On this day 250 years ago in East Greenwich, Rhode Island,
the Kentish guards, commanded by Col. Richard Fry, appeared in their uniforms; about 12 o’clock they drew up on the parade before the State-House, when the Declaration of the General Congress, declaring these Colonies Free and Independent States, was read; likewise a resolve of the Assembly concurring with the same; which was announced by a discharge of thirteen cannon at Fort Daniel; next the guards fired thirteen follies; this was followed by three huzza’s from a numerous body of inhabitants; they then repair’d to Arnold’s Hall, where, after partaking of a very decent collation, the following patriotic toasts were drank:
1. The Thirteen United States of America.
2. The General Congress of the American States.
3. General Washington.
4. The American army.
5. Augmentation of the American navy.
6. In memory of those immortal heroes who have fallen in the American cause.
7. May a happy rule of government be established in the State of Rhode-Island.
8. American manufactures.
9. Free trade with all the world.
10. May true patriotism warm the breast of every American.
11. May the independency of the American States be firmly established, and a speedy peace take place.
12. May Liberty expand her sacred wings, and in glorious effort diffuse her influence o’er and o’er the globe
As indicated in the last toast, the People of the United States knew that their Declaration of Independence was based on principles of Liberty that applied worldwide, and that the Declaration would be a model for other nations.
Source: Newport Mercury (July 29, 1776) quoted at https://declaration.fas.harvard.edu/blog/july-proclamations
On this day 250 years ago an eight-ship fleet commanded by Lord William Dunmore had sailed up the Potomac River to Acquia Creek in Stafford County, Virginia. The British fleet comprised the 44-gun frigate HMS Roebuck, the 6-gun frigate HMS Dunmore, a row galley with a six-pound cannon and five swivel guns, and three tenders escorting the transport William mounting two cannons and the unarmed transport Anna, which were carrying 108 Loyalist and British Army and marines. The British ships landed these men and they attacked with the support of the ships’ cannon, 100 Stafford County militia gathered at the plantation of William Brent. The Stafford County militia fired on the British but were driven off and the British burned Brent’s mansion, outbuildings and haystacks. Prince William County militia then arrived to reinforce the Stafford County militia and drove the British raiders back to their ships. The Virginia militia and British forces each suffered about 15 casualties killed and wounded in the Stafford County raid. The British fleet then fired on and dispersed 300 Maryland militia gathered on the opposite side of the Potomac and began sailing back down the Potomac.
Source: Wrike at 92-94; Selby at 126;
On This Day In The Revolution 