Page:History of the Supreme court of the United States (IA historyofsupreme00myeriala).pdf/77



The American Revolution of 1776 did not proceed from any intrinsic popular impetus for national independence. On the part of the intelligent elements of the working class, conscious of the oppression to which they were subjected, there had long been a smoldering sense of revolt; but it was a revolt against the tyranny of the manorial lords and other masters. At times it had broken out into spasmodic and abortive uprisings, which, necessarily local in their scope, had been speedily put down, and the leaders imprisoned or executed.

These outbreaks were not against British laws and exactions; they arose from conditions in Dutch, as well as in British, colonics. The laws weighing so intensely upon the various grades of the working population were, in general principle, imitated from the European codes, chiefly the British, Jn special character and adaptation, however, they were of native make. They were demanded, drafted and enlarged by the manorial lords and merchants in the colonial councils and legislatures, and enforced by officials of the same class. The remonstrances of the settlers to Lord Bellomont and Governor Wright revealed how, when a favorable occasion came, appeals for relief were made over the heads of the legislatures direct to the British Government.

The Revolution was declared by a combination of powerful men of the day—even then styled in official proclamations as capitalists—controlling much of the valuable natural resources and their products. Some of these dissatisfied