Diary of the American Revolution from Newspapers and Original Documents (Volume 1)
By Frank Moore
The materials of these volumes are taken from Whig and Tory newspapers, published during the American Revolution, private diaries, and other cotemporaneous writings. They present to the student of this day the same view the readers of the revolutionary period enjoyed - the manners and customs of the people, and the moral and religious, as well as political features of the time.
As far as practicable, the language of the writers has been preserved. For every assertion presented the reader will find an authority which must be his guide in ascertaining its value in an historical point of view; while, at the same time, he must keep in mind the truth that the errors and lampoons of a period belong as much to its history as the facts and flatteries.
Among the newspapers from which the editor has drawn his material, no one requires an especial notice in this place; a history of the periodical writers of the last century would in itself exceed the limits of these volumes. Such a work would prove an interesting and important addition to the literature of America.
In conclusion, the editor acknowledges his obligations for the many favors and facilities extended to him by the various Historical Societies of the United States, most especially to the officers of the New York Historical Society, from whom he has received the most valuable assistance.
Excerpt from Chapter I
January 1.--The chief troubles of our Israel are the Philantrops, the Ilazlerods, the Sir Froths, the Tims, the Bens, and the Bobs. These are men, who, for large shares in the American plunder, have sold themselves to do wickedly. The barbarians who have been aiding and assisting bad governors and abandoned ministers, in all their attempts to subjugate and enslave these once happy colonies: the hireling prostitutes who have been constantly representing to ministry that the friends of liberty were a small, insignificant, divided faction; that the people had not virtue to sacrifice any parts of the profits of their trade, or the luxury of their living for the sake of their country; or spirit to withstand the least exertion of power. These are traitors who were for none but licensed town-meetings, and gave administration the outlines of the execrable Boston Port Bill and the other detestable bills for destroying the charter, and those sacred compacts which Americans once thought were of some value, the faith of kings being the security. These are the unblushing advocates for pensioned governors, dependent judges, hired attorneys, and sheriff created jurors, that the people might, under color of law, by stript of their property, without their...
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