Volume 4, Chapter 27, New England Ready for Independence
In a sense, the situation of Connecticut and Rhode Island was the most clear cut in the colonies,
for these two colonies had been uniquely free of any royal governor or royal arm of government at home.
Virtually independent, while colonies, they needed no political or constitutional change
for change to equip them for the struggle with Great Britain or for possible independence.
Hence, with the exception of the ouster of the Tory Governor, Wanton, by the Rhode Island
Assembly, there was no need for confrontations or political upheaval.
Since Wanton was closely associated with the Hopkins faction, however, his overthrow meant
The Eclipse of the Hopkinsites and the Taking of Complete Power by the More Radical Ward
Faction.
The new Governor, Nicholas Cook, was a leading Wardite, as was brilliant young Continental
Army General Nathaniel Greene, scion of one of the first families of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island was galvanized in early November by the burning of Falmouth to denounce the
of the British and to declare it high treason to correspond with, supply or aid the British
forces, a virtual commitment by Rhode Island to American independence. Indeed, in that
same month, Samuel Ward, leader of the ward party and one of the colony's delegates to
the Continental Congress, openly opted for American independence, working tirelessly
for that cause from then on. Thus by the end of 1775, Rhode Island and Connecticut were
essentially ready for independence. But the key to New England, of course, was Massachusetts.
And if that great spearhead of radicalism would not take the lead for independence,
the cause would be lost. While Massachusetts had lost none of its fervor for measures against
in East Britain, its delegation to the Continental Congress was grievously hobbled throughout
1775. Voting in Congress was by province, and hence an elementary requisite for Massachusetts
leading a move toward independence was the ability to command the vote of its own delegation.
And yet, this the Massachusetts radicals could not do. The Addresses were, of course, two
Two of the brightest stars of the radical firmament, but the conservatives Thomas Cushing
and Robert Treat Payne opposed any drive toward independence.
The fifth, or swing, member of the delegation was the vain and flighty John Hancock, who
clung to his largely honorific post of President of the Continental Congress.
He never forgave the Adamses for nominating Washington for Army Commander in Chief in
instead of himself. And bearing that grudge, he broke with the radicals and veered sharply
rightward. Allowing himself to be feted by the Dickensons and Dwaynes, the luxury-loving
Hancock acquired the derisive sorbraque of King Hancock among the radicals. This meant
and an effective vote of three to two against independence, and thus Massachusetts radicalism
was stymied. Sam Adams and the Frustrated Radicals began to threaten openly a separate
independent New England, unshackled by the dilatoriness of the other colonies. The critical
turning point in this unhappy situation came on December 20, when the Massachusetts Provincial
General Congress turned Thomas Cushing out as delegate and replaced him with the brilliant
young radical and follower of Sam Adams, Elbridge Gary of Marblehead.
This gave the radicals a majority in the Massachusetts delegation, effective the following February
when Gary was to take his seat.
Soon afterward, in mid-January, the Massachusetts Congress authorized the delegates to do whatever
Here they thought necessary to establish the right and liberty of the American colonies
on a base permanent and secure.
Here was a virtual endorsement of American independence.