Edward's Opinion of the Second Continental Congress
Edward is a Doctor of Medicine in Boston.
"The battles at Lexington and Concord served as a wake-up call that we desperately
need to be free from the tyranny of England. I have confidence in the Second
Continental Congress. The representatives of our colonies will wisely decide
the course of action for America. I believe they will proceed cautiously and
plan well. If we cannot convince the Crown to allow a peaceful separation however,
we must prepare for a long and arduous fight.
We have good reason to separate and govern ourselves. There are excellent
resources in our homeland so we don't need to depend on England. We also have
the sympathy of many foreign powers should we need their assistance. Working
together, we can find a way to finance a war. Colonel
George Washington was named the commander-in-chief of the newly formed American
Army. He is a widely respected and capable military leader.
Many citizens were persuaded to join the Patriots' cause when John
Dickinson and Thomas Jefferson wrote a stirring declaration of the Causes
and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. They write:
'The arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will... employ
for the preservation of our liberties, being with one mind resolved to die free
men rather than live slaves.'
We can no longer abide a stone-hearted king. We must unite the 13 colonies
with one common purpose; to break the harsh chains of English rule!"