Page 67 - Beers With Our Founding Fathers

A Patriot’s view of the history and direction of our Country

Paine also pointed out that, not only was this treatment brutal,

the colonies were only for England’s purpose and no considerations
were given to the colonies. Let us now recall that from 1756 to

1763, England was involved in an eighteenth century world war, with
the French and Indian War in the colonies, the Seven Years War in

Europe, and other war fronts throughout their worldwide territories
and possessions. Paine argued that being part of the English empire

would continue to draw the colonies into wars for the expansion of
English colonies. This, as was learned from the French and Indian

War, resulted in loss of lives for the purpose of the crown, and the
colonies being forced to pay for both wars with higher taxation

through oppression and without representation. Paine further
argued that the colonies were originally founded by puritan pilgrims

who sought the haven presented by the colonies, affording both
religious freedom and limited self-government in the interests of the

colonists. This was essentially unchanged until the French and
Indian War, and more particularly the end of it and oppressive

taxation to pay for it.
In describing the growing tension between England and the

colonies, and the oppression, Paine suggested a declaration, or
Continental Charter (Charter of the United Colonies), a modern

Magna Carta, to be drafted by a body of colonists representing the
Continental Congress and colonists – "…should come from some

intermediate body between the Congress and the people…" in order

to provide for the “…freedom and property to all men, and…the free
exercise of religion.” Paine further detailed how the governing body
would be comprised and selected.

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