Essay #2 Reflection

--One of the strengths that I am developing when it comes to writing a paper is the ability to make multiple sentences flow in a paragraph. Another is being able to make my topic sentence in each paragraph relate to my thesis and main idea.

--At first I really struggled with developing an argument within my paper, so instead of just "vomiting" words, I read more information about my colony. That is another thing I struggled with: finding quotes and info related to my topic. It was a little harder than the first essay because I had to do a LOT of dense reading this time. 

--Having other people with your same colony made things a lot easier. I thought that was a good idea. That way everyone with the same colony could get ideas and sources from the pbwiki. 

Writing in this perspective was actually quite fun, and I think I did a lot better on this essay than the last one because I'm starting to get the hang of using my own voice in a paper and conveying a clearer message. In a way I am proud of this essay because I finished it with confidence and even with being sick. 

Final Essay #2- A Loyal Citizen to the Crown of Europe; New York 1777

Leah Vickers
11/21/08

A Loyal Citizen to the Crown of Europe; New York 1777

----As I, a loyal citizen to my fellow partners of Great Britain, walk along the streets of New York, I realize why so many people from other colonies are drawn here. It is beautiful and has great things to offer. The cobblestone sidewalks are filled with faces and there is a peace that surrounds you as you walk along the calm Hudson River with lush green grass and blue skies. Our many trading posts provide it easy for anyone to make a living. Farmers are able to sell and export crops and agriculture, and imported slaves become useful tools. Our land is beautiful, but “[…] immigrants as well as native New Yorkers were deserting the colony for the neighboring provinces due to the lack of free land in New York” (Kim). Our New York colony, like all the other thirteen colonies, is supported by our mother country, Britain. We owe our success to them, but I wish we didn’t have to part. We loyalists are outnumbered by patriots, and as of now the patriots have the attention of the British. Those patriots are so stubborn and full of themselves. They went behind our backs and wrote letters and pleas to other colonies and even to Europe. On May 13th, 1774 the patriots of Boston sent a letter to some of the patriots here in New York asking for help and stating how Britain had been “cruel and unjust” and they requested assistance in becoming detached. The New York Committee was unable to be of any help. But this certainly did not stop those ruffians from pursuing their dream of independence. I believe that the British have been an absolute wonder in helping our thirteen colonies become established. How else would Britain or any of the colonies gain success? Taxes must be imposed on anyone living in the colonies.


----Patrick Henry reflects this opposing view of taxes. If it weren’t for him, I don’t believe this whole “revolution” would have even begun in the first place. He and that Thomas Paine insist that no taxes be imposed upon anyone living in the colonies. How do they think that Britain will survive without us or us without them? I do not see what is so wrong about paying taxes if we are getting freedom in return. I don’t think that freedom is exactly a life or death situation. But according to Patrick Henry, who would rather have death over captivity and taxes, he and many others believe that being secluded from Britain will actually make them successful. The patriots believe “[…] that as America flourished under the former connexion with Great Britain, that the same connexion is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect” (Common Sense). I am wondering if this is really what the patriots want. I believe that separation from Great Britain will bring many trials and difficulties. They need to leave well enough alone and let the British make their own decisions because they are the founders of our colonies in the first place.

---- If the famous Patrick Henry’s ideas of war are taken into effect, the patriots could possibly irritate the British so much that they would be inclined to impose an even heavier tax upon us colonists! If Patrick Henry was so faithful to God then why did he insist in his document Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death that “[…] we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!” (Henry)? I don’t think that God intended us to fight over what we want. War only leads to death, and we are not to kill our neighbors! This is the biggest reason as to why I choose to remain loyal to the crown. I do not believe in war, and I do not want my children growing up thinking that it is okay to go out and kill people just to get attention or to get what you want. We don’t want to damage our trade with Great Britain. In my opinion, this is all that war will do for us, besides make us very unhappy.

----After the signing of The Declaration of Independence in 1776, 547 loyalists in New York, including me, signed and circulated “A Declaration of Dependence” to stay connected with Britain. We thought it was a good idea at the time, until we realized again how outnumbered we really were. Our declaration did nothing. I guess the patriots were just better at persuading the British into thinking it was their way or no way at all. My views will never change about being a loyalist. If we do end up being split apart from Great Britain, I will always remember the influence that Britain had on my family and I, and the respect that I had for them. I agree with the right to tax because it maintains success, and disagree with dependence in fear of struggling alone.

Work Cited:
1.) Paine, Thomas. "Common Sense." US History Jan, 1776 5 Nov 2008 http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm

2.) Henry, Patrick. "Give me Liberty or Give me Death." Avalon Project 23 Mar, 1775 31 Oct 2008 http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/patrick.asp

3.) Title: A New Look at the Great Landlords of Eighteenth-Century New York
Author(s): Sung Bok Kim
Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 27, No. 4 (Oct., 1970), pp. 581-614
Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1919705

Essay #2 Rough Draft 2- Loyalist from New York

Rough Draft
Essay 2

A Loyal Citizen to the Crown of Europe; New York

----As I, a loyal citizen to my fellow partners of Great Britain, walk along the streets of New York, I realize why so many people from other colonies are drawn here. It is beautiful and has great things to offer. Our many trading posts provide it easy for anyone to make a living. Farmers are able to sell and export crops and agriculture, and imported slaves become useful tools. Our land is beautiful, but “[…] immigrants as well as native New Yorkers were deserting the colony for the neighboring provinces due to the lack of free land in New York” (Kim). Our New York colony, like all the other thirteen colonies, is supported by our mother country, Britain. We owe our success to them, but I wish we didn’t have to part. We loyalists are outnumbered by patriots, and as of now the patriots have the attention of the British. Those patriots are so stubborn and full of themselves. They went behind our backs and wrote letters and pleas to other colonies and even to Europe. On May 13th, 1774 the patriots of Boston sent a letter to some of the patriots here in New York asking for help and stating how Britain had been “cruel and unjust” and they requested assistance in becoming detached. The New York Committee was unable to be of any help. But this certainly did not stop those ruffians from pursuing their dream of independence. I believe that the British have been an absolute wonder in helping our thirteen colonies become established. How else would Britain or any colonies gain success? The patriots do not understand that taxes must be imposed upon anyone living in the colonies.


----One man whom I am ever so angry with is that foolish writer, Patrick Henry. If it weren’t for him, I don’t believe this whole “revolution” would have even begun in the first place. He and that Thomas Paine insist that no taxes be imposed upon anyone living in the colonies. How do they think that Britain will survive without us? Or us without them? I do not see what is so wrong about paying taxes if we are getting freedom in return. I don’t think that freedom is exactly a life or death situation. But according to Patrick Henry, who would rather have death over captivity and taxes, he and many others believe that being secluded from Britain will actually make them successful. The patriots believe “[…] that as America flourished under the former connexion with Great Britain, that the same connexion is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect” (Common Sense). Is this really what they want? To struggle and try to survive on their own? I believe that separation from Great Britain will bring many trials and difficulties. They need to leave well enough alone and let the British make their own decisions because they are the founders of our colonies in the first place.

---- If Patrick Henry was so faithful to God then why did he insist in his document Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death that “[…] we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!” (Henry)? I don’t think that God intended us to fight over what we want. War only leads to death, and we are not to kill our neighbors! This is the biggest reason as to why I choose to remain loyal to the crown. I do not believe in war, and I do not want my children growing up thinking that it is okay to go out and kill people just to get attention or to get what you want. We don’t want to damage our trade with Great Britain. In my opinion, this is all that war will do for us, besides make us very unhappy. The patriots could possibly even irritate the British and they would be inclined to impose an even heavier tax upon us colonists!

----After the signing of The Declaration of Independence in 1776, 547 loyalists in New York, including me, signed and circulated “A Declaration of Dependence” to stay connected with Britain. We thought it was a good idea at the time, until we realized again how outnumbered we really were. Our declaration did nothing. I guess the patriots were just better at persuading the British into thinking it was their way or no way at all.

Work Cited:
1.) Paine, Thomas. "Common Sense." US History Jan, 1776 5 Nov 2008 http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm

2.) Henry, Patrick. "Give me Liberty or Give me Death." Avalon Project 23 Mar, 1775 31 Oct 2008 http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/patrick.asp

3.) Title: A New Look at the Great Landlords of Eighteenth-Century New York
Author(s): Sung Bok Kim
Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 27, No. 4 (Oct., 1970), pp. 581-614
Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1919705

Essay #2 Rough Draft- Loyalist from New York

Rough Draft
Essay 2

----As I, a loyal citizen to my fellow partners of Great Britain, walk along the streets of New York, I realize why so many people from other colonies are drawn here. It is beautiful and has great things to offer. Our many trading posts make it easy for anyone to make a living. I just wish we didn’t have to part from our friends in Britain. We loyalists are outnumbered by patriots, and as of now the patriots have the attention of the British. Those patriots are so stubborn and full of themselves. They went behind our backs and wrote letters and pleas to other colonies and even to Europe. On May 13th, 1774 the patriots of Boston sent a letter to some of the patriots here in New York asking for help and stating how Britain had been “cruel and unjust” and they requested assistance in becoming detached. The New York Committee was unable to be of any help. But this certainly did not stop those ruffians from pursuing their dream of independence. I believe that the British have been an absolute wonder in helping our 13 colonies become established. How else would Britain or any colonies gain success? The patriots do not understand that taxes must be imposed upon anyone living in the colonies.

----One man whom I am ever so angry with is that foolish writer, Patrick Henry. If it weren’t for him, I don’t believe this whole “revolution” would have even begun in the first place. He and that Thomas Paine insist that no taxes be imposed upon anyone living in the colonies. How do they think that Britain will survive without us? Or us without them? I do not see what is so wrong about paying taxes if we are getting freedom in return. I don’t think that freedom is exactly a life or death situation. But according to Patrick Henry, who would rather have death over captivity and taxes, he and many others believe that being secluded from Britain will actually make them successful.

---- If Patrick Henry was so faithful to God then why did he insist in his document Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death that “[…] we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!”? I don’t think that God intended us to fight over what we want. War only leads to death, and we are not to kill our neighbors! This is the biggest reason as to why I choose to remain loyal to the crown. I do not believe in war, and I do not want my children growing up thinking that it is okay to go out and kill people just to get attention or to get what you want. We don’t want to damage our trade with Great Britain. In my opinion, this is all that war will do for us, besides make us very unhappy.

----After the signing of The Declaration of Independence in 1776, 547 loyalists in New York, including myself, signed and circulated “A Declaration of Dependence” to stay connected with Britain. We thought it was a good idea at the time, until we realized, again, how outnumbered we really were.

Essay #2 Outline- Loyalist from New York

I am a loyalist in New York City.

I. The amount of loyalists in the entire American Population in 1776 that remained loyal to the crown was only 1/5.

--A. The loyalists saw the patriots as unscrupulous, violent, self-interested men who only want power for themselves. They didn't really appreciate the bonds with the British and the protection and trade. They wanted everything separate and secluded to only themselves.

----1. The patriots tried so hard to persuade Britain into separating with their declarations and letters.

-------2. Loyalists were so angry about the publishing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 that 547 New York loyalists signed and circulated the Declaration of Dependence.

II. Loyalists saw the break with Britain a threat to trade and said that war would damage their ties.

--A. The patriots wanted full respect from the British, but loyalists saw it as selfishness.

----1. “That the enjoyment of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are essential rights which every Government ought to respect and preserve.”

Work Cited:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ratny.asp

Text Analysis- The Crisis

--Who is writing?

The writer of this document was the English, intellectual author, Thomas Paine.

--Who is the audience?

I think that the audience, like in the past few documents, is the colonists. Paine is sharing his views on the present state of affairs with the other colonists

--Who do the writers represent?

In this case, the writer Thomas Paine represents the voice of the people in America. They mostly all shared the same feelings about Britain and how it was corrupt and controlling, and Thomas Paine was the one who tried to change that. He is representing a knowledgeable and sympathetic man.

--What is being said, argued and/or requested?

Paine is saying that now is the best time than ever to take control of what is going on between Britain. He says that God is the only one who can obtain absolute and unlimited power.

--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?

Paine wrote this document with confidence and did not care what anyone thought of him. He seems to be encouraging and complimentary also. He stated, "I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection." He says everything without fear, "I thank God, that I fear not."

--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?

Thomas Paine's strong religious beliefs are displayed all throughout the document. He exclaims "[...] that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them usupportedly."

Text Analysis: Common Sense

Who is Writing?
The writer of this document is Thomas Paine.

Who is the audience?
Thomas Paine is directing this document to the colonists of America. He asks questions in the document to draw them in and get them interested.

Who do the writers represent?
In my opinion Paine is representing change in America. Basically, he wants to be free from Britain's rule and evil attacks. Why would Britain attack America in the first place? America is filled with British occupants.

What is being said, argued and/ or requested?
America obviously wants to be free from Britain. Paine refers to Britain as the "mother country" which it most certainly is, but in my opinion, Paine is wondering when America can venture off on its own, just as a child grows up and moves away from its "mother."
If anything goes wrong with America's trade with Europe, then America's trade "goes to ruin" because of Britain's rule over them and their connection with Britain.
Paine spoke for mostly all colonists when he stated, "Your future connection with Britain, whom you can neither love nor honour, will be forced and unnatural, and being formed only on the plan of present convenience, will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first. "

How is it being said, argued and/ or requested?
Paine really shows his emotion in this document and his tone is very tired and fed-up with the treatment from Great Britain. As Paine says, some argue that Britain has protected America and they deserve gratitude, but he believes that Britain has been unjust and that America deserves gratitude for their loyalty.

What proof and/ or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
Paine explains the lack of respect from Britain. Religion is strong in the colonies and no one can argue against the word of God. It seems to me that the colonies are using their religious Belief as a way to break away From Britain. The British cannot argue (deny) the facts about what the colonies believe. I think that the British have no choice but to allow the Colonists to Break away.