Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/17

 Rh England which show the surprise of the writers that they found themselves drinking the water of the brooks while their brothers in England were drinking beer. Ultimately the use of beer as a familiar beverage died out in New England and its use there now comes not from English habits, but from those of Germany.

It is to be observed again that the Thirteen Colonies which made the United States of America were practically republics from the very beginning. There were certain English formalities in legislation or in the appointment of officers. But these were independent republics before the Declaration of Independence. Indeed, that Declaration declares what was already existing, and virtually speaks of the existing condition of affairs as resting upon rights which they had always asserted.

In 1675 the New England colonists were at war with King Philip and the Indians, actually for their existence. The real question was whether the Indians should sweep them into the sea or not. The forces were about equal. After it was over some of their friends in England asked them why they did not appeal to England for assistance. The reply showed very distinctly that they regarded themselves as an independent state. The colony of Massachusetts would not have applied to England for powder or bullets, far less for troops, any more than it would have applied to France or to Spain. It was with the greatest reluctance, indeed, that they received a governor from England at the end of that century. They took care to show him that he was their servant, and not their master. When Lord Bellomont was attending on a sermon preached before the General Court of Massachusetts, he said to Lady Bellomont, "You must remember, my dear, that these gentlemen give us our bread." This was seventy-five years before the Revolution; and that was, indeed, the position of the royal governor—that he must consider first his dependence upon the people and make his dependence upon the king fall in with it if he could.

Such are a few of the conditions, perhaps the most important,