HIST 1110 Midterm
Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Diplomat Canassatego at Treaty of Lancaster (1744): after the Treaty of Lancaster still tension between the colonists and Six Nations; Canassatego asserts which lands were ceded in the treaty and reaffirms the covenant chain established between the English and the Haudenosaunee (“silver chain”); claims the that Six Nations have been there longer and that they could always survive without the colonists (some colonists were arguing that their trade of weapons was necessary for the Native Americans to survive) so their claim to the land is more valid than the “Pen-and-Ink” claims made by the colonists
Compares to covenant chain/relationship with the Dutch who he claims never disrespected the Iroquois authority over the land
Lin Manuel Miranda “Alexander Hamilton”: tells the story of Hamilton’s life being raised in the Caribbean struggling (orphaned, father abandoned, mother died, cousin committed suicide, etc.) and gives an early introduction into how he became the notorious founding father known today
Chenow The Castaways Hamilton Bio: details how Hamilton’s early life in the Caribbean/West Indies would have been and how it explains his demeanor (why he was hypersensitive about class and social hierarchy, potentially his view towards Jewish people who helped educate him, slaves he was surrounded by, etc.)
West Indies relied on agriculture for their economy, sugar extremely profitable (more profitable than all of North American colonies), heavy reliance on slaves, contributed to mercantile system and triangular trade
Outlines the life of his mother Rachel (marriage to Levain for money, imprisonment, illegitimate children, etc.) and father James Hamilton (Scottish aristocracy but younger son so came to the West Indies to make money)
Ben Franklin, Albany Plan of Union (July 1754): in 1753, the Haudenosaunee felt that the covenant chain was broken so the colonies convene at Albany to restore chain (Iroquois are the “barrier” between English and French colonists); established a plan to create on union for their national defense and better negotiations with the Native Americans/decided to establish one general colonial government for defense
DID NOT mean that the colonists wanted to unify into one nation or rebel; actually made colonies closer to the crown because the “general government” was headed by a President General appointed by the crown while Grand Council chosen by the colonists based on population
Map Eastern Part Province of New York with Part of New Jersey: shows Pennsylvania country and which parts of New York and the other colonies were recognized for Native Americans
Washington Recalls Defeat at Fort Duquesne (1754-55): Treaty of Lancaster 1744 ceded lands to colonists and while the Native Americans thought this was only settled land the colonists thought this included the Ohio River Valley so they started sending people to survey the land; French start building forts and British grow concerned which results in Washington’s military missions
Originally going to defend British fort (Ft Prince George) but seized by French (Ft Duquesne) and needed to attack; ends up attacking French troops waking up and Native American allies kill the commander; French attack Fort Necessity and GW surrenders; British send reinforcements but French with the help of Native American allies defeat them and all the heads die except GW (rises in the ranks)
Tensions/fights that would culminate into Seven Years War (first skirmishes of the war); also highlights covenant chain wearing down because Iroquois did not help British like Native Americans helped the French
Susannah Johnson Recalls Her Captivity (1754-1757): Living in west NH (dividing line between Canada and the English colonies), family planned to move because of increasing danger/contention over the area but taken captive as the first battles of the Seven Years’ War began
Treatment contrasting to treatment of African slaves in the colonies
Eventually sold to the Duquesne family and reunited with her family (though they were separated/sold to other places before) and then gained their freedom
The Royal Proclamation (1763): Britain wins the Seven Years’ War and wins French territory including territory in Ohio country; issues the proclamation to stop people from settling in the new lands, to leave if they are on said land (reserved for Native Americans), and only allows Britain to buy new land from the Native Americans
Upsets the colonists because they fought in the war for the land
Start of tension between the colonies and Great Britain
Pontiac’s Speech (May 7, 1763): A Delaware prophet, Neolin, claimed that he met God and God was punishing the Native Americans for abandoning their tradition (using manufactured weapons, excessive drinking, etc.) and allowing colonists to settle on their land/forcibly take their land (did not condone driving out peaceful ones); punished by sending animals away; also discouraged fighting amongst themselves; spread this message to many tribes including to Pontiac who shared it and believed the message
Would culminate in Pontiac’s rebellion and a broader pan-Indian movement; shows that Seven Years’ War did not end colonial and Native tensions (Natives not invited to peace negotiations)
1763 Massacre of Susquehannock by Paxton Boys & Henry Dawkins The Paxton Expedition: with the French gone, the English settlers no longer needed the Haudenosaunee as a “barrier” -> Paxton Boys Massacre (in PA) where a group butchered sleeping Native Americans and burned Susquehannock buildings; attacked the county jail where Susquehannock sought refuge; marched to Philadelphia (shown in second image) to continue massacre on refugees but stopped by Ben Franklin and the Quakers
Marks a turning point in Philadelphia/PA (elite = Franklin/Quakers vs. backcountry/common countrymen)
Repercussion of Seven Years’ War
First Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1768): colonists ignored the 1763 Proclamation Line and sought an agreement with the Native Americans to settle further west; the Six Nations ceded land in the Ohio River Valley/Ohio country in hopes to ease tensions between the English settlers and Native Americans
English settlers even ignored the boundary established in this treaty and much of the land ceded was occupied by other Native groups
Attempt to strengthen/re-establish the covenant chain
Chernow Hurricane Hamilton Bio: details Hamilton’s adolescent/formative years and how they contributed to his experience and got him to North America (New York)
Clerked at a trading business (Beekman and Cruger) where he learned most of his business skills and importance of honest trade, uniform currency, etc. that shaped his roles later in life (Treasury and est. of Coast Guard)
Wished for war because he knew there was limited social mobility for someone in his position
Hurricane hit his home town and wrote a letter to his father that a mentor of his/editor at the paper (Knox) got ahold of and encouraged him to publish (had published prior to this); people loved the letter and started a fund to send him to New York to get an education (Beekman, Cruger, Kortright, his cousin, etc. all sponsored/contributed to get him educated)
British Treasury Customs Reform and Minister Justifies Reform (1763, 1765): Commissioners in the British Treasury try to reform the Navigation Acts/other acts regulating commerce in the colonies because even though commerce has increased from the colonies, Britain/the mother country is not seeing increased revenue (b/c of illicit trading practices to circumvent the Navigation Acts); claim its harder to maintain the colonies with more military presence and land without more revenue
Reforms established in the form of the Sugar Act (and Stamp Act); colonists were upset that Britain was actually enforcing the acts; British minister justified saying its for the greater good and the colonies were being negligent anyways
Four Colonial Newspapers on the Stamp Act: colonists upset about Stamp Act b/c against the English BOR to tax them without representation and felt they were still British citizens; many colonies (NY, RI) had assemblies to petition the king to redress this grievance (also part of the English BOR signed after Glorious Rev.)
Passed Stamp Act partially to pay cost of defending the colonies and partially to reinforce the Navigation Acts that the colonists were avoiding
Patrick Henry, Virginia Resolves on the Stamp Act (1765): claims settlers have all the privileges and immunities that citizens of Great Britain have and same with anyone born in the colonies (granted royal charter); thus, cannot tax the colonists without representing them (only own government can tax them, never forfeited this right)
Claim that having someone other than the colonial assemblies tax the colonists has a tendency to destroy British and American freedom (removed this resolution)
Stamp Act Congress Resolutions (1765): list of grievances regarding the Stamp Act; claim colonists are still British subjects so have the same rights as British citizens, including no taxation without representation; local circumstances are not similar enough to be represented by House of Commons in Great Britain (not all towns had representation in Britain but were considered similar enough to be fine) so only colonial government could represent and tax colonists; asks to repeal the act
Also upset about expanded power of vice admiralty courts
Scarcity of British currency to pay tax in the colonies
Taxes would make it so colonists couldn’t purchase British manufactured goods
Quiz Two Review (Class 5-9)
Readings:
George Washington Scorns the Proclamation Line (1767): Washington begins surveying land in the Ohio country despite the Proclamation Line of 1763, believes that the line is temporary to restore relations with Native Americans and will fall in a few years
John Dickinson, Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania (1767): argues that the colonists should be more mad about the Townshend Acts and Declaratory Act as they were with the Stamp Act, slippery slope argument (if they can lay any duties/burdens on them as they please and stop the NY assembly what can’t they do), cannot be taxed without representation, heightened tensions
Hannah Griffitts, The Female Patriots (1768): Daughters of Liberty also engage in boycotts of taxed goods (Townshend Act) and join the homespun movement (making textiles by hand) to support the movement because they don't have a voice in official government affairs (can’t vote, be delegates, etc.)
Also sobering up in protest
Maryland and South Carolina Non-Important Agreements (1769): because petitions and attempts to redress grievances ignored, MD and SC enter non-importation agreements/resolutions for Britain and other colonies until the acts are repealed
Includes not just goods but stopping slave trade too
Paul Revere, Bloody Massacre perpetuated in King Street (1770): depiction of the Boston Massacre, shows the colonists unarmed, some with their hands up begging for mercy, running away from British fire while many are injured or already dead
Rousing colonists, shows them as innocent victims of British tyranny and violence
Boston Gazette on the Boston Massacre (1770): recount of what happened in the Boston Massacre, also presents the colonists as fairly innocent with the British soldiers instigating violence (firing first and killing colonists), but admits that the colonists did resist (threw snowballs at them, etc.) rather than being completely docile
London Chronicle on the Boston Massacre (1770): recount of the Boston Massacre, paints the British as innocent/victims (soldiers were hurt previously, the townspeople attacked the soldiers), calls the colonial resistance a mob, only fired after being hit and then others followed, claims it was part of a plan to remove troops from the towns (troops were removed following the incident, shows compliance)
Crispus Attucks, the First Martyr of the American Revolution (1770): depiction of the Boston Massacre (also shows colonists as fairly innocent), highlights that Crispus Attucks, a Black man in servitude was the first killed
Afforded some respect equal to other men in the news and recognized his death, but also not referred to as “Mr.” in news (still differential treatment)
North Carolina Regulator Documents (1771): Regulators were a group of North Carolina colonists that did not agree with the tax and fee system (who would control the debt of NC middling farmers, new mercantile class aggressively prosecuted debts, which farmer merchants did not do previously), wrote a petition to the royal governor, which was rejected so it resulted in an armed resistance (some call it a battle)
Sources on the Gaspee Affair (1772): Gaspee was a British boat patrolling American coastline/ports to ensure that customs were being enforced (Sugar Act), intentionally lured the Gaspee into shallow water and overwhelmed the crew and burned the boat in protest
Governor of RI though did not agree with the enforcement of the taxes, tried to find the perpetrators and they were not found; issue at the heart of the affair continued (imposition and harsh enforcement of unpopular taxes and colonial resistance)
Slave and Servant Runaway Ads from the mid 1700s: advertisements placed by masters in newspapers for runaway workers including indentured European servants, repeat offenders, women, etc.
Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa) Describes the Middle Passage (1789): former slave who bought his freedom, went to London and joined abolitionist movement, described the horrible conditions of the Middle Passage (tight quarters, horrible stink from poor conditions, some jumped off preferring death than slavery and those who attempted to escape and were caught were physically punished, starved [ship’s crew would eat their fill and then throw the remaining fish overboard])
Quaker John Woolman Some Considerations on Negroes (1754): makes a religious argument that all men are created equal/equal in nature and that men treat others how they want to be treated and in a religious country no men, but specifically Africans should not be subject to conditions like slavery, natural right of liberty/freedom so cannot keep people in servitude and ignorance
William Knox, Pro Slavery Treatise (1768): argues that the Somerset decision claiming that slavery is repugnant to divine and human laws stops slaves from being educated/instructed and reaching their highest welfare (being “civilized”, British notions that they need to bring civilization to people) because colonists are constantly afraid that slaves will runaway because they will read anti-slavery stuff
Putting blame on Britain slavery in the colonies
Somerset v. Stewart (1772): British customs officer (Stewart) stationed in the colonies returns to England and brings slave (Somerset) with him, Somerset tries to runaway and is captured and put on a boat to Jamaica, godparents made application to the King’s Bench for a writ of habeas corpus and brought to court
Ruling: claimed slavery was so odious/repugnant to divine, moral, and human laws that they only way it could be allowed in Britain is if there was positive law supporting it and there was not so Somerset was free
Did not stop slavery in the colonies, though some tried to make the argument, not a major thing in the colonies and some interpreted it narrowly (releasing only Somerset) and other more broadly (Black people did know about it and tried to escape to Britain)
Phillis Wheatley Poem to Earl of Dartmouth (1772): writes to Earl of Dartmouth (poem) comparing condition of African slaves to the “slavery”/tyranny and oppression that the colonists are facing under British rule (grievances never addressed)
Black Petitioners Ask for Freedom in Massachusetts (1773): first petition to royal governor asking for freedom, claiming that they are “some of the good ones” essentially (sober, honest, and industrious) and will contribute to the colony; second petition asking for ability to buy freedom (work one day a week for their own money to work towards freedom), says will leave the colony
Want freedom in a way that is least harmful to their masters (second petition says it would be bad if they got right to demand compensation for all past service); a lot of deference to make White people comfortable
First Continental Congress, Declaration of Rights and Grievances (1774): after the Intolerable/Coercive Acts and Quebec Act response of the colonists, argues have natural rights of life, liberty, and property, rights from English constitution and colonial charters or compacts preventing them from being taxed without representation, right to assemble and petition grievances, argues reducing Americans to slavery
Establish non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement at the Continental Congress
Continental Association (1774): established by the First Continental Congress, believe the most peaceful way to resist the acts by entering non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement amongst ALL the colonies, includes goods and slave trade
Establishes committees in the colonies to enforce these agreements (anyone who defies the agreements are known as “enemies to American liberty”, can also be dismissed from service), extra-legal bodies became important when it came time for revolution to spread the word, build and send forces, and also for punishing Tories/Loyalists
Includes provisions to help the other colonies, like Boston b/c port shut, acting unified (STILL NOT ASKING FOR INDEPENDENCE THOUGH)
Henry Laurens to Peter Petrie (1774): recounting how the colonies are resisting the Tea Act and Intolerable Acts (attempt to tar and feather someone importing tea, meeting of the Continental Congress which he’s a delegate for, raising money for Boston, establishing non-importation agreements)
Explicitly states that he wants things to return to how they were in 1764 before the Stamp Act (no taxes or hash enforcement of Navigation Acts) NOT INDEPENDENCE, just revolution (return to), actually specifically against war/violence
Lepore, Life of Jane Franklin: sister of Benjamin Franklin who did not have the same education/opportunity as him, but prominent figure in his life and frequently exchanged letters, attempted to start a textile/clothing business finally (based on European fashion) but boycotts/non-importation agreements stopped her business from being profitable
Seabury v. Hamilton (1774-1775): Samuel Seabury was a staunch Loyalist who disagreed with colonial resistance, urged people not to support non-importation agreements and throw away their entire livelihoods and relationship with the mother country over a “three-penny duty,” argues that Britain does not need trade with the colonies but the colonies need trade with Britain; Hamilton counters him saying that it is the principle they are against rather than the actual duty (actually made tea cheaper)
Both make natural rights arguments
Edenton Ladies Agreement (1774): women in Edenton, NC enter their own non-importation agreement in support of the colonial cause, one London newspaper covered this agreement favorably saying it was a show of patriotism and a great example of loyalty to their husbands, another depicted the women as promiscuous taking their ideas from men and neglectful mothers for engaging in politics
Paul Revere Memorandum on Events (1775): recounts him warning colonists in Lexington about the approach of the British (Regulars) and their plan to seize arms and ammunition in Concord (actually planned to go to Worcester as well), also warning Samuel Adams and John Hancock about British approach (might be planning to capture them), was captured before he could make it to Concord, there was a colonial militia standing armed meant to show opposition but in the darkness someone fired and the Battle of Lexington and Concord began
Female Patriotism (1775): letter from a Patriot women in Philadelphia to a British officer in Boston written after the Battle of Lexington, shows how women supported the revolution through the home-spun movement/non-importation actions, woman claims it's not a matter of politics to decide you want to be free also reasserts they the colonists still want some alliance/attachment to Britain
Great representation of how people thought at the time
John Dickinson to Arthur Lee (1775): writing to inform that blood has been shed in Boston, after battles of Lexington and Concord, Gage’s troops marched back to Boston where they were met with significant colonial resistance (15,000 troops), in an attempt to regain control the force made a move to capture Bunker Hill (poorly constructed fort) and though the colonists lost and the Regulars captured the Hill, many died
Talking about how he’s unsure people will be ok with reconciliation now that violence has broken out
Peter Oliver “The Origin and Progress of the American Rebellion” (1775): Loyalist perspective on Lexington and Concord, claims that no matter who fired first the government has the power to suppress hostile resistance, tells stories of British officers trying to help colonists or show them mercy and claims the stories of them doing otherwise/being cruel are false, blames colonists for inability to receive intelligence and coordinate a proper response
Perversion of social order (people rising from their station because of war and those in power not having so much power to the resistance)
Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775): issues a proclamation freeing all the slaves if they decide to join Britain in the fight against the colonists
Dunmore threatened this before in response to colonial resistance and the Gunpowder incident triggers this, seized colonial gunpowder stores and people suggested armed resistance though it ended peacefully (a wealthy plantation owner agrees to give Patrick Henry the money to replace the gunpowder but because of the incident Dunmore flees to a boat which is where he writes the Proclamation from)
Virginia Assembly Response to Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775): all slaves that join the British side will be punished by death unless they have already been swayed and they change their minds now
Express fear of insurrection (privy council/attempts to end the slave trade in VA but stopped); shows the significance of slavery to the colonies BUT not the reason for the split
Documents on the Debate over Black Enlistment Early in the War:
Thomas Paine, An Occasional Letter on the Female Sex (1775): claims that women might have things even harder than men because they are still part of society and suffer from the consequences of the actions of the men in society, but they get no recognition and cannot participate (condemned to live and die unknown)
Equal right to virtue and also just as courageous, deserving of recognition
Thomas Paine, A Serious Thought (1775): believes that it is the will of God that America and Britain will separate/it is natural that they separate because Britain committed many atrocities even in the West Indies through slavery and other subjugation of the Native Americans, believes the continental legislature should stop the slave trade once they are independent
Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776): presents many arguments for why the colonies should be separate from Britain and lays out what he thinks would be an ideal structure for government
British government with the king tyrannical (only the law should be king)
The colonies would be just as if not more successful in commerce without Britain (trading in natural resources that everyone needs)
Britain only protected the colonies out of self interest rather than attachment to the people (to protect the trade and not make more enemies)
Colonists left persecution in England so they wouldn’t be subject to tyranny and should not be subject to it now
Against common sense to be running a colony so large and complex with an island so far away (running petitions back and forth taking months, etc.)
Does not make sense to fight a war and lose property, lives, etc. just to reconcile with Britain
There will only be more wars with Britain if they try to reconcile after all the animosity and destruction of one war
Loyalists at the Outbreak of the Revolution (1775-1776): Loyalists after Lexington and Concord tell stories of violence they experienced (one man captured, whipped, and was going to be hanged but judge set him free because had no information), many are Anglican clergy in Connecticut, many fled to Quebec, colonies with many troops like New York (also more moderate) or back to Britain
Shows the significance of the committees established in the Continental Association because they were prominent players in rooting out Tories/Loyalists to unite people to the Patriot cause even if through violence
Henry Laurens also urges South Carolina Provincial Congress (government started when royal governors shut down colonial assemblies) to not declare all Loyalists enemies to liberty to be mindful of Quakers
John Adams, Thoughts on Government (1776): determining the best form of government for America if independent; want republican government with separate legislature, executive, and judicial branches, but also want an additional independent assembly with a legislature and executive that would serve as a mediator between the two extreme branches of the current legislature (ensure that no one branch becomes tyrannical)
Midterm Readings:
Oneida Declaration of Neutrality (1775): at the start of the Revolutionary War, the Oneida (one of the Six Nations) declared neutrality, even though 4/6 (Tuscarora also declared neutrality) sided with Britain, showed how the Oneida saw themselves as sovereign/independent from the other Indian nations yet still allied/united, were neutral b/c they thought of the fight as a fight amongst brothers and asked the New England colonists not to call on the other Six Nations for aid so they could also keep peace between their brothers
Brant Commits Mohawk to Britain (1776): John Brant (Mohawk leader) allies the Mohawks with the British at the start of the Revolutionary War b/c he wants the British to return their land and other land that was stolen by colonists (ex: Susquehanna land that was taken unjustly after the Treaty of Fort Stanwix)
References how the Mohawk sided with British in Quebec
Letter between Abigail Adams and John Adams (March-May 1776): Abigail writing to her husband during the siege of Boston (?) reporting on the situation (scared of smallpox, references Dunmore’s Proclamation/duped by Dunmore), urges him to “remember the ladies” when declaring independence/expanding their own rights they should simultaneously think of the rights of women and other oppressed people, if they do not consider these groups they may similarly turn to violence and overthrow their legal authority to get their rights
Jefferson’s First Draft of the Virginia State Constitution (before June 13, 1776): King George/Britain violated their colonial charter and turned into a tyrant so the colony throws off his power and privilege to govern them, similarly Parliament said the colonies were in a state of rebellion and put the colonies out of allegiance/protection to attack them, since both consented to no ruling king must establish a new government
Establishes a legislature with two house (Representatives and Senators) and a very weak executive (Administrator that changes annually, has no veto power, doesn’t have the power to declare war, etc., and is bound by acts of the legislature), establishes judiciary as well
Lays out some rights (freedom of press and religious exercise, right to bear arms, no standing army) similar to BOR
Jefferson, Original Rough Draught of the Declaration of Independence (1776?): similar to final version of DOI: describes natural (inherent and inalienable) rights and declares all men are equal and independent, claims after long train of abuses it is their right/duty to throw off such a government, list grievances, declares independence
Major difference: one major grievance Jefferson cites is that Britain forced slavery on to the colonies violating human nature, further Britain’s determination was the reason the slave trade market remained open (reference to the Privy Council in VA potentially), and now Britain is using those same enslaved people to fight against the colonists
Declaration of Independence as Adopted by Congress (1776): similar to Jefferson’s draft: describes unalienable, natural rights, claims government power comes from consent of the governed so they have the right/duty to overthrow abusive/tyrannical govts, lists grievances (things done by the Intolerable Acts, references the Quebec Act specifically and removing their right to self government) that were not addressed peacefully/by petition, and declares independence
DOES NOT INCLUDE SLAVERY PIECE
Haynes, Liberty Further Extended (1776): mulatto man in New England who grew up as an indentured servant where he received an education and engaged with religious and political texts, later enlisted as a minuteman to fight for freedom, based on both religious and political arguments argues that Black people also have a natural, unalienable right to liberty which should make slavery illegal in a country fighting for the right/against tyranny, all men created equal by God (one Blood all nations of men) so there is no natural privilege based on skin color that gives one man the right to enslave another
Claims it is not Christian to be violent and enslave other (Christianity sounds odious to others now/disgracing the name of Christianity by associating it with these practices)
Rejects/debunks common arguments justifying slavery (Africans are cursed, they would be enslaved anyways, etc.)
Washington to John Hancock on Army Needs (1776): getting further into the war (September) and people are feeling less patriotic (unlike siege of Boston)/getting demoralized and are deserting their posts, claims the Continental Congress should situate a way to compensate soldiers and officers (pay and land for officers) to stop people from deserting, also wants a solid, well-trained standing army rather than relying solely on militias (more likely to desert b/c not trained or used to war)
Precursor to events like the Newburgh conspiracy and Shays’ Rebellion
Reconstructing 1776 Arrest of Nathan Hale: based on a Tory/Loyalist storekeeper account by a man named Consider Tiffany historians were able to find out what happened to the first American spy Nathan Hale (captured by British colonel who tricked Hale into thinking he was also a spy and hanged), Loyalist account never found until centuries later b/c Hale not as infamous at the time and Loyalists were largely silenced/not allowed to publish in Patriot press and there were very few Loyalist publications
Lafayette to his wife, Adrienne (1777): updating his wife on his travels and role in the army until he lands in the US, claims he’s fighting for America b/c the happiness of America is tied to the happiness of humanity (defending their freedom is essential to defending liberty)
Archaeological Account of Battle of Red Bank (1777): battle in New Jersey where US soldiers including the RI First and Second Regiments (two of the first integrated units in the US, included Black people and Native Americans) fought against British soldiers and Hessian mercenaries (German soldiers) to stop them from resupplying; brutal but short battle where the British lost despite having more forces, archaeologists found the bodies of Hessians showing how grave the defeat was
Treaty of Alliance with France (1778): officially allies the US and France for their common defense (war against one means war against the other), alliance meat to establish sovereignty/independence of the US in government and commerce, neither nation will make peace with Britain without the consent of the other (mutual peace agreement)
Not really upheld once American diplomats actually negotiate Treaty of Paris in 1783 (Jay, Franklin, Adams)
Hamilton to John Jay on enlisting Black soldiers (1779): John Jay was the was the newly appointed president of the Continental Congress, as the war progressed b/c of pay issues, etc. the Patriot army was struggling to raise troops, John Laurens wanted to raise a Black regiment in the south (SC) and his friend, Hamilton wrote to Jay supporting Laurens’ plan
Claims that Black people are not inherently inferior (natural faculties are as good as ours) but because of their circumstances (slavery) they’re not able to on equal terms; also argues if the Patriots don’t make use of the enslaved population then the British likely will (why they campaigned in the south later)
Chernow The Lovesick Colonel: recounts Hamilton’s experiences during the war, including meeting and marrying his wife Elizabeth Schuyler and acquating himself with the Schuylers in general, encountering Benedict Arnold, trying to stop soldiers from defecting and dealing with the Continental Congress, and working with General Washington
Hamilton recommended during the war to revise the Articles of Confederation seven years prior to Constitutional Convention, first to recommend, and recommended stronger central government with a centralized bank, strong executives, and Congress having supreme power in war, trade, etc.
Joseph Plumb Martin Recounts a Difficult Winter as a Patriot Soldier (1830):
Mary Jemison (Seneca) Recalls Revolution (1775-1779): Jemison’s family was killed in the Seven Years War and she was adopted into the Seneca, during the Revolutionary War the Seneca also allied with the British, recalls the start of the alliance (Six Nations initially neutral and then British claimed they would reward the Native Americans for their assistance, never in want for money or goods so they allied)
Recalls Sullivan’s campaign (scorched earth campaign destroying homes and food, now known as ethnic cleansing)
Second Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784): peace treaty between the US and the Native Americans at the end of the war, 4/6 nations rebelled gives them peace and outlines new boundaries for the groups that rebelled/takes any lands in their new western boundary of the US HOWEVER allows Oneida and Tuscarora possession of their initial lands (peaceful/neutral)
Sources on Black Americans in the Revolutionary Era (1775-1783): Black people served various roles in the war fighting for both the Patriots and the British Regulars (promised freedom from British) some in military regiments as soldiers, spies, etc and also as unskilled laborers
Colonel Tye: Black Loyalist who led an interracial group that conducted guerilla warfare style raids on Patriot farms and villages
Sergeant Murphy Steele: sergeant of Black pioneers (all-Black British army unit created during the Revolutionary War) who felt he was called by God to tell General Washington to surrender and if he did not then the British would raise all the Black people in America to fight against him, God’s wish to end American Rebellion
John Trumbull, The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill (painting): depicts the Battle of Bunker Hill and highlights Peter Salem, a free Black man who enlisted for the Patriots
Saul, Petition to the VA State Legislature with Endorsement (1792): Enslaved Black man who enlisted in the Continental Army and served as a spy taking advantage of British eagerness to recruit Black soldiers, put in petition to gain freedom and pension for his service with an endorsement from his White commanding officer
Claims that he fought for the Patriots because he realized that British did NOT start the war to free the slaves/because of differences in views over slavery but to subjugate more people (the Patriots) and he was opposed to all subjugation
Jacob Francis, Pension Application: Black servant from the North (already free) asking for his pension for military service, even though George Washington initially wanted to ban ALL African Americans (free and enslaved) from serving in the Continental Army when they got desperate for recruits he allowed them to serve in the North and gain their freedom by enlisting if not already free
Was at the Siege of Boston, Battle of Long Island, crossing of the Delaware Christmas Night, etc.
Complains about lack of regular pay and was never formally discharged or received backpay
Jehu Grant, Pension Application with Corroborating Letter (1836): escaped slave of a Loyalist who joined the Patriot cause as a teamster (people in charge of the animals that carried supplies, etc.), actually returned to his owner after service and was freed later, initially denied pension because he was an escaped slave but this letter contained additional reasons and a corroborating letter for why he should receive pension (claimed he knew his owner was assisting the British and he enlisted to be a soldier but was placed as a teamster instead)
Chickasaws Defy The Virginians (1779): claims that the Americans should not call them brothers when they threaten to destroy Native nations and take their land and that the Americans will not be brothers with them until they re-establish peaceful with the British and go to war with the French instead (tensions remaining from the French and Indian War), instead they ally with the British
Hudson River Chronicle July 4th and John Peterson (1838): describes the toasts and celebrations happening on the Fourth of July many years (toast for the Declaration, for “free institutions,” rights of suffrage, country women, etc.)
Recognizes a “colored man” who was devoted to the patriot cause (John Peterson) who was crucial in capturing Benedict Arnold and is receiving a pension for his service
Siege of Pensacola (1781, painting): depicts the Siege of Pensacola which was a key battle where the Spanish and French assisted the US in defeating the British and capturing Florida, does show Black soldiers but the presence and absence of Native American soldiers was also significant to the siege
Robert Morris “Diaries in the Office of Finance” Referring to Haym Salomon and Other Jews (1781-1784): outlines the participation of Jewish people in the American Revolution (came in many forms) highlights how they helped with the troubling financial situation of the early nation, Haym Salomon lent money to revolutionary delegates in the Continental Congress like James Madison and charged no interest (helped sustain important revolutionary figures when the Continental and state treasuries couldn’t)
Also assisted American and French prisoners and was acquainted with Hessian officers who happened to resign (persecuted by the British for his importance to patriot effort)
Sarah Osborn Remembers the Battle of Yorktown (1837): husband enlisted in the war so she “volunteered” to travel with the army (camp follower), writes about her and her husband’s experiences to receive his pension, followed Captain Gregg for at least 3 years and was cooking, sewing, etc. for the army, knew about the prosecution of Benedict Arnold, was at the Battle of Yorktown when the British surrendered and even met General Washington
Responses to British surrender at Yorktown (October 19, 1781):
Letter to LaFayette (1781): citizens of Baltimore thank Marquis de Lafayette for his pivotal role in the battle, claim that his help has made their union with France permanent; in response claims that this victory contributes to “our noble cause” (hints at the French Revolution) and they have formed a bond of everlasting gratitude
Letter from Loyalists (1782): Loyalists (those who fled and those in the states still) asking if they can re-pledge/renew their loyalty to the British government and if Britain can help rescue them from the US (many end up fleeing as British soldiers leave either back to Britain or to nearby colonies), and implores Britain to look for alliances (can recruit the Loyalists) b/c they’re afraid if the alliance between the US, France, and Spain continues they will seek to conquer all of Britain
Letter to Rochambeau (1782): citizens of Baltimore write to Rochambeau thanking him for helping protect the “commercial interests” of Maryland and assisting in the war effort in general (victory accelerated by his help)