Tampa Chapter

Sons of the American Revolution

May 2015

 

Contents

          Meeting announcement

          Revolution History note

          Program Schedule

          Misc. reminders and information

 

The May meeting of the Tampa Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, will held on Saturday, May 16th at the Piccadilly Cafeteria, located at 11810 Dale Mabry Highway North, Tampa, Florida (813-963-1660).  An agenda for the meeting will be provided and the membership will be given updates from officers and the various committees. Scott Anderson, Curator of the Safety Harbor Museum and Cultural Center will tell us about the museum and its programs.

 

 

American Revolution Notes:  (ed. Note: This is an updated version of a Revolutionary note from a few years ago with a few changes based on recent reading).

 

Patrick Henry’s “if this be treason” speech.

 

In the spring of 1765, the recently enacted Stamp Act was the main topic of political conversation in the American colonies.  By late May the session of the colonial legislature of Virginia (the House of Burgesses) was drawing to a close and many members had already headed home.  Newly elected delegate Patrick Henry celebrated his 29th birthday on May 29 by offering a series of resolutions related to the Stamp Act.  Much of what he proposed was familiar to his colleagues:

 

          Americans had brought their British rights with them to North America when they immigrated

          Those rights had twice been confirmed in Virginia’s royal charters

          The right to be taxed by representatives of one’s own choosing was one of the most fundamental British liberties

 

Henry also, however, included an additional idea that raised many eyebrows and provided a direct challenge to Parliament’s authority:

          Only colonial assemblies had the right to impose taxes on their constituents and that right could not be assigned to any other body.

 

On May 30, Henry gave his first speech in the House and defended his resolutions.  He expanded the scope of his criticism to include the King, as well as Parliament.  Speaking of George III he stated that “Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell and George the Third---“At that point he was interrupted by cries of “treason!” from delegates who easily recognized the references.  Henry paused briefly, and then calmly finished his sentence”---may profit by their example.  If this be treason, make the most of it.”  Another version of the speech has Henry finishing with “and George the III may he never have either.”

 

Henry later apologized to the assembly and expressed his loyalty to the King.  Nevertheless, the Resolves were adopted by a badly split House of Burgesses. While it is mostly forgotten that the 4th one was removed from the record, it never-the-less was circulated with the other three through the colonies by means of newspapers and letters.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Below is the tentative program schedule for the 2015 calendar year (subject to change).  As always send along any suggestions for speakers.

 

Sept.           TBA, selection of nominating committee

Oct.             Law Enforcement; EMT; Fire Fighter Medal - Report of Nominating Committee.

Nov.             Joint meeting with C.A.R. - Election of Officers for 2014.
Dec.             Installation of Officers

 

(another ed. Note: Please keep Jack and June Bolen in your thoughts and prayers)

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miscellaneous Notes and Reminders:

 

Chapter Website—always remember that you can find information about the chapter and programs on the chapter website.  http://www.patriot-web.com/

 

One of the duties of the Chapter Chaplain is to send cards to our members that are sick and sympathy notes to the family of a member who has passed away. If you know of anyone for whom a card should be sent, please mention it at our next meeting.

    

Chapter officers and committee chairman are encouraged to send any pertinent information they wish included in the newsletter to the editor, Bob Yarnell, at rsyarn@aol.com.

.