Chapter III

1776-1777.

CONTINUANCE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT.--DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.--PREPARATIONS FOR A NEW GOVERNMENT.--FORMATION
OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY.

Independence proposed 49

Committee to prepare the Declaration 50

Instructions to the Delegates 51

Declaration adopted 51

Consequences of its Adoption 51

The Title "United States of America" first used 52

Articles of Confederation proposed 53

The Revolutionary Congress, the Real Government 54

Power of the Congress 55

General Washington's Position 55

Difficulties which he had to encounter 56

Machinery of Government defective 57

Formation of the Army 58

Remodelling of the Army 59

Difficulties attending it 59

Committee appointed to confer with General Washington 60

Error of Short Enlistments 60

Washington does not concur in their Expediency 60

Powers of the National Government 62

Difficulties attending their Exercise 63

Popular Feeling about the Grievances 64

Tories 65

Officers of the Royal Government in New Hampshire seized 66

General Lee's Offer to seize the Tories of New York 66

He prepares to defend New York 67

Orders to disarm the Tories in Queen's County 68

Orders countermanded 68

Washington's Regret 69

His Directions to Lee 70

Tories of Queen's County arrested 71

Inhabitants of New York alarmed 71

Congress compelled to submit the Subject to the Colonial
Authorities 72

Questions of Prize 73

Origin of the American Navy 73

Vessels fitted out to intercept the Enemy's Supplies 73

Falmouth burned 74

Letters of Marque and Reprisal 75

Prizes captured 75

Adjudication of Prizes 76

Delay in obtaining Decisions 77

Means of defraying the Public Expenses 77

Paper Money issued 78

Delay in Signing the Bills 79

Pressing Wants of the Army 79

Washington borrows Money of the Province of Massachusetts
Bay 80

Defects of the Revolutionary Government 80

Jealousy of Standing Armies 80

Note on the Authorship of the Declaration of Independence 81