The Declaration of Independence

Dear Loyalist,

     There are but several reasons why declaring our independence from Britain is the only option we colonists have. First and foremost, the British have attacked and declared war on us in battles such as the Battle of Bunker Hill, and those at Lexington and Concord. It is as if the mother-country is looking upon us as foreign enemies! I fervently believe that the only solution to this is to seperate from England completely and avoid further attacks from the country that claims we are united with them.
     Another example of the tyrrany the English rule us with is when they passed the Tea Act. They passed this act in order to benefit the British East India Tea Co. However, this completely ruined the American economy
by eliminating the middleman; American merchants could no longer make any money selling tea. I ask you, how can America's economy prosper with Britain making decisions that ruin it? The economy can only flourish if America is completely seperate from the harsh rule of the British government.
     Finally, the English government has made several decisions that go against our natural rights. For instance, the Stamp Act violated our right not to be taxed without consent; we colonist have no representatives in Parliament that helped make this decision. Now, according to the philosophy of John Locke, if a government does not protect peoples' natural rights (as is its job), then the people are responsible for abolishing it and creating a new government that will actually do its job. So, my fellow American, is it not our job to break free of the harsh and oppressive British government, and create a new one which is of the people, by the people, and for the people? I adamently believe that the is the only choiced we have.

The First Continental Congress: Patrick Henry (Virginia Delgate)

1. Patrick Henry lived to the age of 65 (from May 29, 1736- June 6, 1799)


2. Henry was extremely famous for his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech.


3. Patrick Henry was both the first (1776-1779)and sixth (1784-1786) governor of Virginia.


4. Henry was a big proponant of liberty; he was on the committee that opposed the replacement of the         Articles of Confederation with the Constitution because he though it would give the government too much power and impend on peoples' rights and freedoms.


5. Patrick Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1765 in order to fill an empty seat in the assembly.


6. Like Sam Adams, Henry was an excellent orator; he convinced the House of Burgesses to pass the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions (acts against the Stamp Act) though lots of people looked upon it as treason.

7. Patrick Henry and his wife Sarah had six children: Martha, Anne, Elizabeth, John,William, and Edmund.

8. President George Washington offered Henry the position of Secretary of State in 1795, but Henry declined because he apposed Washington's federalist views.

9. Patrick Henry served as a Virginia representative not only at the First Continental Congress, but he was also a representative on the committee that ratified the U.S. Constitution. (He voted against ratifying it.)

10. In a meeting of the House of Burgesses, Patrick Henry said that colonists should resist the Stamp Act, and another member said that that was treason."If this be treason, then make the most of it!" Henry reportedly replied.

11. Henry was offered the position of Emissary to France by President John Adams, but had to decline because his health was worsening.

12. Patrick Henry died of stomach cancer on June 6, 1799 at Red Hill, which was his family's huge plantation.

The Boston Massacre

     I believe that this engraving by Paul Revere portrays the British soldiers as cruel, heartless, and murderous; I can see why it was used in Patriot propaganda. It makes it look as though the redcoats are firing murderously into a crowd of completely innocent colonists (even though this was not really the case; the Americans were yelling insults at the troops and chucking oysters and ice chunks at them.) If I were a colonist who had not witnessed the Boston Massacre, seeing this picture would make me hate the redcoats with a passion, more so than I would've if I'd seen the actual killing. 
     When the Boston Massacre first occurred it was called either the "King Street Massacre" or the "Bloody Massacre." If I were a colonist at the time who didn't reside in Boston, and heard the name "King Street Massacre", I would first wonder where the heck King Street was. I would then look at the word "massacre" and think that it was a horrible, bloody event where a huge number of people were murdered (but in reality, only five died.) I would feel the same if I heard of the "Bloody Massacre" (though the word "bloody" makes the Boston Massacre sound all the more terrible.) I think the Patriots used the word "massacre" in their propaganda in order to make the British soldiers look horribly cruel, and make the whole event sound worse, so that people would take notice of this event and look at it as an example of British tyrrany.

The Sons of Liberty

     I think that in this painting, the Sons of Liberty are portrayed as courageous heroes. There are only two of them facing a whole army of redcoats. This makes them look very bold; like they are going up against incredible odds for the sake of protecting liberty. Also, their physiques are like that of comic book heroes. Also, they seem to have a halo of light surrounding them. But they also have a mysterious, almost criminal, air about them. Their masked faces and glowing eyes give this effect. The British don't seem to be portrayed all that nicely in this painting. They look like a fierce and violent angry mob, whith their bayonets pointed at the Sons of Liberty. It seems like the artist is somewhat for the Sons of Liberty (how they courageously stand in front of the British army), but not exactly for them either (how they look insanely creepy.)He seems like he's not really for the British either (how they look like a savage mob.) I think the artist just doesn't approve of the fighting between the redcoats and Sons of Liberty and their huge rivalry, and that's why this painting doesn't exactly make either of the two sides all that attractive.
    I like how the painting makes the Sons of Liberty look like they are courageosly going up against ridiculous odds (which they did.) It truthfully portrays how outnumbered the Patriots were. But I don't like this painting because, frankly, it kind of scares me. The Sons of Liberty's glowing eyes kind of creep me out; they make the Sons of Liberty look sinister. Also, the gloomy background and the sharpness of the bayonets don't make the picture look very pleasant.
     I'm not really sure if I would join the Sons of Liberty if I got the chance. I bet I would agree with their ideals, because my opinion usually ends up being the exact opposite of the public's opinion. But I'm not sure if I would go as far as joining the Sons of Liberty. I have a rebellious attitude towards things, but don't really show it because I don't want people to have a bad opinion of me. Plus, if I got caught, I don't thing getting hanged would be all the pleasant.

About Me

'Ello chaps!-

    My name is Katie, but if you would prefer to call me John Lennon, go ahead. I am in 8th grade (a senior in middle school :) ), and am hopelessly obsessed with the Beatles. My trademark phrase is "OH MY BOYSENBERRY PIE!" Although I have never actually eaten a boysenberry pie, they are one of my obsessions. Aside from John Lennon, my hero is

Chopin. I've pretty much been in Troy Schools all my life, but I started elementary school in t Utica Schools.

     I take piano lessons (and am pretty good at it, if I do say so myself.) I play cello in our school orchestra, and am fourth (soon to be first) chair out of nine cellists. I also attend catechism. Up until this year, I went to Polish school 

     As for my hobbies, I don't have too much free time on my hands with all my homework (thankyou, history class.); but I do enjoy drawing. Some of my favorite things to do are: acting like a nutcase with my friends, listening to the Beatles, watching movies, and pretty much just being a kid. I remember one of the most fun things I did with my friends was making a little video called Tea Time with John Lennon, which is basically this: John Lennon (me) has a talk show, on which he interviews random gets (like the guy who killed him, and a man with a head made of cheese.) Yes, my freinds and I love using our creativity for the purpose of nonsense. You're probably wondering whether or not I have any pets.  I don't currently have one, but I used to have an anorexic Siamese fighting fish named Bobby. Rarely did he ever eat any of the fisfh food I gave him. But he lived for over two years, which is really long for a fish (especially one who lacked the ability to eat.)



Boysenberry Pie

I got eaten by a flaming, obese boysenberry pie. (This is a test.)