Liberty's Kids 114 - The First Fourth of July

The world came true is never give up you represent America how can I see it any other way? Here are some exciting scenes from today's episode of Children of Liberty We need an official statement to rally people to our cause The Hessians have arrived, said General Washington There are 18,000 soldiers The time for talking has passed It's time to act we must all be together or we will most certainly be hanged separately June 6, 1776 dear mother at the last congress some of the delegates believe that dr. Franklin and Lord John Adams were plotting treason against the king, yet this congress does not have a single delegate still loyal to the crown.

James and Henry have traveled to New York, where James hopes to interview General Washington for the newsletter. The dispositions are as low as the morals to answer his question bluntly. supplies morale isn't that tough oh sorry, you're with the pennsylvania gazette, aren't you? We've met before in Philadelphia and Boston, maybe you can answer a question for me, what in the world is going on in the House of Representatives, as I understand it? long drawn out arguments we need an official statement to rally the people to our cause the publication of common sense changed the minds of many men in our favor but it is time for congress to act to exploit public opinion we need a complete united front see for yourself here Guess what German soldiers?

There are hundreds of them and more on the way. King George III has made a deal with the German princes to hire 18,000 soldiers, but General Washington will be outnumbered. What will he do? There is very little we can do against the British. and the Hessians not without the help of congress, but what can congress do? can issue a proclamation of independence, then the French government can be persuaded to send troops to help us confront this attack. We have to go back home to tell dr. franklin about this. Excuse me, but we need our horse immediately. What's your hurry?

We have to tell Dr. Franklin about the Hessians, he means Ben Franklin. We have to tell Dr. Franklin so Congress can get the French to help the three of us. Well, in that case, I'll get it. Well, hey, let me go, watch out for Reid, they're conservatives, look for the guy who wants to warn Franklin about his new troops, it doesn't matter, let's lock this one in the barn, what's up, man James? The blacksmith has taken him prisoner and some men who is James he is my friend we have to go tell dr. franklin the hessians are here so congress can help and these men want to stop us we're going to force it open what are you doing that's my barn we're looking for a kid nothing in there but horses what did you do to him?

What is this little boy talking about? You can't do what you just did. That is private property and that is a human being. James and you are a conservative kidnapper. You can't do anything to me. I don't know what I can do to pay you. I take your horse and ride like the wind to tell Dr. Franklin the news. We need help from Congress. Dr. Franklin. Dr. Franklin. Dory has some jeans that the Hessians have arrived and won't let me have. Oh my God, they tried to stop us. General Washington said there are 18,000 soldiers. They locked James in bound burlap.

They locked you in a barn. Are you trying to worry us to death? Hungry saved my life. You look like a scare, that blacksmith was there. A conservative didn't want us to take the news to Dr. franklin I will not let you out of my sight for fear of the problems you encounter, start again James, what didn't the conservatives want you to tell me? king george has sent 18,000 troops the hessians we saw them arrive general washington wants congress yes, i know of a resolution on independence we must work harder to get congress moving or we will find hessians in our beds the president recognizes richard henry lee de virginia mr president i would offer three resolutions that the colonies are in fact free and independent states absorbed from all loyalty to great britain but the independent states seek to form foreign alliances and that the independent states establish a plan of confederation i second the three resolutions order in the chambers order what have you done it leah virginia what headline are you going to do what is active treason against the king treason your king has sent german troops to attack us oh no mr dickinson i'm in the pennsylvania gazette that's good for you what are the hopes of approve independence resolutions few and far between independence is dangerous and impossible could you explain that dangerous response sir because without the protection of the crown the frontier will fall into the hands of the Indians and a more ruthless European power in England will take over the property of the colonies impossible because only new england and the south want independence the middle colonies new york new jersey maryland delaware and pennsylvania will never vote in favor but thomas payne's common sense has changed the minds of many people common sense is all contrary and just as mr john dickinson tried to infer that payne's common sense is a waste of time i don't think infer is the word you want to use yes she is right well that sounds good words have great power james i know that I am a journalist, you should be more careful when choosing them what would be the correct word suggest it does not sound that good but it communicates what you want to say even with the correct word this article is not good I don't know if congress is going to adopt the resolution dr. franklin is having a secret meeting upstairs about that issue, so it's our job to come up with a written declaration of independence that congress must vote on, so you better start working on it, john, not me, franklin, my strident insistence and lack of tact have made me too unpleasant if others know it's my hand on the pen they will tear it to pieces who are you intending to write it for? you, dr.

Franklin, you are the most famous writer on the continent. step, i write for the amusement of my readers and myself, i won't write anything just to have it rewritten by a congress what about roger sherman or robert livingston? they are also on the committee they can barely write their names jefferson you have an excellent mind and a gift for language I will be honored to convert what talents I have to do it because I only hope to be worthy Mr. Jefferson is in such a hurry that he has a lot to write that write. I have to do better than that.

Go away. I just want to ask you a few questions. He's too busy working on what I am. I think I know a way to figure out how, never mind, just wait for me at the printing house, go away, waitress, oh, okay, let yourself in when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to destroy the when in the course of human events human events it becomes imperative to cut us off when in the course of human events it becomes desirable for one people to dissolve the political gangs that have connected them with another, furthermore, he is writing an explanation for severing all ties with the crown, finally a declaration of independence, but why does it keep starting over?

Why doesn't he just write it down and have it done? Remember what I said about the power of words, but don't you know that action is necessary now? It is important to take the time to choose the correct word. words, especially when we defy a king and do all other acts and things which independent states may do by right and in support of this declaration, with a firm confidence in the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred order of honor the president recognizes john dickinson of pennsylvania james look those men need help we don't have time we are already late for reading the statement this rain is not helping but they will get soaked so we look at that man he has a necklace he is a man of god we are going to stop well I need a little help blessed boy what we need is transportation to the state house come up that is where we are headed peace and prosperity would be the benefits of independence unlike my dear colleague sir dickinson i have nothing but contempt for the current situation and nothing but hope for the hoarder of the items we have been detained please explain this interruption i am the reverend john witherspoon and we are the newly elected delegation from new jersey that we have The provincial convention of New Jersey has directed me to support the independence order resolution.

This is a very welcome interruption. Are we late for the vote? Thank God, no, thank God, but thanks to these young people, without his help, we could have been lost. I can't thank you enough, we are happy to have been helpful. Can we stay and watch? Please take a seat behind me, but you must not tell anyone what is said here. All in favor. All against. That was just a straw vote to see where we stand. only delaware and pennsylvania are against the independence resolution, but to adopt it the vote must be unanimous the actual vote will take place tomorrow morning until then we are fired, rat, if only caesar rodney of delaware was here he would vote with us and I would bring delaware to our side caesar rodney is bedridden wait a minute james could you and moses run to delaware to visit a sick friend if they are thieves I am alone you will only have me tarab we are not thieves ah so you have come to Escort me to the other world, not just Philadelphia, that is very far from heaven, Dr.

Franklin sent us with news of the independence resolution. The vote is tomorrow and his vote is very important. Help me get out of bed, gentlemen. Wouldn't it be better if you traveled? In the carriage with us speed is everything thanks again friends, that cough sounds bad, we better try to keep up with it. I don't understand why you didn't let us take it now that you've seen a real hero, Teddy Rodney. I have to enter because I believe that the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence. My own judgment agrees with them.

I vote for independence. It is unanimous. The resolution on independence is approved. Yes, vote for Pennsylvania. Mr. Dickinson saw the inevitability of our cause and at last stayed home. The United States is independent. Remember my words. This day, July 2, will be remembered as the most revered day in American history. An occasion for games, sports bells, bonfires and lighting according to the wishes of the delegates let's now debate mr jefferson's statement debate what is the time to speak it's past it's time to act bonfires and lighting we may have to wait john Congress wants to argue about the words but you're cutting my document into pieces.

I count 30 deletions and changes so far more than a quarter of its length is gone. Your pride is understandable. Mr. Jefferson. He has written a magnificent document, but it is vital that we are united as we take this drastic step. The President recognizes Mr. Rutledge from the South. carolina why do they have to remove the statement life is fine as it is goes back to what I said before the power of words they are choosing a set of words that men will surely fight and die for very carefully it is taken there a signature big enough for king george to see from london dr. franklin we must all be together or surely we will all be hung separately that these united colonies are and by right should be free and independent states which are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all political connection between them and the state of great britain must totally dissolve and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to make war, conclude contracts of peace, establish alliances, establish commerce and do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do and to support this declaration , with firm confidence in the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor, and there you have it, men. our declaration of independence of July 4, 1776. independence it is surprising that a document can have this effect on tired and energetic soldiers this is crazy where will it end in independence if the purpose of the declaration is to gain popular support for the cause of independence? it seems to be working this will make it easier for the united states of america to request military support from the french oh my god i have to admit sarah you and mr jefferson have taught me a lesson i will never forget about the power of words independence never give up you represent america cookie jar