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Phillbo
RO# 2553
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 11:19:01
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When you are on your boat this holiday think about this!!
"Our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor."
Our Founding Fathers paid the price for the United States of America.
By Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist
Copyright 2000 Boston Globe
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted 12-0 -- New York abstained -- in favor of Richard Henry Lee's resolution "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."
On July 4, the Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson -- heavily edited by Congress -- was adopted without dissent. On July 8, the Declaration was publicly proclaimed in Philadelphia. On July 15, Congress learned that the New York Legislature had decided to endorse the Declaration. On Aug. 2, a parchment copy was presented to the Congress for signature. Most of the 56 men who put their name to the document did so that day.
And then?
We tend to forget that to sign the Declaration of Independence was to commit an act of treason -- and the punishment for treason was death. To publicly accuse George III of "repeated injuries and usurpations," to announce that Americans were therefore "Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown," was a move fraught with danger -- so much so that the names of the signers were kept secret for six months
They were risking everything, and they knew it. That is the meaning of the Declaration's soaring last sentence:
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
Most of the signers survived the war; several went on to illustrious careers.
Two of them became presidents of the United States, and among the others were future vice presidents, senators, and governors. But not all were so fortunate.
Nine of the 56 died during the Revolution, and never tasted American independence.
Five were captured by the British.
Eighteen had their homes -- great estates, some of them - looted or burnt by the enemy.
Some lost everything they owned.
Two were wounded in battle.
Two others were the fathers of sons killed or captured during the war.
"Our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." It was not just a rhetorical flourish.
We all recognize John Hancock's signature, but who ever notices the names beneath his? William Ellery, Thomas Nelson, Richard Stockton, Button Gwinnett, Francis Lewis -- to most of us, these are names without meaning.
But each represents a real human being, some of whom paid dearly "for the support of this Declaration" and American independence.
Lewis Morris of New York, for example, must have known when he signed the Declaration that he was signing away his fortune. Within weeks, the British ravaged his estate, destroyed his vast woodlands, butchered his cattle, and sent his family fleeing for their lives.
Another New Yorker, William Floyd, was also forced to flee when the British plundered his property. He and his family lived as refugees for seven years without income. The strain told on his wife; she died two years before the war ended.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, an aristocratic planter who had invested heavily in shipping, saw most of his vessels captured by the British navy. His estates were largely ruined, and by the end of his life he was a pauper.
The home of William Ellery, a Rhode Island delegate, was burned to the ground during the occupation of Newport.
Thomas Heyward Jr., Edward Rutledge, and Arthur Middleton, three members of the South Carolina delegation, all suffered the destruction or vandalizing of their homes at the hands of enemy troops. All three were captured when Charleston fell in 1780, and spent a year in a British prison.
"Our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
Thomas Nelson Jr. of Virginia raised $2 million for the patriots' cause on his own personal credit. The government never reimbursed him, and repaying the loans wiped out his entire estate. During the battle of Yorktown, his house, which had been seized by the British, was occupied by General Cornwallis. Nelson quietly urged the gunners to fire on his own home. They did so, destroying it. He was never again a man of wealth. He died bankrupt and was buried in an unmarked grave.
Richard Stockton, a judge on New Jersey's supreme court, was betrayed by loyalist neighbors. He was dragged from his bed and thrown in prison, where he was brutally beaten and starved. His lands were devastated, his horses stolen, his library burnt. He was freed in 1777, but his health had so deteriorated that he died within five years. His family lived on charity for the rest of their lives.
In the British assault on New York, Francis Lewis's home and property were pillaged. His wife was captured and imprisoned; so harshly was she treated that she died soon after her release. Lewis spent the remainder of his days in relative poverty.
And then there was John Hart. The speaker of the New Jersey Assembly, he was forced to flee in the winter of 1776, at the age of 65, from his dying wife's bedside. While he hid in forests and caves, his home was demolished, his fields and mill laid waste, and his 13 children put to flight. When it was finally safe for him to return, he found his wife dead, his children missing, and his property decimated. He never saw any of his family again and died, a shattered man, in 1779.
The men who signed that piece of parchment in 1776 were the elite of their colonies. They were men of means and social standing, but for the sake of liberty, they pledged it all -- their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
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Edited by - Phillbo on Jul 03 2012 15:50:19
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Homeport: Arizona
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In the know
RO# 20824
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 11:32:44
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And the connection to boating is...?
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The enemy of society - the HUTAL |
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Homeport: The Ocean State
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saltysam
RO# 26
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 12:05:58
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ITK---Perhaps the celebration of our National Birthday Party transends the routine admin blather... I THINK SUCH PATRIOTIC INFO SHOULD BE WELCOMED....anywhere on this site..
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Cheers!
Bill |
Edited by - saltysam on Jul 03 2012 12:06:53 |
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Homeport: New River, Ft Lauderdale
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Phillbo
RO# 2553
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 12:35:15
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I'll be on my boat on the 4th. 6 days on Lake Powell.
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Homeport: Arizona
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In the know
RO# 20824
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 Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 12:57:37
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quote:
Originally posted by saltysam
ITK---Perhaps the celebration of our National Birthday Party transends the routine admin blather... I THINK SUCH PATRIOTIC INFO SHOULD BE WELCOMED....anywhere on this site..
So then, there are rules, then the special class of rules. Okay, got it.
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The enemy of society - the HUTAL |
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Homeport: The Ocean State
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Philyteach
RO# 11439
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 13:26:08
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Independence day is an Orwellian Pig. Thank you to all the soldiers,sailors, airmen, marines and coasties that keep it that way.
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Okay, I'll bite. Does this tagline fix it all? |
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Homeport: Philadelphia
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Phillbo
RO# 2553
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 13:28:59
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Instruct me on how to delete this thread and I will... Did not mean to break the rules or piss anyone off.
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Homeport: Arizona
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sugilbert
RO# 3854
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 13:47:58
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Philbo, you did good! The nay-sayers can go pack it up their arses!
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Steve
"L'Chiam" 29' 2000 Regal Commodore 2660 (2765) T/4.3 Alphas |
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Homeport: Michigan City/South Bend, IN
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saltysam
RO# 26
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 14:07:13
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Hey Philbo--Most all of the gang here share your positive views about patriotism. Good post !
Hope you and your family have a great day.
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Cheers!
Bill |
Edited by - saltysam on Jul 03 2012 14:08:09 |
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Homeport: New River, Ft Lauderdale
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In the know
RO# 20824
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 14:20:48
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Cool, lets close NBR. No need for an off topic area, ATC covers it all.
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The enemy of society - the HUTAL |
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Homeport: The Ocean State
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EdFitz
RO# 32779
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 14:31:23
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O God, heaven forbid we speak of such non boating subjects in this forum!
By the way, where exactly does it say in the "rules" (I assume you mean the forum guidelines - link a tht ebottom of the page) that we can't post about a subject not related to boating? As a matter of FACT, the sub-title of the "Ask the Captain" forum is "Discussing everything - good and bad!"
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Ed
2001 Bayliner Ciera 245 |
Edited by - EdFitz on Jul 03 2012 14:34:03 |
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Homeport: OC, MD
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In the know
RO# 20824
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 14:34:45
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quote:
Originally posted by EdFitz
O God, heaven forbid we speak of such non boating subjects in this forum!
Fine, but be consistent then. Either let non boating topics in ATC or don't.
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The enemy of society - the HUTAL |
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Homeport: The Ocean State
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Phillbo
RO# 2553
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 14:39:26
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Sorry guys. Did not mean to fire this guy up.
I don't have access to and forgot about the NBR section. I've been away from the site for quite a while ( George owned it when I use to post) but have recently purchased another boat and find myself posting more. Maybe it's time for an anchor.
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Homeport: Arizona
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EdFitz
RO# 32779
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 14:39:30
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WHO CAREES if we're consistent? What's the big deal, anyway?
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Ed
2001 Bayliner Ciera 245 |
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Homeport: OC, MD
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rnbenton
RO# 31163
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 15:18:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Phillbo
Sorry guys. Did not mean to fire this guy up.
I don't have access to and forgot about the NBR section. I've been away from the site for quite a while ( George owned it when I use to post) but have recently purchased another boat and find myself posting more. Maybe it's time for an anchor.
Just edit the first line of your post to read "When you are on your boat this holiday think about this" and you'll be covered. 
Good post!! Thanks.
Bob
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Captain, Sea Tow Central Florida, St. Johns River
Key West 196 Bay Reef, 150 Yamaha
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Homeport: Palm Coast, FL
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HOGAN
RO# 3813
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 Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 15:20:10
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I think ITK got ahold of BC's meds...
I'll be on my boat on the 4th, so it is boating related.
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_________________________
1999 Trojan 440 Express
2005 Scout 175 Sportfish
Achilles LEX 96
MMSI# 338049724
Surly to bed, surly to rise... |
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Homeport: SS3 @ PennyBridge Marina, Stony Point, NY
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Phillbo
RO# 2553
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 15:50:46
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LOL.... Done !
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Homeport: Arizona
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PeteMrrs
RO# 4125
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 16:59:34
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Happy 4th of July everyone!! We won't be on our boat as there are just to many non-boaters renting small crafts and PWC's on the waterway to make it enjoyable. They turn it into their own personal test track. We will instead "party by the pool" and wait for a better day.
Not sure if this is boating related or I guess Non-boating related. Anyways everyone have a safe and happy 4th!!
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| If you are not enjoying every single day, you are just depleting the oxygen supply for the rest of us! |
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Homeport: Osprey Marina, Myrtle Beach SC
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robedney
RO# 15560
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 17:50:04
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Hey, I'm a knee jerk liberal and enjoyed the original post. It's a holiday, after all -- and a good time to remember the cost to patriots then and particularly now. Patriotism doesn't belong to any particular affiliation, nor does boating. We're all on the water together, after all. One of my freedoms as an American is to own a boat and take it nearly anywhere I want to on American waterways -- except the South tower of the Golden Gate Bridge -- a hot fishing hole. Homeland Security chased all the fishing boats away -- private and charter. Better than rebuilding the Bridge I guess :)
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Robert
Remember, if you are going boating -- take your boat. Don't ask me how I know this.
60' custom steel trawler
29' Luhrs (for fishing!) |
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Homeport: San Francisco Bay, California
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rawidman
RO# 25110
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 19:35:09
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While it falls on July 4th, the holiday is really "Independence Day" and that's something we should remember and what we should call it.
Anyone for celebrating December 25th?
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Ron
2000 Camano Troll |
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Homeport: Charleston, SC
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rawidman
RO# 25110
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 19:40:07
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quote:
Originally posted by In the know
And the connection to boating is...?
The connection to boating is, if someone boats just once a year, Independence Day is probably the day.
Personally, on Independence Day, my boat either stays in a slip or it's anchored by 3PM and doesn't move until the next day.
I like to sit on the dock behind my boat and watch one hundred drunken boaters try to get their boats out of the water and onto the trailers at the samee time.
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Ron
2000 Camano Troll |
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Homeport: Charleston, SC
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mdoherty
RO# 12220
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Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 22:47:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Phillbo
Carter Braxton of Virginia, an aristocratic planter who had invested heavily in shipping, saw most of his vessels captured by the British navy. His estates were largely ruined, and by the end of his life he was a pauper.
Sounds boating related to me.
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Homeport: Edgewater, MD
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Newbie509
RO# 30359
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Posted - Jul 04 2012 : 19:17:14
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My boat is considered part of my life,fortune and sacred honor; so the post applies. Don't like it, don't read it! Build a bridge and get over it.
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34' 1987 Sea Ray EC
What were once vices are now habits |
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Homeport: Westbrook, CT
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - Jul 04 2012 : 19:50:47
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My wife and I are in the boat anchored behind LBI we should be able to see the fireworks from 5 different municipalities which includes Atlantic City.
To everyone that served you have our respect.
Phillbo good post don't sweat it, not that I can give you a pass!
Lets all celebrate the 4th!
Bill & Jan
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on Jul 04 2012 19:52:43 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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Pa Mikee
RO# 32785
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Posted - Jul 04 2012 : 20:09:11
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'Boating related' or not; this is a holiday. Those who signed it essentially were signing a death warrant; little to gain but everything to lose. Would Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, or Mitt Romney take such a risk now a day?
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July 4th
