that Parliament had the authority to govern the colonies as it saw fit, including laws that controlled taxes, courts, and government. Although colonists held to the slogan “No Taxation … Read more
The act bears the name of Charles Townshend, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, who proposed it. The general purpose of the act was to establish a revenue flow from the colonies to Great Britain and to tighten Britain’s control over colonial governments. Colonists responded to the act by boycotting British goods and the Massachusetts … Read more
Molasses Act Summary The Molasses Act is considered part of the Acts of Trade and Navigation, which were a series of laws passed by Parliament during the 17th and 18th centuries to ensure profitable control of the industry and commerce of British colonies around the globe. It received Royal Assent from King George II on … Read more
Overview The Stamp Act of 1765 was an act of Parliament that levied taxes on the American colonies for the purpose of raising revenue for the British Treasury. The bill received Royal Assent from King George III on March 22, 1765, and went into effect on November 1. It required publishers and printers to buy … Read more
Summary of the Declaratory Act On March 22, 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, the first direct tax imposed on colonial Americans. To Parliament’s great surprise, outraged Americans responded angrily with legislative protests and street violence. Taken aback by the colonial reaction, and succumbing to pressure from British merchants who were suffering financially from American … Read more
Biography of Charles C. Pinckney Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was a Founding Father, a member of the Continental Army, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and a signer of the Constitution. Pinckney also served as an envoy to France during the notorious XYZ Affair, at which time he responded to French bribery efforts with his famous … Read more
Text of the 1629 Charter of Massachusetts Bay And further, That the said Governour and Companye, and their Successors, maie have forever one comon Seale, to be used in all Causes and Occasions of the said Company, and the same Seale may alter, chaunge, breake, and newe make, from tyme to tyme, at their pleasures. … Read more
This is a draft of the Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson. According to Jefferson, this draft had input from fellow Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. In the version presented here, italicized words or phrases were omitted in the final draft, and words or phrases that appear in brackets were added to … Read more
In the name of God, Amen. I GEORGE WASHINGTON of Mount Vernon, a citizen of the United States, and lately President of the same, do make, ordain and declare this Instrument; which is written with my own hand and every page thereof subscribed with my name, to be my last Will & Testament, revoking all … Read more
Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence (continued) AHC Note — Written by John Jay and published in the Independent Journal on November 3, 1787. One of the Federalist Papers. To the People of the State of New York: IT IS not a new observation that the people of any country (if, like the Americans, … Read more
Summary of the Administration of Justice Act The Administration of Justice Act became law on May 20, 1774. It authorized the governor of Massachusetts to move trials of royal officials accused of committing capital offenses, while performing their official duties, to another colony or to Great Britain, if he believed the accused would not receive a … Read more
Biography of Samuel Adams Samuel Adams was a patriot leader during the American Revolution era, born in Boston. He became a tax collector in 1756 and was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1765. Adams was one of the Founding Fathers and led the push for liberty through propaganda and his involvement in … Read more
George Washington Biography George Washington is often referred to as the “Father of his Country” and he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in American history. After leading the Continental Army to victory against the British in the American Revolution, Washington helped draft the US Constitution. Afterward, he was unanimously elected … Read more
