Responses from Farmers

 Hello History Friends!

I accidentally lied to you. A few times. I  forgot to mention that the Sons of Liberty had branches in all 13 colonies. AND- I said that Andrew Oliver was from England. He was not. He was born in Boston, but was hired BY the Crown to be the stampman (until he resigned).

Also, I've put way too much stress on myself about where to put mini episodes of people who are influential. I still want to DO some, but my brain might make me want to wait until later. Who knows? Not I, said the duck.

Mostly, though, I told you that where we left off on the Liberty Pole episode was going to be discussed in this one. However, I forgot about a couple of important things that we need to discuss before jumping into the Liberty Pole story. Sorry!!

We talked about how the Sons of Liberty responded to the Stamp Act and then later the Townshend Acts, but I really wanted to discuss a SPECIFIC response to these as well.  First I need to tell you about this guy, his name was John Dickinson. He later was dubbed "the Penman of the Revolution." He came from a well to do family and had land in both Delaware and Pennsylvania. That gave him a double vote like advantage- where he could run for office or be involved in politics in either (or both) states. He was a Quaker and not a big fan of violence. He wrote a series of essays about how illegal the Townshend acts were- side note- could you imagine being EXCITED to write and read essays? My kids think that's the worst part of school. Anyway- back to these particular essays. He signed them "From a Farmer". I mean, technically, he WAS a farmer, or his land had farms that were being worked ON them, but he was a lawyer. These books of essays were published on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. 

All in all, it wasn't just this essay series. He also wrote some songs and an address to people in Quebec and rewrote some of Patrick Henry's stuff. He also wrote the Olive Branch Petition, but we're not there yet, so just keep that nugget in your brain. He also plays a super interesting part in the signing (or not signing ) of the Declaration of Independence, but again- getting ahead of myself.

Let's actually talk more about the Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania- These weren't like some of the other documents, angrily telling Parliament how wrong they were. Instead, these were written in very simple terms. He just broke down the Townshend acts and explained why they were illegal. Judging by the first few letters that I actually listened to/read, they actually read really well, so regular people like me can understand them (which was his point). Maybe one of these days I'll listen or read all of them, but it's 3 hours that I just can't spare at the moment. Too many things to learn in general about to spend so specifically. Could you imagine how cool it would be to actually be an historian where not only you would have time to read all the details of all the things, but be respected and renowned for it?! It's a secret dream, friends. I will take this moment to thank everyone who has taken time to type stuff like these out, record them, take photos, upload them, compile information, upkeep websites- you guys are my heroes!

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. This pamphlet of these letters made themselves across the Atlantic. They reminded the Crown that it was not ok to use the colonies as a fundraiser without the continental congress's consent. Because they were still Englishmen! Remember that at this time, very few people were gung ho for independence. They just wanted to be represented and given the full freedoms that Englishmen in England were entitled to. 

About the same time, the Crown was also being served with the Massachusetts Circular Letter. The theme was pretty similar in demanding that Colonists get the same rights as other free Englishmen, but with a heavier emphasis on no taxation without representation. It was written by Samuel Adams.

Parliament was not stupid. They demanded that the letters were recalled and dismissed assemblies. (They still had royal governors to do that). Have we talked about Boston's non-importation agreement?  I don't believe we have. So what we've got going on now is a big 'ol "ball's in your court" situation- except the court was a giant ocean, so the ball was super slow going back and forth!

Let's recap.

Brit: Pay for the war! We're taxing your sugar!

Amer: No!

Brit: Pay for the war! We're taxing your papers! And cards!

Amer: No! Here's a pole!

Brit: Fine. Forget the stamps, but we're still the boss.

Amer: I'll let you think that

Brit: GRR!!! You must quarter us! And pay taxes on stuff we don't think you can make yourself! And bail us out of our sticky tea situation! And stop bribing our peeps!

Amer: No! Here's why you're wrong

(You're caught up now, but we're going to continue)

Brit: Stop meeting together! You have no authority! Don't listen to those letters! Also, I'm sending babysitters.

Amer: No! We LIKE the letters! We'll meet anyway, but as mobs! AND we're not going to trade with you any more. You can keep your stupid stuff. And good luck getting stuff from us!

What I'm referring to here is the Boston Non-Importation Agreement. This was written by a bunch of merchants in, well, Boston- obvi- and it pretty much said that aside from a set, specific handful of items, Bostonians weren't going to do business with England anymore.

Things were not so friendly here. John Hancock started having some words with customs officers and then General Gage and some troops arrived in Boston.

Ok, so the Townshend Acts were actually repealed, but England was SUPER not happy about it. In a couple of years, they'll think they're getting even when they pass the "Coercive Acts", quickly named the Intolerable Acts on this side. But that's not yet. A few things need to happen first. We'll talk about that next time!