Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Keystone Federated Republican Women (KFRW) announced the winners of their third annual 2022 historical essay contest on Monday, April 25. All middle and high school students who live in Jefferson County were eligible to enter the contest, which asked contestants to examine in writing the divide between Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. Should there be separation and independence or should they remain British subjects? Essay writers were expected to imagine themselves living during the time frame of April of 1775, just after the battles at Lexington and Concord, either as a prosperous Boston businessman or a Quaker farmer near Philadelphia.
“It seems to me that in history, nobody is all good and nobody is all bad,” said KFRW Essay Contest Committee Chair Gretchen Wallace. “There are perspectives, and often one side wins over the other, as it did here, but that doesn't mean that the Loyalists didn't have some very good reasons for wanting to remain loyal to England.”
Prizes were awarded in two categories: middle school and high school. Congratulations to those who entered essays, for important accomplishments in analyzing historical information and engaging creatively to bring historical perspectives to life.
High School Division
• First Place (Award Certificate and $250): Zoe Burrell
• Second Place (Award Certificate and $150): Adeline Grettenberger
• Third Place (Award Certificate and $50): Isabella Gray
• Participation Certificate: Anna Dollar, Lily Hall, Tali Grettenberger
Middle School Division
• First Place (Award Certificate and $250): Allie Dollar
• Second Place (Award Certificate and $150): Vera Peters
• Third Place (Award Certificate and $50): Charles Boyd
• Participation Certificate: James Boyd, MadiLynn Boyd, Tessia Brookins, Joel Pollock, Tre Scott
1st Place High School Entry by Zoe Burrell
Independence like a Torrent
My dear Sister, Boston, April 27, 1775
I would like to apologize for this bold letter you are about to read. This pen belongs to one who is called a traitor. I shall tell you why: I believe that Parliament's authoritative overreach is both harmful to the Colonies and supports a greater stratagem. I have sufficient information that I think will convince you, Sarah.
First, I would like for you to see that we are subject to the King, not Parliament. When our ancestors fled from England to America, they could have set up any government as they wished. I shall stop and give you some history. At the time of our ancestors there were three kingdoms: England, Ireland, and Scotland. Now, acts of Parliament have annexed Scotland and Ireland to England, making one nation, Great Britain. To whom is America annexed?
"To England!" I hear you stating.
Show me, please, the act of Parliament that annexed us to England. Even if we somehow got annexed to Great-Britain, every act of Parliament that is made would be observed here. But, they're not! There are acts of Parliament that distinguish this kingdom and His Majesty's other realms.
I've been reading twelve portions of newspaper written by a Mr. Novanglus. In his ninth issue, dated the third ultimo, 1775, he says, "Another distinction is to be found in Moore's reports page 790... This was agreed on by commissioners of the English lords and commons in a conference."(1) They, the lords and commissioners, go on to say that, "allegiance followeth the natural person, not the politick."(2)
Secondly, we will find that Parliament is only allowed to regulate trade. A part of the fourth resolve of the first Continental Congress says, "We cheerfully consent to... such acts of the British Parliament as are bona fide restrained to the regulation of our external commerce... excluding every idea of taxation, internal or external, ... without their consent."(3)
To again quote the first Continental Congress, "Resolved, that they are entitled to life, liberty, and property, and they have never ceded to any Sovereign power whatever, a right to dispose of either without their consent."(4)
Also, our Major General Washington wisely remarked, "I think that the Parliament of Great Britain hath no more right to put their hands into my pocket ... than I have to put my hands into yours for money."(5)
I want you to also see that this taxation scheme has been hatched from older times. In 1764, Governor Bernard sent letters to some acquaintances, hoping that they would join in his sentiments. His beliefs were these: tax us, save the money for the junto, and use it to pay the governing authorities, by authority of Parliament. With this, all branches of government would be fully dependent upon the Ministry, and all our assemblies rendered useless.
We must pay taxes for everything we export. We must buy things from England only, which we could either make ourselves or buy cheaper from other markets. I can sell things for a much higher price to the Dutch, than the British, because they know I can only sell it to them. This is why I wish for independence. I hope, for once, that Mr. Adams was wrong when he said, "We were one- third Tories, one- third timid and one- third true Blue."(6)
Enough now. I am, and always will be,
Your loving brother, Joshua Rhodes
- Philadelphia, April 27, 1775
I'm afraid of anyone finding out about this entry, for if this journal fell into the wrong hands, it could abolish my family, our farming business, and my standing in the Society of Friends. But I trust that the Rebels are hotheaded and have no real ground for their rebellion.
My first ground for reason is this : the Rebels call themselves British subjects. They say they and their ancestors are, "entitled to all the rights, liberties, and immunities of free and natural born subjects... of England."(7)
That also means that they get taxed by England just like all the other Britons! Do the inhabitants of England, Ireland, and Scotland get to rebel against "a vigorous matron... with strength sufficient”(8)? No! They simply submit to Parliament and the King.
This law of taxation is legal according to our Pennsylvania charter, as it says, "That we, ... shall at no time hereafter cause to be set, any... taxation... for their...goods or chattels within the said province... unless the same be consistent with ... an act of Parliament.”(9) Also, the charter of Massachusetts Bay states that the inhabitants thereof shall be free from taxation for a total of seven years. After this, the whole colony shall be liable to taxation. Parliament, after nurturing and protecting us, has full right to tax us!
Also, the British have offered fair prices that support my family. They have been kind and caring to us.O Lord, help! I can feel it now – when peace like a river becomes rebellion like a torrent.
Israel Wells, Humble Servant
[Footnotes and Bibliography omitted]
1st Place Middle School Entry by Allie Dollar
The Divide Between the Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War: Separation and Independence or remain British Subjects?
Come and join us as we look through the lens of history at the life of a Boston fisherman as he loses his money and almost his job to the outrageous taxes of King George. See as he fights against tyranny to bring justice and freedom to the thirteen colonies, so that his children may grow up knowing freedom, peace and prosperity, and also so that he may have a say in his government and taxes.
“Times are changing, some say for the better, others say for the worst. My family and I are hoping for the better, but when you’re in the middle of a war, you just don’t know. Trouble’s been brewing for quite some time now, but it’s finally broken out and war is inevitable. The fighting has just quit at the towns of Lexington and Concord, and I am almost positive there’s more to come. I’ve been very successful in my business over the years and so has my father and his father before him. Our business is fishing. We fish mostly for cod, but every now and then we’ll get a trout or two. Everything was almost perfect, then the king raised our taxes and created the stamp act saying that we must stamp all goods and papers (which means you have to give the king even more of your money). Then to make things worse, he closed Boston Harbor, so now I can’t export any of my goods! And with taxes so high, no one in Boston or anywhere else wants to buy my fish. Some people don’t like this act, and I am with them. It’s unjust! How can I feed my family without money? How can my children go to school? Some people and I, including Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, founded a group we call the Sons of Liberty. Everyone in this group believes in justice. We all want our children to grow up in peace. We strike back, resisting the king, with some careful planning, stealth and costumes. After we had a perfect plan, we went and raided a ship that was carrying stamped tea, and wouldn’t leave the harbor because of the king’s orders! We were dressed as Mohawk Indians, chopped into all the crates of tea and dumped them into Boston harbor, defying the king and his unjust taxes. That was two years ago now, and we’re still fighting for liberty. I just got word yesterday that something called a Continental Congress (this apparently is the second one) is going to be held, and they are going to elect a general to lead our army against the British. I really hope they choose a young Virginian plantation owner. His name is George Washington. He’s tall, handsome, brave, and will be the perfect general to lead an army against the British, and lead us to victory.”
Now we shall look at the war from the view of a Quaker farmer from Pennsylvania. He was just living peacefully and happily under the king’s rule until rebels revolted against the king, turning his whole world into chaos. Now he fears being tarred and feathered. Even though his business isn’t harmed at all, he is still mad at the rebels for making war.
“My name is Roy Broker, and I’m a farmer. My family and I are Quakers living peacefully in Pennsylvania. Well, that is until these rebels broke out in revolt against the king. It was just over a little tax that the king made us pay. But we’re his subjects, he can do with us what he wishes. The king is good and has good plans, I’m sure, for the money he takes from us in taxes. These rebels have no right to revolt, to shed innocent blood. It’s preposterous and wrong! The Bible says we should be at peace with one another. My neighbors and I have been just farming our grain and milking our cows in peace then some horrid rebels chunked good English tea into Boston Harbor! And of course, the few English soldiers in the colonies had to go and settle everything, because we can’t have bad people messing up our children’s lives and terrorizing them with the thought that their father might be the next person the rebels decide to tar and feather. Though bad things are happening I can thank God my farm hasn’t been raided like a few of my friends. We must stay with the king. We can’t separate. If we do, it will mean death to us all. These rebels know nothing about governing a country. If they succeed in their revolt (which I highly doubt will happen) they will come and pick us Loyalists out one by one and kill us. The king knows best, he carried us safely through the French and Indian War and this is how we repay him. It is high treason.”
The reasons for the “great divide” are many, but after looking through the lens of history at the lives of these two people, we can understand better why the Revolutionary War happened.
[Bibliography omitted]
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