American Independence Quotes
During the American Revolution, conditions were very difficult for Washington’s soldiers who were ill armed, ill clothed, and ill fed while they were paid irregularly. At one point morale was so low that some of the soldiers revolted. Smyth observes that Washington and Congress disciplined the mutineers very mildly, especially when compared with the way the British would deal with such things. The British Governor Clinton tried to take advantage of the mutiny and the poor morale by announcing that all of Washington’s troops who wished could obtain amnesty and join the British forces where the pay and conditions were much better. Professor Smyth found it fascinating that none of the Americans would join the British and he credits it to the wise and mild discipline policies of Washington and Congress as well as the general perception of the justice of the American cause among the American troops.
Fox was one of the opposition leaders who were opposed to the heavy handed policies that the British King and Government had used.
This quotation is the first prayer of the first Congress. Some advocates of a more religious role in government use this quotation to illustrate that not only was religion a part of the first Congressional deliberations, but it was a Christian prayer. Of course, the Constitution would not be created for another 13 years and there was no provision for separation for church and state in the Continental Congress—there was not even an executive. Duche was later captured by the British and was persuaded to write a letter to George Washington {583740} asking that he lay down his arms. John Adams described him to Abagail: “Mr. Duche I am sorry to inform you has turned out an Apostate and a Traytor. Poor Man! I pitty his Weakness, and detest his Wickedness.”
See {641497} for a quote from the Grenville speech. Fox, a conservative on most issues was an absolute radical on the issue of America. To aggravate the hawks in parliament, he used to dress in the colors of George Washington’s uniform to show his support once the war broke out.
His Fundamentals of New York Law was used for teaching law for years.
The term “America” was used by him and others to refer to South and Central America—not the United States.
As a result was in 1799 he was indicted, convicted, and fined $480 and sentenced to 18 months in jail. In 1801, newly elected President Thomas Jefferson pardoned Brown along with all violators of the act.
