3 Burst results for "Thomas Mckean"
American Revolution Podcast
"thomas mckean" Discussed on American Revolution Podcast
"Support independence. He also thought that the southern colonies north and south carolina. Georgia were also pretty likely on board. Our the middle colonies new york new jersey pennsylvania delaware and maryland. All at the time still had instructions to oppose independence in other words. The state governments of the colonial governments that were in charge had instructed delegates to oppose independence at all costs so after lee made this resolution in early june congress immediately tabled the proposal for three weeks so the delegates go home and confer with their local leaders and decide whether they could have their instructions. Changed in the meantime drafting committee began. Work on a declaration just in case the vote for independence past. I wanna take a quick look at the state of the middle colonies. The ones who were most resistant at this time to taking a great step toward independence he had pennsylvania which before the dispute was proprietary colony. Was run by the penn family. There was no provincial congress. At this time there was only a radical committee committee of one hundred that had no legal basis for existing that represented the most radical elements for warren dependence. There west la claudio assembly that was dominated by quakers pacifists who supported the king. There were some radicals. Like charles thompson. Who were pushing for independence. Many of these radicals attempted to vote in a pro independence late into the legislature in may but they lost. There was a high level of quaker turnout for this election and many the patriots had already left to serve in the continental army. There's no such thing as absentee ballots. Mela ballots at the time. So the vote overwhelming loyalist. By the way topsy kept really amazing. Detailed notes about all the political machinations that went on not only the first and second continental congress the entire time through the constitutional convention. Really amazing thorough. I witnessed view of the political deals and akron dealing that was going on during this time and near the end of the life of his life he took all of his notes and toss them into a fireplace. He decided it would be better for history to remember congress as idealistic heroes rather than the wheeler dealers with That his insider information were destroyed. That you so thompson. The great patriot did what he thought best for his country but not so much friend for stories. The quakers pennsylvania's i said were very strongly. Supportive of the king. Many people think that they were pacifists. Who were host were generally which they were quakers. The society of friends also sees the support of the existing government as a religious duty on january twentieth. Seventeenth seventy six. Society's elders issued a public declaration were set in part in setting up and putting down kings and governments is god's peculiar prerogative. Her causes best known to himself. And it is not our business to have any hand or contrivance therein but to pray for the king and the safety of our nation and good of all men that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty under government. Which god is to set over us so yeah. Quakers are very set in the theory of the divine right of kings kings kings. Because god wanted them to be. It's not for us morals to question it. So as i said quakers won the election the loyalist were in charge but the radicals would not deter responding to that resolution. I talked about before or john. Adams tried to add that hostile. Preamble that said governments needed to create new governments. A group of four thousand radicals met in front of independence hall of course was not called independence hall of the time it was pennsylvania state house both the continental congress and the legislature for the legislature of the state of pennsylvania met in the building the radical bob listened to speeches by some radical delegates including thomas. Mckean not only wanted independence but a completely new government for pennsylvania and they called for a new constitutional convention to replace the pennsylvania assembly the committee of one hundred than called for an election of delegates to the convention legal basis. Do they have for this really. They were simply counting on the people to support it. And for the government to have no power to obstruct it. Although the momentum seemed to be in favor of the radicals the leader setup the convention to essentially ensure the result they wanted i they gave equal representation to each county. This gave far more power to the less populated western counties where radical sentiment was far more popular second. They required that all delegates for swear allegiance to the king and support whatever government. The people shows so quakers and tories who were unwilling to consider the possibility of ditching king. Were not even allowed to participate in the convention third. They opened up voting to any male over the age of twenty one who had been assessed for taxes. There was no minimum property requirement and this increase the adult male voter pool from between fifty percent to ninety percent across the state much larger voter pool and typically voted colonial elections seeing the radicals make a move toward any assembly. Many representatives began to move toward the radical camp. Pennsylvania formerly withdrew. Its instructions to the continental congress to oppose independence. But it also didn't issue new instructions in other words. The delegates were able to decide for themselves and a majority of the delegation opposed independence. Four to three. In the end to the opponents john dickinson and robert morris left before the vote thereby allowing the delegation to support independence by a vote of three two to both of these men realized that the change is going to happen soon any way either they were not ready to cast a vote. They saw value in allowing pennsylvania to join the other colonies in backing independence so pennsylvania's onboard for independence. Now by the end of may early. June seventeen seventy six was also a period of transition the colony had a strong loyalist population. And could really go either way. Royal governor will franklin at ended the legislative session in january and the provincial. Congress just simply took over the functions of government while the governor intended to call the assembly back into session in june seventeen. Seventy six. The provincial congress reacted by replacing the governor in june and supporting independents again. Do they have any illegal authority to do this now. They counted on that the fact that the majority of new jersey would support them and that was the basis for their actions. They sent the governor to be imprisoned in connecticut and called for the creation of a new constitution. So new jersey on board for independence. Next week we want to delaware the delaware was not really an independent colony before all the started they were part of pennsylvania but they had their legislature which governs What was called the three counties on the delaware they were overall governed by the penn family that ran pennsylvania but since the governor had been overthrown delaware had its own legislature in pennsylvania had his legislature. So delaware was kind of pushing literally for independence from britain but independence of itself from pennsylvania on june fifteenth. The delaware assembly voted for himself to be independent from both britain and pennsylvania but did not instructed its delegates on how vote there was a july first vote Just to see where all the delegates stood. The delaware delegation was split. There were only two of the three members of the delegation there at the time. Thomas mckee voted for independence. George read voted against it so mccain had to send for the third noah get caesar rodney who was also serving a militia officer in lower delaware at the time trying to put down a royalist role. Caesar rodney made famous midnight ride through a thunderstorm so that he could get there on july second for the vote in favor of independence. His arrival was celebrated as delegates broke into song and dance at his rival. At least that's how it's portrayed in the musical seventeen. Seventy six actually may have been a little less musical and dramatic both rodney and mckean. As from southern delaware. Which is i said without a heavy loyalist population. It and result of their voting for independence. Both men lost their seats in the next election. But delaware had voted for independence maryland. As i said had walked out of congress on may fifteenth when adams had tried to introduce that controversial sample that smack of supporting independence maryland convention received congress's resolution that voted unanimously not to create a new government and reaffirmed. Its loyalty to the king. The planner class in maryland was struggling loyalists. The patriots mostly came from the merchants in the port. Cities saying chase became one of the biggest advocates to get the convention to change. Its use on. June twenty-first and provincial convention recalled the delegates to discuss the matter but wanted an assurance that congress would not vote on independence while they were away. Since congress plant begin debate on july first. This wasn't a problem any end. The convention approved independence after learning that pennsylvania new jersey and delaware would support it. The need for unanimity was a strong one among some of the more reluctant voters. So that leaves us with new york. Unlike most other colonists loyalists had continued to participate. In a provincial congress that had been set up to oppose colonial government. This gave the loyalists a lot more influence in selecting delegates to the continental congress who oppose independence as well as keeping the provincial congress. From going too far you're was also facing an imminent invasion at the time. A leader even open to the idea of independence might have second thoughts. If he believed that british army would soon reassert control over the colony and begin looking for leading traders to arrest in hang conservatives in new york tried to slow down the momentum toward independence after receiving word that the continental congress would debate the batter provincial. Congress voted that it would not support independence until it took a vote of the people in its colony and it couldn't take that vote because well the british invasion that's not to happen for congress ended its session onto thirty without changing. Its instructions to the delegates to vote against independence. So new york was the only colony to abstain from july. Second vote for independence. When the new year congress learned that all other twelve colonies had voted in favor. It reconvened on july ninth to approve of the vote for independence. So the final version of the declaration has written was able to add the word unanimous vote for independence that resolution that had been brought by lee was voted on and supported by twelve of the thirteen colonies in favor of the resolution brand dependence lee york of stained. So what exactly happened on july fourth. Why are we celebrating in pence day on the fourth of july rather than the second of july well as i said during this whole debate over dependence had been happening for the last couple of months congress had created a committee to draft a declaration in case congress voted in favor of independence on the committee where john adams benjamin franklin roger sherman robert livingston and thomas jefferson as junior member of the committee. Jefferson got stuck writing the first track. Nobody really thought writing declaration was that important. The vote for independence was important. Thing the fact that everybody voted in favor of the actual wording of the declaration was kevin trivial afterthought which is why it really got pushed off on somebody who was not particularly. See your member of congress. Shepardson had a reputation as being good writer. And so he would do. The first draft members of the committee will make some changes that would be submitted to congress would make additional changes but jefferson in amazingly good job. There were a few things taken out. were famously. There was a provision blaming king for bringing slavery to america. Many people think that was taken out. Because of a pro slave sentiment in congress and that's partially true what there was particularly among many the southern colonies. They were not ready to make this word about slavery. This is not to say that the war was being fought to protect slavery. But it wasn't being fought to end slavery either slavery was an existing condition and in the interests of unanimity. The issue of slavery was essentially kick down the road. The other reason one can make a good argument for removing. That was blaming. The king for slavery was a bit of a cop out. The colonists had brought slavery into north america and the king had tolerated. The king had allowed them to have slavery so blaming. The king for essentially forcing slavery on the colonists was a bit of. You know intellectually dishonest accusation. So there was kind of a good reason to bring up. Remove it for that reason alone. The committee finished with this draft in late. June and it presented to congress after the july second vote for independence at that point. Congress did take a couple of days to debate the final wording which finally agreed to on july fourth after it agreed to the wording of the declaration on the evening of july fourth draft was given to a local printer by the name john dahl to produce the first written copy of the document on july fifth with the date july fourth on the document other newspapers began printing it over the next few days and quickly the declaration spread all up and down the continent other wasn't official version. That was going to be sent to london. That was never planned. This was a declaration to the world. And if anything was particularly angered france they were hoping by declaring their independence that francine this as actual war that they joy not an internal dispute within the british empire. There were some british officers. You obtain copies of the declaration in the base following its general distribution. of course. we're all familiar with the signed engrossed. Copy of what. We call the original declaration of independence. This was actually drafted several weeks. After the fact it was laid before congress on august second for signatures by the time this final gross version was signed. As i said new york had gotten on board so the one word that was changing the declaration was the word unanimous. Most number cited on august second but some did not get around to signing again until as later. There's even some questions about one signer. That may not have sign for several years. But the day of july fourth appeared on the declaration itself as a result we celebrate independence day on july fourth. And here we are two hundred and forty five years later still celebrating that important Which led to the independence of the united states. Well that ends my prepared remarks. I've run about fifty minutes now trying to see if there are any questions and may have you can ask me about independence. You can ask me more generally about the american revolution. You can ask me about podcasting you can. This is really an ask me anything moment. So if you have any questions at all. I'm more than happy to take them on at this time. Checking my twitter feed right now. See if anybody is asked the question there as i said i know it's difficult. I sent that link. People can listen to this podcast by to actually interact with me half to have a podcast app on your phone. Don't like downloading new apps for that. So i did offer the option of asking questions on my twitter. Feed at podcast gonna see anyone has lots of fourth of july celebration tweets. Today for me. A very well could be that. So you're trying to ask questions or call in. And i'm not familiar enough with the way. My harding platform works to pick up on. That one wants to get in touch with a good time. Just say now. I started this podcast. We went live in july of twenty seventeen. So we're coming up on our fourth anniversary in a couple of weeks as you know. I'm generally working through the podcast in chronological order. Today's episode is a bit of a step back. Were up to seventeen seventy nine of a moment. But i wanted to this special episode really talk about independence day. What's particular about july fourth. So that's why we're doing this special episode. I do from time to time do special episodes with authors or other experts on the american revolution easily discussions. And of course those are not in many chronological order associated with my podcast as well but if a good author comes up i will try to bring them into have a discussion whenever i can. On whatever topic their next brian. So as i said we're up to seventeen seventy nine. Several years into the war were really just getting into the beginning of the southern campaign at the moment. Fak next week to talk about fort morris in georgia where the british follow on their capture of savannah will be moving as a lot. Were into the southern campaign over the next year or two as we get into some seventy nine seventy eighty tweak from powder day saying he's calling in. Fortunately i don't see where that's happening. I apologize. I said this is my first live episode ever. It's my first time using this platform. So if i am unable to interact with you. That's probably a sign of my inability to figure out how this whole thing works jason. He may know runs a youtube channel. Jason manners general co founder of the day he releases a new email almost every single day talking about some of the more obscure players in the american revolution and the founding of the united states. So i find it very interesting. Also youtube channel where. He discusses a lot of these. Same people Also runs trivia nights for american revolution. Really interesting stuff. So if you haven't had a chance to check them out or to youtube check out the search for founder day or go to founded the day dot com somebody else who also had agreed to participate. I was lee. Iran's history camp. You aren't familiar with history camp. It's typically a live event and all they have been that happens in various cities around the country s started in boston in virginia colorado. A few of the places as well. We tried to start one in philadelphia last year but it got quashed unfortunately by the pandemic hoped that going again next year because so much that canceled from pandemic history camp is holding a live online episode this year co history camp america. It's gonna happen next weekend. It will involve like the live episodes lab the ability to listen to the speakers on a wide variety topics agree. There's six or seven different time slots in time slot usually five or six different speakers so you can pick speaker you want to listen to and it's as i said it's all day event. Usually these things happen live. We'll go to building and we're all in one place can work with one another. That was impossible this year because of the pandemic join virtual alday online event next saturday. If you're interested kirk gerczew history camp dot org for more details.
The Steve Deace Show
"thomas mckean" Discussed on The Steve Deace Show
"State house that's now called independence hall in philadelphia. The best men from each of the colonies sat down together which was very fortunate. Our in our nation's history one of those rare occasions in the lives of men when we had greatness to spare these were men of means well educated twenty four lawyers and jurists. Nine were farmers owners of large plantations on june. eleven committee. Sat down to draw a declaration of independence where we're going to tell the british fatherland no more rule my redcoats below the dam ruthless foreign ruler stream of freedom was running shallow muddy and we were going to light a fuse to dynamite. That dan this pact. Has burke later put. It was a partnership between the living. And the dead and the yet unborn. There was no bigotry. There was no demagoguery in this group all had shared hardships. Jefferson finished draft of the document in seventeen days. Congress adopted it in july and so much familiar history but now king. George third had denounced all rebels in america as traitors punishment for treason was hanging the names now. So familiar to you from the several signatures on that declaration of independence. The names were kept secret for six months for each new. The full meaning of that magnificent last paragraph in which his signature pledged his life his fortune and who sacred honor fifty. Six men placed their names beneath that pledge. Fifty six men knew when they signed that they were risking everything they knew if they won this fight the best they could expect would be years of hardship and a struggling nation and if they lost they'd face a hangman's rope but they signed the pledge and here is the documented fate that gallant fifty-six carter braxton of virginia wealthy planter trader saw. His ships swept from the seas to pay his debts. He lost his home and all of his properties and died in rags. Thomas lynch junior who signed that pledge was up third generation rice grower aristocrat large plantation on her after he signed his health failed his wife and he's set out for france to regain his failing health. Their ship never got to. France was never heard from again. Thomas mckean of delaware so harassed by the enemy that he was forced to move his family five times. In five months he served in congress without pay. His family and poverty and in hiding vandals looted the properties of ellery and climber and hall gwinnett and walton and hayward rutledge and middleton thomas nelson. Junior virginia raised two million dollars on his own signature to provision our allies. The french fleet after the war. He personally paid back. The loans wiped out his entire estate and he was never reimbursed by his government in the final battle for yorktown. He nelson urged general washington to fire on his. Nelson's own home which was occupied by cornwallis. It was destroyed. Thomas nelson junior had pledged his life his fortune and his sacred honor. The heavens seized the home of francis hopkinson of new jersey francis. Lewis had his home and everything destroyed his wife imprisoned. She died within a few months. Richard stockton who signed that declaration was captured. Mistreated his health broken to the extent that he died at fifty one. His estate was pillaged. Thomas hayward junior was captured when charleston fell. John hart was driven from his wife's bedside while she was dying. Their thirteen children fled in all directions for their lives. There's fields and gristmill were laid waste for more than a year. He lived in forests and caves and returned home after the war to find his wife. Did his children gone his property's gone and he died a few weeks later of exhaustion. A broken heart lewis morris so his land destroyed his family scattered. Philip livingston died within a few months from the hardships of the war. John hancock history remembers best due to a quirk of fate than anything. He stood for that great sweeping signature attesting to his vanity towers over the others one of the wealthiest men in new england and yet he stood outside boston one terrible night of the war and he said burn boston though it makes hancock beggar if the public good requires it so he to lived up to the pledge of the fifty-six few were long to survive five were.
American Revolution Podcast
"thomas mckean" Discussed on American Revolution Podcast
"The unlucky to that were not were both. Quakers abraham carlyle and john roberts abraham carlyle was the first defendants brought to trial. The prosecution accused the prosperous carpenter of serving as a guard at the city gates during the british. This meant that he had accepted a commission. Worked in the service of the british army and was therefore a collaborator and a traitor. The defense argued that the prosecution could not produce a written commission but several witnesses testified that they had seen him guarding the gate. A jury found carlisle guilty and sentenced him to be hanged. He appealed the case to the pennsylvania supreme court which upheld the conviction later several people including chief justice. Thomas mckean petitioned the supreme executive council to commute the sentence but the council refused to do so. The grand jury also indicted a miller named john. Roberts charged with recruiting men to join the british army. The defense argued that the prosecution could not produce one person who actually listed as a result of robert's efforts but roberts had confessed that he tried to recruit people and other witnesses testified to his efforts. A jury found roberts guilty and sentenced him to death like carlisle. He appealed to the supreme court. Unsuccessfully and petitions to supreme executive council were denied on november fourth. Seventeen seventy eight. Both men were brought before a large crowd in the center of town. They were led to a public gallows and hanged. Both carlisle and roberts were older men who well known and liked in their communities politics aside their guilt seems pretty clear but it was not terribly different from perhaps hundreds of other men it seems. They were chosen as examples in part to mollify the radicals in the city following their executions cries for more treason. Trials fell off even so for many tory families. The climate of fear remained many families who had successfully steered through the british occupation. Were still concerned about what might happen to them. One of these families was the ship and family. Edward shippen was a well established jurist and a member of the philadelphia establishment. He was a direct descendant of a different edward. Shippen who helped establish the city with william penn and who had served as the city's first mayor before the war shipping tried to stay out of politics although he was opposed to mob actions he also made every effort to bend when the public demanded it during the stamp act shipping suspended his legal practice in order to avoid being attacked for using the stamped paper necessary for such practice at the same time. He was part of the colonial government establishment. He sat on the admiralty court for a time and also served on britain's provincial council under colonial governor john penn ship and also work with benjamin franklin in founding the juno discussion group the city's first subscription library and the american philosophical society when the war began shipping's positions in the colonial government targeted him as a potential tory. He tried to lay low even moving out of philadelphia to a country home in new jersey for a time ship and was not an outspoken tory. But he did refuse to sign a loyalty oath to the radical new state constitution in seventeen seventy six..