Dunmore’s Proclamation Tybee Island and David George

1. Dunmore’s ProclamationTybee IslandandDavid George Group Exercise

2. Questions for groups to consider • What, according to the Declaration of Independence, are the “unalienable” rights of men? • How might an American in 1776 have understood the practical meaning of those rights? • Would we today share their views?

3. Playing Devils advocate The flag of the United States Pledges Allegiance to I and to the Republic for which I stand

4. Questions for groups to consider • What, according to the Declaration of Independence, are the “unalienable” rights of men? • How might an American in 1776 have understood the practical meaning of those rights? • Would we today share their views?

5. Jefferson and Religious Freedom Virginia Satute for Religious Freedom

6. Whereas, Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil incapacitations tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being Lord, both of body and mind yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do, that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavouring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time; that to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical;

7. In 1777 American army began to take a new shape • In response to Washington’s requests • Congress offered a cash bonus to anyone who signed up for three years • Anyone who signed up for the duration of the war received a Land bounty • Gave army a more secure basis

8. Army now had time to be trained • become a stronger threat • Avoid the chaos and flights seen in New York • In addition to lengthening service • congress also increased punishment that could be used • Number of lashes was increased from 39 to 100

9. New Continental Army had distinct character • short-term militia locally based • made up of well known and often respected members of each community • New army was often draw from the lower ranks of society • The Joseph Plumb Martin’s of the world • Often pulled across the country away from homes and the ability to easily leave

10. Back to New York • As Burgoyne took Ticonderoga • Washington watched Howe in New York • Appeared to be preparing for action • But hesitant – Left harbor but to where • July 31 spotted in Delaware River • But out to sea again • South Carolina? • August 25th Chesapeake bay

11. Washington feared for Philadelphia • Maneuvered to protect the capital • Battles at • Brandywine Creek • British Victory • Washington retreat but stayed between Howe and Philadelphia • Harrying the british • Battles during repositioning • Warren Tavern Sept 16th • Paoli Sept 21

12. Weaponry and tactics

13. Not often used in battle 75 caliber, weighed 9 lbs. 46 “ Barrel 1779 only 20 % of Norfolk Militia could hit target of 100 feet From 70 yards

14. Paoli Massacre • Major General James Grey surprised Anthony Wayne’s Forces • Entered Wayne’s camp at 1 am • Ordered flints removed • Used bayonets with cruel efficiency • 300 killed and wounded • 100 captured • 8 British killed • Wayne escaped with renewed respect for • “No-Flint Grey”

16. Without Burgoyne disintegrating • Washington’s army may not have lasted • Washington rallied his troops • “Will you suffer the wounds given to you country to go un avenged?” • Will you resign your parents, wives, children and friends to be the wretched vassals of a proud, insulting foe? And your Own Necks to the halter

17. Continental Army was next to see battle • Prompted by Washington’s words • At Germantown Pennsylvania • A mix of bad weather and excessive complex plans led to a chaotic conflict • Eventually the British regrouped and push back • far from a rout • Washington’s troops now had knowledge that they could • Carry the attack to a fine professional Army and carry it well

18. Howe’s Victory at Germantown • Seizure of Philadelphia • Satisfaction and joy to British • Defeat of Burgoyne • Satisfaction and joy to Americans • Also raised specter of France

19. France given up idea of reclaiming mainland colonies • Still smarted from British domination • Subtly supported American efforts • Attempt to damage England • JulienArchard de Bonvouloir • Late summer 1775 sent to America • Offer verbal support and encouragement • but little more

20. Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais • Dramatis & adventurer • (loved intrigue more than he hated England) • Spent time in England trying to gain info • Believed almost everything he hears

21. Meanwhile back in the good ol US of A • November 29 1775 • congress appointed secret committee of correspondence • “for the sole purpose of corresponding with our friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world” • May 2, 1776 King Louis XVI • Authorized 1 million livres in aid • But had to been done in secrecy • Sort of • Face saving fiction is often more acceptable than fact in foreign relations

22. Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais • Later author of The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro • Set up a company • RoderiqueHortalez et Compagnie • Company’s aim smuggle army supplies into America • Still no men at this time

23. Also uncertainty in US • Is assistance from France attainable/wise? • What connection may we safely form with her • 1st No Political Connection. Submit to none of her authority – receive no Governors, or officers from her • 2ndNo Military Connection. Receive no troops from her • 3rd Only a commercial Connection, i.e. make a Treaty, to receive her Ships into our ports. • John Adams

24. From France • Marquis de Lafayette and Johann, baron de Kalb • From Poland • Casimir, count Pulaski • To some Americans this influx of non-Americans was potentially problematic • These people along with others began to take on a new aristocratic tone • Americans been fighting off hierarchical ideas like this for years

25. About 90% of gunpowder used by American forces between 1775 and 1777 came from • captured British supplies or from overseas • Hortalez et Compagnie supplied most of this • Without this aid, quite simply, the war could not have continued

26. December 1776 • Benjamin Franklin arrived in France as an agent of the American Congress • Although France could still not officially recognize Franklin • Paris took Franklin in as a hero • Franklin was a well known figure in Europe • Both through his scientific work • And also from his time in England

27. Ben Franklin altered his appearance • Adopting simple plain clothing and replacing his wig with a fur cap • Successfully attempting to play the innocent man of nature • Following Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga the French intervened officially

28. Feb 1778 Franklin and French Foreign minister Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes signed two treaties. • The first was a commercial agreement • Granted America generous trading terms • In the second France • Made a perpetual alliance with the US • Recognized American Independence • Agreed to fight until Britain accepted US independence • Disavowed all territorial claims in the US

29. Essential article in treaty of alliance No8 • “Neither of the two parties shall conclude either Truce or Peace with great Britain, without the formal consent of the other first obtained; and they mutually agree not to lay down their arms, until the independence of the United States shall have been formally or tacitly assured by the Treaty or Treaties that shall terminate the war” • Congress approved treaties on May 4 1778 • By June 14 1778 Britain and France were at war

30. British response to this was to put together a plan of conciliation • The plan which may have succeeded in 1775 • Was rejected out of hand by congress in June 1778

31. Spain also wanted to see Britain suffer a loss at the hands of the Americans • However, it was not prepared to support America directly • King feared that the Spanish people may follow suit • But in 1779 it joined with France in their war against Britain

32. With the support of France, and the indirect help of Spain Americans expected a swift victory • This was not to be the case • The war instead turned into a battle of attrition as each side attempted to reduce the other to surrender

33. When the army settled in for a cold winter at Valley Forge a Prussian soldier in the army • Frederich Wilhelm, baron von Steuben • Created a drill manual based on the traditional Prussian manual adapted to the American army • Yet another increase in army structure • War moves South