September 14th, 1776

Greetings to you of Boston.

Today, musket smoke clouds the sky, and the sharp rat-tat-tat of the drums permeates the heavy silence that hangs before a battle. In your Revolution against conformity, you have sought freedom from the British regime. At last, it has come to this: full, brutal war. But even if you win your cause, only the white man will receive the individual, unalienable rights that accompany autonomy.

For years before the white people came to this land and made settlements here, we have lived off of the bounty of nature. I am no stranger to European customs and traditions, but I have the Wampanoag blood strong in me still. I too wish that the British would leave this continent for their gray, gloomy island and desist from polluting our land, but my people deserve the independence that all white civilians will receive upon their departure. We have fought against the Empire along with the colonists like brethren and my tribe has swelled your ranks. I can hear the murmurs and mutterings as you read this, saying, “Did not these traitors join with the enemy? How can they talk of such things as justice and egalitarianism?” Prithee, consider that the Wampanoag is in full agreement with the rebellion of the Patriots and shall continue to aid your movement. Our cousins the Iroquois have chosen to join the British out of vengeance; they will ne’er cease to try and purge this land of the colonists. But I make this clear that the Wampanoag will openly engage them if need be, so you may wholly see our faith in this endeavor. But when the Patriots prevail, we want entitlement to the same liberties that will be endowed to the white man.

Is it not that generations ago, we helped the first of you to survive the long, harsh winter in the Land by the Blue Hill? We gave your forefathers our land, relinquished our days to tirelessly help you plant, hunt, gather, and fish. If not for us, they might have died, and with them, the British culture that was inevitably to spread across the great sea.

When you see our wigwams, you laugh and point and deem us savages, as we mock your paleness and your foolishness. Your first impression is that of a hideous, uncouth madman twirling a tomahawk as battle cries rent the air. It is true that we may be violent if provocation so arises, and we have had our good share of war. We have raided your towns and kidnapped your children, I will not deny it, for we too have faults. But you forget that you have taken our land and forced us away into the deepest woods, that it is you, the white man, who must extend a hand in apology. Yet when we are willing to bury the hatchet you still condescend to look down upon us as ignorant and unfit to be your peers. As you then marvel when one of us has the education and the tongue to speak English.

It is not just us, the Wampanoag, who seek our prerogatives, but also the dark-skinned ones whom you call Negroes. Many a captive has escaped from the constraints of your society to live with us, like us, in the wilds and barrens that you would not dare venture into. They too, would claim the rights bestowed upon you by the government, but you insult them and elevate yourselves by making them your slaves. The Negroes are our adopted children and grandchildren, and what we desire for ourselves we desire for them as well.

Like the mighty bear or the majestic stag, we are a proud race, without the innocent naivety that you may think you perceive. We know that once this war is over and you have obtained from us the assistance you need, you will turn on us and look to confine us for your amusement. Be warned that a Wampanoag angered is a fierce rival, though you may not see fit to equate us and turn a blind eye to our skills in warfare. I know well, as do you in your hearts, that without our experience you would not be here today to act so arrogant. As that is so, then I say, give us what is unduly our right. When the time comes let us participate in governing this land first harvested by us, and do not persecute nor prosecute simply for the sake of it, as you would not violate the security of another white man.

Yours truly,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Chief Yellowfeather

To The Future Leaders of this Country

I need not to say much but to say everything.

You, the future leaders of this land which I have defended and helped bring into the light of glorious independence, have the largest of burdens to uphold. You must defend our fair lady, be her knight in shining armor, and the role model to mold the citizens of this land of endless possibility.

No building is made without a scaffold, and that is what you must be for your country. You must be the face of an ideal citizen, leader, soldier or captain, and you must never fear. Fear is the worm in the apple; it will destroy this prized land only if it destroys you.

This land belongs to neither king nor queen, nor race or religion. People should be able to freely worship whatever it is that they wish, for to damn another for one’s beliefs, is to kill a man for standing. Religion is such a part of you that it knows not our churches or our homes alone, it is in a man’s hello or a woman’s goodbye, it is the world’s way of hoping for a better tomorrow. How do you build a country, nay how do you live without hope? That is not living at all.

Your duties may tax your body, your health, and your mind, but know only of all the good that face the hardships with you. Even after I am long gone, America will always be shining in her glory, for she has taught me that anything is possible.

George Washington

Boston Harbor is now closed until all of the ruined tea is paid for.  Massachusetts’ charter also has been cancelled, and royal officials who have been accused of crimes are now sent to Britain for trial.  Another Quartering Act has been passed, forcing colonists to house and care for British soldiers.  The Quebec Act also was just recently passed.  This act gave Quebec a large amount of land.  Also, General Thomas Gage is the  new governor of Massachusetts.  King George III has gone way too far.

Many colonists, including myself, believe that the only way to get King George III to stop taxing America and to receive independence from Britain is by declaring a war.  We know that the king would not even think of letting us become an independent nation without a fight.  With George as our king, there will not be a peaceful settlement to our disagreement about taxes, or independence.  So, war is the only way to become free.

The only people stopping America from becoming independent are those who do not support the war.  Some people think that we can settle our disagreements with Britain without a war.  The people who think that are not correct.  King George III is not a very peaceful person.  He also doesn’t like to compromise.  When our fellow Americans who do not believe in war tried to create a peaceful settlement with England through the Olive Branch Petition, he would not even look at it.  The Olive Branch Petition was Britain’s last chance for peace.

Now it is war or no independence.  We can break away from Britain and become free, or sit around and do nothing about the terrible treatment we are receiving from King George III.  We have a choice to either support the war, or not support it.  So, make the right choice and support the war!

Say No: British Tea

1768- And the money keeps rolling in from every side… for the British Parliament! They have been taxing our colonists over and over again f0r almost  every product available:  stamps, sugar, tea, lead, glass, paper, etc. The list seems endless! And now we just have to ask why. Why is Britain’s King George III doing this to us? Does he have no understanding of freedom and liberty, two of the natural rights that John Locke clearly stated were important? Doesn’t the British Parliament realize that all of us colonists just need a break? I don’t know about every man out there in our colonies, but I sure know that I am finding it rather difficult to breath, let alone feed my family, with all of these taxes placed on us by the arrogant and unmerciful British.

Taxes. Taxes. Taxes.  So what do we do about them and how can we finally get our message through to the British? Well, one way is just to say ‘No’ to imports, products brought to our colonies to be sold here while they were manufactured and made elsewhere, most likely Great Britain. Instead of going to the British East India Company or a Torie’s store to buy your share of tea, travel to the closest, friendly Patriot’s store. It might be a little farther away from your home, or the tea might cost a wee bit more, but it’ll be worth it! Just imagine how proud you’ll be when we have fought and won our freedom. Just think of how you’ll be able to boast about how you didn’t buy anything from the British. And all you have to do is say ‘No’.