of law, loyalty, faith, and blood, though dwelling in various countries, will not suffer the transcendent relation formed by these ties to be further violated in uncertain expectation of effects which, if obtained, can never compensate for the calamities through which they must be gained."

4. The administration declared their determination never to relax in their measures of coercion until America was forced into obedience. On the 18th of April, 1775, the first blood of the Revolution was shed at Lexington, Massachusetts. On the 17th of June following, the battle of Bunker Hill was fought. An act was passed prohibiting all trade and commerce with the colonies, authorizing the capture and condemnation of all American vessels, with their cargoes, and all other vessels found trading in any port in the colonies. The vessels and property were vested in the captors, and the masters, crews, and other persons found on board any captured vessel, were to be put on board any English armed vessel, and were to be considered in the service of his majesty, to all intents and purposes as though they had entered voluntarily into his majesty's service; thus compelling the Americans to be the executioners of their nearest relatives and dearest friends.

5. As soon as the news of the passage of this act reached America, the Continental Congress directed reprisals to be made, both by public and private armed vessels, against the ships and goods of the inhabitants of England found on the high seas. They also opened their ports to all the world, except Great Britain. In this state of affairs, it

what four reasons did they implore his majesty, as the loving father of his whole people, not to suffer these relations to be further violated?

4. What did the administration declare? When was the first blood of the Revolution shed? Where? When was the second battle fought? What act was passed by parliament? What did this act authorize? In whom were the vessels and property vested? What was to be done with the masters, crews, and other persons found on board? How were they to be considered? What did this compel the Americans to become?

5. As soon as the passage of this act became known to the Continental Congress, what did they direct? To whom did they open their ports? What seemed preposterous to the colonists in this state of affairs?

was preposterous for the colonists to consider themselves as exercising any powers of government under any authority of England.

6. On the 7th of June, 1776, a resolution was offered in the Continental Congress, "That the United Colonies are, and ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." The next day it was debated in committee of the whole, and soon after adopted by a large majority. A committee was appointed to prepare a declaration of independence, which was made public on the 4th of July, 1776, a little more than thirteen months after the first battle was fought.

7. In the Declaration of Independence the causes which impelled the colonies to dissolve the political bonds which connected them with the government of England, are set forth. The king of Great Britain (George III.) is charged with committing repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over the colonies. Twenty-seven specific charges are made against the king. In commenting upon these charges, they say: "In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

8. They then declare, in the name and by the authority of the people, that the United Colonies are, and ought to

6. What action was taken in the Continental Congress on the 7th of June, 1776? When was this resolution taken up and debated? For what purpose was a committee appointed? When was this declaration made public? How long after the first battle was fought?

7. What is set forth in the Declaration of Independence? Who was then king of Great Britain? With what is he charged? How many specific charges are made? In every stage of these oppressions, what action did the colonists take? How were their petitions answered? How is the character of the prince marked? For what is he unfit?

8. What does Congress then declare, in the name and by the authority

be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do. For the support of this declaration they mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

CHAPTER X.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.

1. On Friday, the 7th day of June, 1776, the question of separation from the mother country was brought before the Continental Congress. The next day it was debated in secret session, and agreed to. On Monday following a committee was appointed to prepare articles of confedera tion. The committee reported twenty articles, only thirteen of which were finally adopted. These were adopted on the 15th of November, 1777, by Congress, and sent to the several States for ratification. They were finally ratified by Congress, in 1778. They continued in force until the adoption of the present constitution, on the 4th day of March, 1789.

2. By the Articles of Confederation, the style of the confederacy was to be "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

of the people? From what are they absolved? As free and independent States, what powers were they declared to possess? What did they pledge in support of the declaration?

1. When was the question of separation from the mother country brought before Congress? When was the committee to prepare articles of confederation appointed? How many articles were reported? How many adopted? How long did they continue in force?

2. What was to be the style of the confederacy? What was each

Each State was to retain its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right which was not by the confederation expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled. By the Articles of Confederation the States entered into a FIRM LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP with each other for their common defence, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare. They bound themselves to assist each other against all attacks made upon them for any pretence whatever. The inhabitants of each of the States (paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted) were to be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States. The people of each State were to have free ingress and egress to and from any other State. They were to enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, and be subject to the same restrictions and duties as the inhabitants. No State could subject the property of the other States or of the United States to any restrictions or duties. If any person charged with treason, murder, or other high misdemeanor in one State should flee to another State, he was to be delivered up on demand of the governor of the State from which he fled, and removed to the State having jurisdiction of the offence.

3. Full faith and credit was to be given in each State to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings in every other State. Delegates to Congress were to be annually appointed by the legislatures of each State. Each State reserved to itself the power to recall its delegates, and send others in their stead for the remainder of the year. No State was to have less than two, nor more than seven delegates. No person was to be a delegate for more than

State to retain? Into what did the States enter by the Articles of Confederation? For what purpose? To what did they bind themselves? To what were the inhabitants of each State entitled? What were they to enjoy in other States? To what were they subject? What property was exempt from duty? What was the agreement as to delivering fugitives from justice?

8. To what was full faith and credit to be given in each State? By whom were delegates to Congress to be appointed? For what time?

three years, in any term of six years. Delegates were not competent to hold any office under the United States, for which they would receive any salary or fees. Each State was to maintain its own delegates. Each State was to have one vote only in Congress. Members could not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, for any speech or debate in Congress. They were privileged from arrest in going to, attending on, and returning from Congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.

4. No State was to send or receive any ambassador, or enter into any conference or alliance with any king, prince, or State. No person holding any office of trust or profit under the United States or any State could accept any present, office, emolument, or title from any king, prince, or foreign State. The United States and each State were prohibited from granting any title of nobility. No two States could enter into any treaty between themselves, without the consent of Congress. No State could lay any duties which would interfere with any of the treaties entered into by the United States. No State was to keep any vessels of war in time of peace, without consent of Congress. Every State was to keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, fully armed and equipped. No State was to engage in war without the consent of the United States, unless actually invaded, or the danger so imminent as not to admit of delay. No State was to grant letters of marque or reprisal, unless such State is infested with pirates.

What power in reference to its delegates did each State reserve to itself? What was to be the number of delegates? For what time appointed? For what time eligible? To what offices were they ineligible? How supported? How many votes was each State to have in Congress? To what privilege of speech were they entitled? When privileged from arrest?

4. Could a State send or receive ambassadors? Could a State enter into an alliance with any king, prince, or foreign State? Who were prohibited from accepting any present, office, emolument, or title from any king, prince, or foreign State? What governments were prohibited from granting titles of nobility? Could two States form a treaty between