Patriot journal keynote

James Johnson - PatriotRebecca Chao

Thursday, May 16, 13

Sounds of Boston

I was raising the club against the Red Coats

That horri)ic scene still remained in my head. People around me were dead and wounded, puddles of blood lying

everywhere. All I remember was that I saw one of the red coats point a gun towards me and I held the heavy club higher

and advanced towards him, but before anything else happened, I felt a bullet skid past my skin. After that, I fainted and did not know what happened next. When I opened my eyes again, I was sitting against a wall, with cloth wrapped

around the wounded area. There was only little blood, but the pain was only increasing. Though I was injured and stumbled as I walked, but I still went around trying to help those who were more severely injured. The crowds faded and people were helping with the wounded and carrying away the dead.

The seven-‐year war just ended a few years ago, it had )inally become rather peaceful. Father )inally returned home from war, he was forced to )ight for King George III. Most of his wounds had just healed and he is )inally able to stand up and walk, but there is still a large scar on the back of his right leg from the bullet that shot right through. Many thought that it would be peaceful for another few years, since American’s and Britain’s were allies during the French-‐Indian war. But no, King George III and Parliaments were imposing taxes on us; trying to get back the money they lost during the seven-‐year

war. It started with the Sugar act, then the stamp act, quartering act, declaratory act, and Townsend act, all these

acts caused many trouble for our family.


Sounds of Boston

I was lying on the ground after being shot by a rifle

Now after the Boston Massacre, peace will never come back again. That morning, we gathered at the local

customs house to show our fury over the numerous taxes Parliament that we were required to pay. The soldiers who were protecting the customs house were arguing with us, and a young man was even smashed on the head with the end of a ri)le by one of the sentries. How dare the

red coats do such thing to us normal citizens!

The thirteen soldiers who stood opposite us held long ri)les that caused white puffs of smoke in the air as it )ired. Only some of us had heavy clubs, while others had to )ind stones and snowballs so they would actually be armed and could defend themselves. The soldiers were dared to )ire, but their commander that day, Captain Thomas Preston did not give the order. When I turned my head around to see the reactions of those behind me, I suddenly heard a gunshot and everything after that was a blur.

I have to say that what happened yesterday was outrageous, it was the )irst time I saw that much blood and one of the most horri)ic scenes I have been through. I knew that this is only going to be the beginning of an

endless revolution.


Tea for a Price

We were not happy about the Tea Act

I’m about to explode! I can’t explain in words how furious I was after hearing about the Tea Act. It was passed by the parliament yesterday. The East India Company was selling tea at such a bargain price. The price was so low that it was unreal; it was for sure that they were trying to use us for their own good. There were 18 million pounds of unsold tea, sitting on the dock, waiting for us colonists to purchase them and fall into their dirty trap. But I knew that all of us were smart enough to not purchase any of the tea sold by

that company. We were being taxed non stop for the last few years, the Townsend act was still in place and now King George III allowed the East India Company to sell their unused tea to us, this is unbelievable. After the Townsend acts, lots of women swore that they would not marry a man who

bought British goods, but I am happy about this, since I will never buy anything from the British.

It started with the sugar act, where we were taxed for everything, from sugar to molasses. Then came the stamp act, where we were being taxed on anything to do with paper, the most ridiculous thing is that the

British used our money to stay off the cost of the seven-‐year war. Next came the quartering act, which was just as unreasonable as the rest. We were required to provide needs for the British soldiers who passed in

the area. Since our family was one of the wealthier ones, we had to give more food compared to our neighbors. During this time, our family lost so much food that my mother had to work extra hours to get higher pays so we can have enough to eat. After these, there were many more acts that kept us being taxed

from all kinds of things.


Tea for a Price

The East Indian Company was selling tea at such a

bargain price

With all the taxes that were imposed on us, we are actually not satis)ied that all decisions related to taxation were made by the British, those living across the ocean, who are unaware of what we think. The British had to impose

taxes on us, so we could constantly be reminded that they are the ones are in control. Now, the slogan Taxation without Representation is used to describe what we believe in, that we are being taxed without anyone to represent us and have no say in anything. This slogan is correct, because the British aren’t even thinking about what our lives would result in with all the taxes they impose on us. This world is full of unfair

things.

Now, the British is even allowing the East India Company to sell us those useless teas, so we can loose more money and they can earn more? Those ships of tea have to be turned down and shipped back to Britain, or they can just rot on the docks, because no one will be buying them. That is what they will get for maneuvering us.


A Piece of Freedom

A copy of the Declaration of Independence that was found on the newspaper

We are now to be called the United States of America!

One of the best things happened yesterday in my life! I can’t explain how happy and excited I am. The

Declaration of Independence was signed yesterday; there is )inally a spark of hope for us to be free from

those nasty British who ruined our lives. Everyone was created equal, so we should not be under the rule of the British. I even heard that the Declaration was voted a few days ago and was only announced to us yesterday.

The thirteen colonies are now announced to be independent states and no longer part of the British Empire. I can’t imagine how life would change without the rule of King George III. We would no longer have to be under the control of others, we would be free; we

would )inally have our natural rights! Natural rights are supposed to be the natural law for all human beings, regardless of anything else. But for my whole life, my natural rights were taken away, now I can )inally have

them back!


A Piece of FreedomWhen I picked up the newspaper today before work, it mentioned that it was Thomas

Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence, since he was known for his forceful writing style. It even wrote that he did not talk much during the conference, but he was

prompt, frank, and decisive that many people gave him their vote. I even saw that the preface was summarized that all humans should have equal rights. When I read that part, I could feel myself being more excited on what to come; I can’t wait to be free from King George III. The newspaper even told the public that facts were written to support the fact that the King of

Great Britain is only going to cause more damage to America. At the top of the newspaper, the headline was “Sign your John Hancock”, it was only when I kept on reading that I knew what it meant. John Hancock signed his name the biggest and boldest at the top of the declaration of

independence, so King George III could read it without his glasses. This is such a joke!After I read all of this, I ran home as fast as I could and handed the newspaper to mother and father so they can also join in with me for the excitement. Brother was away, but I hope he also heard about the good news. That evening, I even forgot about work and just stayed home all day reading through the newspaper again and again until I almost memorized the whole thing.Signing the Declaration of Independence gave us hope, hope to be persistent and never give up of our natural rights. I, James Johnson have already committed myself as a soldier who will be )ighting in the Continental Army, led by Washington. No matter how much stronger and

powerful the British army will be, but I know that all the American soldiers will be )ighting for their freedom, for their independence, so we will never give up that easily.


A Final Victory!

I was standing in the front during the Battle of

Trenton

We won! The sounds of victory )illed New Jersey, as we celebrated a )inal victory against the Red Coats and

Hessians. After suffering several defeats in New York for the past few months, the )irst major victory for General George

Washington and us, the Continental Army )inally happened. Battle of Trenton helped us emerge from our

darkest moments.

I never contacted my family after I left with Washington to cross the Delaware River on that cold dark night. The temperature was below zero degrees and the river was running with )lowing ice. The layer of frost on my hands

slowly melted when I stuck them into my warm pocket, but I did not wear any shoes, so my feet were as red as a tomato. Some of us even left traces of blood on the snow. I have to say that the walk was even worse than the actual battle.

Anthony Anderson was next to me during the walk to Trenton, after a few miles, he almost fainted from the cold weather, but I caught him just in time before he fell to the

ground. I stayed back with him while the others kept on with the marching behind Washington. I even took off my jacket and gave it to Anthony, so he would feel warmer. I carried him most of the way, with his arm around my shoulder, so I could support his weight. Once we arrived at Trenton, Anthony’s sickness aggravated and died of hypothermia.


A Final Victory!

The Hessian commander, Colonel Rahl,

surrendered to General George Washington at the end of the battle

As we approached the Hessians, we saw each one of them drunk and partying, not knowing that we planned a surprise attack on them. Empty wine bottles were scattered across the ground. They were probably celebrating the past victories along with Christmas, while we were trying to gain a victory. When the

battle started, we easily defeated the Hessians. It was the easiest battle ever! I was very careful throughout the whole battle and didn’t get a single wound. Just after 45 minutes, we took 918 prisoners, 1200 small arms and a large amount of supplies. Washington told us that we got to split the supplies, meaning my family will )inally have enough to eat once I bring the supplies home. How generous of General Washington!

Though the attack only took place this morning, but the 9-‐mile journey crossing Delaware River was tough for all of us, but most of us still made it. Yesterday was Christmas night, but I could not be home with my family to celebrate, instead I was

)ighting for my freedom and America’s independence. Kathy and the kids must be so worried at home, but I had to )ight in this battle. In the end, I have to say that the victory was one of my

best Christmas presents ever!

Though I’m only 28 years old, but most of my colleagues who fought in the battle are only early in their 20’s. Unlike me, they have no wife, no kids to worry about back at home. After this successful battle, our hope for independence regained. Just

another few more days and I will be back home in Philadelphia, with the rest of my family.


The Treaty of Independence

I was fighting in front during the Battle of Yorktown, not caring

whether I would live or die, just wanting to end

the battle

America is independent! The United States of America is now considered as a free nation! The revolution )inally came to an end!

After the victory at Yorktown, all of us had to move to New York, where we remained until yesterday. I only arrived back home

yesterday, after the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally ending the war. Before I even entered the small townhouse we were living in, I could already smell the delicious food Kathy was cooking. I followed the smell, which led me to the kitchen, where she was cooking

dinner, I was so happy I was back home. I crept behind her, giving her a big surprise, she was so happy to see me back home safely

from war. She thought she would never see me again after I left last time. We spent the rest of the night together, I told her everything that happened to me at war, all the hard times that in the end led to victory. While she told me about what happened back at home,

about how much our kids have grown and matured since I last saw them.

During the battle of Yorktown, we were allies with the French, )ighting against the red coats, who were led by Lord Cornwallis. Our army outnumbered the British; there were three of us )ighting against one red coat. I still remembered that before the battle started, General George Washington made sure that everyone

dressed the best they could. My blue coat had not a single wrinkle in it. I was standing right behind Washington, holding my ri)le on my right hand, getting ready to )ire. I knew this was going to be the last battle that I will be )ighting in, so I had to make the best out of it,

killing as many British soldiers as possible.


The Treaty of Independence

Signature page of the Treaty of Paris that was found on

the daily newspaper

At the end of the battle, the British marched out to surrender to us. I have to say that watching a group of people who kept your freedom for your whole lives, surrendering to you was an indescribable feeling. I stood there like I was the General, like I was the one who was now holding onto their freedom, but realistically I was just a soldier )ighting for his freedom. The Battle of Yorktown is going to be the battle that I will remember for the rest of my life. It is the battle that led to our freedom and America’s

independence.

The end of this war brought back our freedom, our natural rights that we were all longing for the day we were born. The 13 colonies that were under the rule of British

)inally gained their own independence.

Even though the war had ended and the Treaty of Paris is signed, but a battle has just begun for the American’s, a battle to create a new nation, a nation without the rule of

Britain.


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