Introduction
On April 19th, 1775, British troops confronted an uprising of American colonists in Lexington and in Concord, Massachusetts, and the American War of Independence began. Many at home urged the Government to come to some mutually acceptable compromise, but on August 23, King George III of England issued orders for a clampdown on all support for the rebels.
Whereas many of Our Subjects in divers Parts of Our Colonies and Plantations in North America, misled by dangerous and ill-designing Men, and forgetting the Allegiance which they owe to the Power that has protected and sustained them,* after various disorderly Acts committed in Disturbance of the Publick Peace, to the Obstruction of lawful Commerce, and to the Oppression of Our loyal Subjects carrying on the same, have at length proceeded to an open and avowed Rebellion, by arraying themselves in hostile Manner to withstand the Execution of the Law, and traitorously preparing, ordering, and levying War against Us; And whereas there is Reason to apprehend that such Rebellion hath been much promoted and encouraged by the traitorous Correspondence, Counsels, and Comfort of divers wicked and desperate Persons within this Realm: To the End therefore that none of Our Subjects may neglect or violate their Duty through Ignorance thereof, or through any Doubt of the Protection which the Law will afford to their Loyalty and Zeal; We have thought fit, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation, hereby declaring that not only all Our Officers Civil and Military are obliged to exert their utmost Endeavours to suppress such Rebellion, and to bring the Traitors to Justice; but that all Our Subjects of this Realm and the Dominions thereunto belonging are bound by Law to be aiding and assisting in the Suppression of such Rebellion, and to disclose and make known all traitorous Conspiracies and Attempts against Us, Our Crown and Dignity; *
* The King was very keen to remind the Americans of their moral and legal duties to the Crown, but Granville Sharp (one of those ‘dangerous and ill-designing Men’ whom this proclamation was designed to silence) gave it as his opinion that the British constitution was not that of an absolute monarchy, and that George’s treatment of the Americans broke his coronation oath: see Intolerable Power. In 1807, an anonymous biographer of the late Charles James Fox (who had also backed the rebels) wrote: “The Question with all liberal enquirers, says Dr Price, ought to be, not what jurisdiction over them, precedents, statutes, and charters give; but what reason, and equity, and the rights of humanity give.” His reference was to Richard Price’s Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty (February 1776).
* The entire proclamation, almost 400 words, forms a single sentence, aided by the use of semi-colons.
Précis
In 1775, King George III responded to news of a rebellion in Britain’s North American colonies with a stern public rebuke. He laid much of the blame at the door of pro-American campaigners at home, and said that it was the duty of law enforcement and the general public to identify such people, and report them to the authorities. (59 / 60 words)
In 1775, King George III responded to news of a rebellion in Britain’s North American colonies with a stern public rebuke. He laid much of the blame at the door of pro-American campaigners at home, and said that it was the duty of law enforcement and the general public to identify such people, and report them to the authorities.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: if, may, not, or, otherwise, whereas, whether, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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