Betsy Ross Flag - Network Design



 Protocols of Liberty: Communication, Innovation, and teh American Revolution [Book Banner from Title Page Image] Betsy Ross Flag - Network Design
William Warner [Author Name]
The University of Chicago Press [Publisher Name]
Overview [Link]
Introduction [Link]
Chapter 1 [Link]
Chapter 2 [Link]
Chapter 3 [Link]
Chapter 4 [Link]
Chapter 5 [Link]
Chapter 6 [Link]
Conclusion [Link]

Diagramming a sentence that performs Independence and promises to support it.

The Virigina Convention that assembled before the Lee resolution was placed on the floor of Congress found a very simple language for the Congress to use in asserting its independence of Britain. (SEE reprint of the resolve of the Virginia Convention below). It advocates that the "general congress" use this simple language:

"[THE CONGRESS] DECLARE THE UNITED COLONIES FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, absolved from all allegiance to; or dependence upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain."

Resolution of the Virginia Convention on 17 May 1776. Reprinted in The Boston Gazette, 24 June 1776: Resolution of the Virginia Convention on 17 May 1776. Reprinted in The Boston Gazette, 24 June 1776.

However, perhaps feeling that such a bald assertion of its authority would be inadaquate, the Congress used the resources of langauge to enhance the moral, legal, and religious weight of its declaration. To do this, Congress used a number of modifying and qualifying words and clauses to frame and explain, bolster and ground its authority to make this declaration. [See chart at right.] The words underlined are from the original resolution put before Congress by Richard Henry Lee on 7 June 1776.

Subject “We, therefore,
1st modifying phrase the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
2nd modifying phrase in General Congress, Assembled,
1st modifying clause

 appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,
1st verb (secondary) do,
1st clause modifying verb

in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies,
2nd and 3rd verbs (primary)
modified by adverb		 solemnly publish and declare,
Object 1: The three clauses of the Richard Henry Lee resolution that
was introduced on 7 June, discussed
and then tabled on 10 June, and
ratified by Congress on 2 July 1776.  		That these United Colonies are, and of Right 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 the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
Object 2: The future implications of
the Lee resolution, once realized, are clarified by Congress’s enumerating
the powers claimed for these “independent states.”		 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.
2nd sentence: The supplementary promise of the signatories binds them
to support the words with which Congress had declared independence. 		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.”

 
Back to Top