CHAPTER VII
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION:
THE FORCES IN CONFLICTI know that for such sentiments I am called a rebel, and that such sentiments are
not fashionable among the folks you see.
—GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO HIS MOTHER IN NEW YORK,
1778Hear thy indictment, Washington, at large; Attend and listen to the solemn charge:
Thou hast supported an atrocious cause, Against thy king, thy country and the laws.
—LOYALIST POEM, BY JONATHAN ODELL, 1779
To me it will appear miraculous, if our affairs can maintain themselves much longer
in their present train. If either the temper or the resources of the country will not
admit of an alteration, we may expect soon to be reduced to the humiliating condi-
tion of seeing the cause of America, in America, upheld by foreign arms....
It is true that our enemies as well as ourselves are struggling with embarrass-
ments of a singular and complicated nature... but considering the complexion of
the British nation for some time past, it is more probable these appearances will
terminate in a partial reform of abuses, than in any revolution favorable to the in-
terests of America....
The general disposition of Europe is such as we could wish; but we have no se-
curity that it will remain so.
—GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON TO THE
PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS, 1780It is a main thesis of this book that the American Revolution was a great event for
the whole Eur- American world. In the Age of the Democratic Revolution the