The First Continental Congress, to which these messengers were travelling, urged the people to stand together in resisting the attempt of King George and Parliament to force them to pay taxes which they had had no share in laying. They added: “We have the right not only to tax ourselves, but also to govern ourselves.”
With all these movements Samuel Adams was in sympathy. He went even further, for at this time he was almost or quite alone in his desire for independence, and he has well been called the “Father of the Revolution.” Perhaps we think of him especially in connection with the Boston Tea Party, but his influence for the good of his country lasted far beyond that time.
Till the close of his life he was an earnest and sincere patriot. He died in 1803, at the age of eighty-one years. Not an orator like Patrick Henry, but a man of action like Washington, he had great power in dealing with men. Truly his life was one of great and heroic service to his country.
Some Things to Think About
- In what respects were Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry unlike as boys?
- Tell why Samuel Adams had great power over men.
- What kind of man was George III? Why did he so strongly desire that the colonists should be compelled to pay a tax to England?
- What was the tax law of 1767, and why did the colonists object to paying the new taxes?
- What led up to the “Boston Tea Party”? Imagine yourself one of the party, and tell what you did.
- In what way did George III and Parliament punish Boston for throwing the tea overboard? How did the colonies help the people of Boston at this time?
- What was the First Continental Congress, and what did it do?
- What do you admire in Samuel Adams?
CHAPTER III
THE WAR BEGINS NEAR BOSTON
When Parliament passed the Boston Port Bill, the King believed that such severe punishment would not only put a stop to further rebellious acts, but would cause the colonists to feel sorry for what they had done and incline them once more to obey him. Imagine his surprise and indignation at what followed!
