Political Sermons of the American Founding Era: 1730–1805: In Two Volumes

Chronology, 1774-1781

Chronology 1774 SCRIPTURAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CIVIL RULERS, Samuel Sherwood Coercive Acts are passed by Parliament, which, among other things, closes Boston Harbor (Mar. 25). The colonists term these the "Intolerable Acts." The First Continental Congress adopts a "Statement of Rights and Grievances" (Oct. 14), which strongly foreshadows the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's A Summary View of the Rights of British America is published in Williamsburg. Other influential pamphlets appear, including James Wilson's Considerations on the Nature & Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament and John Adams's (as Novanglus) New England Letters. In November, Thomas Paine emigrates and settles in Philadelphia. 1775 A CALM ADDRESS TO OUR AMERICAN COLONIES, John Wesley A CONSTITUTIONAL ANSWER TO WESLEY'S CALM ADDRESS, Anonymous AMERICA'S APPEAL TO THE IMPARTIAL WORLD, Moses Mather In London, Edmund Burke makes a last-ditch appeal to the House of Commons to avert revolution in his Speech on ... Conciliation with the Colonies (Mar. 22). Patrick Henry delivers a speech in Richmond, concluding with "give me liberty, or give me death" (Mar. 23). The ride of Paul Revere and the battles of Lexington and Concord (Apr. 18-19) begin the Revolutionary War. Ministers, in sermons and reprinted sermons, are in the vanguard to justify independence, defend liberty as a fundamental good, and encourage their congregations to sacrifice. Over So percent of the politically relevant pamphlets published during the 1770s and 178os are either reprinted sermons or essays written by ministers. 37° CHRONOLOGY Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point are captured by the Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen and Seth Warner (May 10). The Second Continental Congress assembles at Philadelphia (May 10). Congress appoints George Washington commander-in-chief. The first pitched battle of the Revolution (June IS) is fought at Bunker's Hill, near Boston (June IS). The first anti-slavery society in America is formed in Philadelphia. Massachusetts adopts its 1692 Charter as a functioning state constitution. I776 THE CHURCH'S FLIGHT INTO THE WILDERNESS, Samuel Sherwood THE DOMINION OF PROVIDENCE OVER THE PASSIONS OF MEN, John Witherspoon THE BIBLE AND THE SWORD, John Fletcher The Declaration of Independence is passed (July 4), but New Hampshire, South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey have, at the suggestion of the Continental Congress, already written constitutions as independent states. The city of New York is occupied by the British (Sept. IS). The presidio of San Francisco is founded by colonists from Mexico under Captain Juan Bautista de Anza and Alfrez Jose Moraga (Sept. I?); Franciscan friars, led by Father Francisco Pal6u, established a mission one month later. Washington retreats to Harlem Heights with an army of mostly ill-trained militia. In the Battle of Trenton (Dec. 26), Washington crosses the Delaware River and captures I,ooo Hessians. Adam Smith publishes Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations in London, Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense," and John Adams publishes "Thoughts on Government." The era of state constitution-making in America begins: Eight states write new constitutions, and three adopt revised charters as constitutions. Three more states will write constitutions in I777, followed by one in I778, I78o, I784, and I786. Each state ratifies freedom of conscience, which includes religious belief, even though several states still have established churches. Prohibitions on Catholics holding office, common everywhere in I775, now disappear. I777 GOD ARISING AND PLEADING HIS PEOPLE'S CAUSE, Abraham Keteltas 1774--1781 37I The British are defeated at the Battle of Princeton (Jan. 3). Gen. Howe defeats Washington at Brandywine and then occupies Philadelphia (Sept. I I). Gen. Burgoyne is defeated at Saratoga and surrenders his entire army of 6,ooo (Oct. I7). Congress agrees to the Articles of Confederation and sends the document to the states for approval (Nov. I5). Mter a long approval process, the Articles take effect in I781. Washington winters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, amidst great suffering. I778 DIVINE JUDGMENTS UPON TYRANTS, Jacob Cushing The French become more active in supporting America against the British. The British invade the South and capture Savannah (Dec. 29). Massachusetts rejects a proposed state constitution, in part because it has no bill of rights. I779 Spain enters the war against Britain (June). Capt. John Paul Jones, in the Bonhomme Richard, defeats the British at sea (Sept. 2 3). The Universalist Church is founded, a Congregationalist offshoot that rejects the doctrine of predestination. I78o A SERMON ON THE DAY OF THE COMMENCEMENT...