Massachusetts no longer a place for quiet voices

A letter of declaration to my parents; November, 1776


Mother and Father, please know that I am loyal to you and I trust that you will hear my plea and justification as to why I must leave from under your care. I have watched the British over take Massachusetts and their actions convey disrespect to what this land is. Controlling us as if we are their dog to kick, and here in Massachusetts where I was raised by you I have witnessed these things; destroying our economic values, overtaking us with control and manipulation, and using us for Britain’s profit/growth. You are my only family and you have allowed the British to walk all over our values and even what we believe. I mean no disrespect to you and I highly honor who you are but I must speak my mind. I support the separation from Britain and anything that directly ties us to them.

Father first I must state my sentiments to you; all my life I have heard you support the very people who have ruined your place of business because of their selfish taxes laws. You were thriving in Boston the most economic port in the thirteen colonies, but as soon as the British starting taxes practically everything you couldn’t keep up with the demand. We lost our home because of it and yet you still act as though it doesn’t affect you or us. I grew up with tension on the streets people rising up to take a stand against the injustice, anti law petitions up everywhere, riots, and these people stood up against the British because they believed in being free. Do you remember back in 1774 when I was fourteen and the patriots decided to dump out all of the tea the British were having come in port in Boston. I do I remember it so well , we were watching from the harbor as they poured out all the tea dressed up in what I thought was a silly disguise , but they did it because the British were crossing the line over taxing and controlling us the colonist of Massachusetts. I felt in that moment a ordained right to feel what they felt. Then the British took it to a height I couldn’t swallow or even conceive they closed the Boston harbor. I cannot understand how you perceived what the British did ,but I do know you read the Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence and that one statement “This attack, though made immediately upon us, is doubtless designed for every other colony who will not surrender their sacred rights and liberties into the hands of an infamous ministry. Now therefore is the time when all should be united in opposition to this violation of the liberties of all.” As I heard you read this one statement I saw the change in your perception of who those rebels or patriot were and what they meant , and you knew they meant that their freedoms were their own not anyone else’s and they were not going to give up. You respected them I knew this, but you didn’t boldly come out and say it. Father you supported both sides because you were afraid and I understand that, but I cannot hide nor can I be ally to both sides.


Mother now I must address you; Writing this letter to you and father is difficult but especially to you. My whole life you have brought me up to embrace who Iwas. You support the very thing my character is against how can embrace who I am if you don’t support what I stand for. I must confess that I am part of a secret union where I plan strategies and address issues that have divided colonists everywhere. What Britain has done is wrong and I believe you know these, deep down you know it. The Acts alone should have proved where we were headed and right now we are at a climax of decisions. You were there when the acts took place, I was too young to remember or even formulate what I thought. But the stamp act, tea act, Quartering act, and so forth were all the product of problems caused by the pride of Britain. In the acts in which I keep recorded of the stamp act given by Great Britain they have stated clearly “ an act made in the last session of parliament, several duties were granted, continued, and appropriated, towards defraying the expences of defending, protecting, and securing, the British colonies and plantations in America: and whereas it is just and necessary, that provision be made for raising a further revenue within your MajestyÂ’s dominions in America…]” everything they do is for selfish profit they don’t care if it hurts us economically as long as it brings a greater revenue and profit to Britain. You had to suffer through the business falling apart and how it affected father, I admire your strength for keeping this family afloat when father went through his breakdown, but now things are different its time to break away from Britain we can no longer tolerate their abusive power. In the Resolutions of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Agreeing to the Virginia Proposal whereas this House is fully sensible of the necessity and importance of a union of the several colonies in America, at a time when it clearly appears that the rights and liberties of all are systematically invaded; in order that the joint wisdom of the whole may be employed in consulting their common safety..]” So mother I am taking your motherly guidance and embracing who I am, I am a patriot for Boston Massachusetts.

I conclude this letter to state that we have all heard the talk of war in the past, but now it’s a reality has come. This revolutionary change has already begun and whether you stand against the separation of Britain or you don’t I am and that’s why I must leave. I am persuade by the passionate purists and I can bare it no longer I must do something, you have heard the petitions, and letters to motivate us I am moved with that persuasion. As Thomas pain said in the crisis; “THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” His words of wisdom have turned the hearts of men to stand in a hopeless time, I am standing for that glorious victory and you will someday see why being separated from Britain is important. I am leaving to fight in any way I can, I am a patriot standing for the freedom and belief that being divided from Britain is the only way to be liberated and granted back our divine rights as humans. So please know that I love and respect you, but I cannot sit back any longer I am choosing to do something. Massachusetts is our home and if we want the right to live in peace then this is the chose that needs to be made. Separating from Britain will be the overcoming victory once and for all.

Your daughter Rebecca.