//------------------------------// // A Nation United // Story: Daughters of Liberty // by SonicSpeedster97 //------------------------------// Three more months had come and gone, with the entire nation now seething in rage over the news of the Intolerable Acts. The girls had still been reporting news across Philadelphia and even across other colonies, especially after the success of Rarity’s quote from Colonel Washington. Soon enough, the news reached their ears as Sunset returned to the print shop. “Hey girls, have you heard? Representatives are coming down for something big.” “Yeah, we heard.” Rainbow nodded. “Mr. Galloway’s heading over to Carpenter’s Hall for it tomorrow.” “Carpenter’s Hall?” Twilight asked in surprise. “That’s the First Continental Congress. We’ve gotta be in on it.” “I already am, and I thought some of you might be happy to join me,” said Sunset. “Count me in.” Rainbow smiled. “Oh, me too. Um, if it’s okay.” Fluttershy asked. “Eh, I dunno.” Applejack shrugged. “We’re kinda swamped here with that business from the Adams fellas.” The others nodded; they had recently received an order from the visiting Samuel Adams and his second cousin John to print a pamphlet for them, apparently written by an anonymous friend of theirs. “Speaking of whom, aren’t they visiting sometime today?” asked Rarity. “I think so.” Twilight shrugged before she heard something outside. “-and I consider myself an expert at stirring the pot,” "Speak of the devils," Twilight smirked; she recognized that voice easily as she moved to the door. “You’re right, of course; it’s… too much.” another voice nodded. “But even so, we must get these pamphlets into Boston. We must.” Twilight smiled as she opened the door, to see Samuel and John Adams themselves. “Has anyone ever told you gentlemen that you have a way of agreeing that sounds like an argument?” The two men just chuckled as they stepped forward. “Good day, Ms. Spencer. Is everything ready?” “Your pamphlets are almost done; please come in.” Twilight smiled as she led them in. When Rarity saw them come in, she smiled. “Ah, the two Mr. Adams’s.” she smiled, handing Samuel a pamphlet she had just finished proofreading. “Here you are; A Government of Laws and Not of Men, by Novanglus.” “Ah, let’s see.” Samuel smiled as he looked it over. John smiled until he locked eyes with Rainbow; the two hadn’t exactly gotten along since she heard about him defending Captain Preston and his men from the Boston Massacre. She may have understood that it was a mob and not a real formal protest, but that didn’t make it any better. “Excellent. The pamphlet looks wonderful, ladies.” “We do our best, Mr. Adams.” Sunset smiled. “But I am still confused about one thing; how are you going to get them into Boston?” “My wife Abigail and I have already arranged for her to pick them up and disperse them throughout the city,” John explained. “I don’t suppose any of you would like to volunteer to take them to her?” “I’d like to, but Ronnie, Florence, and I have already agreed to assist Mr. Thomson in the Congress.” Sunset shrugged. “And since the harbor’s closed, British troops are patrolling the roadways, stopping and searching every carriage,” Samuel noted. “The danger will be ever-present.” “Don’t worry; Abigail will meet the convoy well outside of town,” John assured. “The danger will be minimal.” “I’d be delighted to go.” Rarity smiled. “Though I may need some help.” Applejack smirked as she pushed up her hat and placed a hand on Pinkie’s shoulder. “You’ve got it,” she assured. “Excellent. Then it’s settled; I’ll send a courier to notify Abigail immediately.” John smiled as he and Samuel left. Later on that evening, the girls were moving the pamphlets to a warehouse near the harbor where they loaded food and pamphlets to Boston. “You know, it’s rather odd.” Rarity noted. “I always believed the colonies considered themselves separate countries in this time.” “That was before Parliament closed Boston Harbor,” Twilight assured. “You remember what got everyone so worried when we published that story; if they can do it to Boston, they can do it to anyone.” “We’re all set to go,” Applejack called. “Let’s ride.” “Ah, excellent.” Rarity smiled. “Enjoy the Congress, ladies.” “And you enjoy your job.” Twilight smiled back as the wagons rumbled out of town. Along the ride, the group got a true view of the countryside as the sun rose over the green glens and forests of the road through the New England Countryside, where they were pleasantly surprised by people from all walks of life in small villages along the way giving food, clothes, and other such necessities to the carriage train as it trundled along its way. The next day, the convoy stopped at a small farm where Applejack saw an old man with a shepherd’s stick approaching with a small herd of sheep. “Mornin’, sir. What can we do ya for?” “I’ve come to ask a favor.” the old man smiled. “I’m afraid I’ve grown too old to continue the life of a shepherd. My daughter has most of the flock now, but I’d like to give the rest to Boston.” “Well, that’s very generous of you sir, but I’m afraid we can’t accept.” the wagon-driver shrugged. “Sheep are slow animals, and we’re on a rather tight schedule.” “No need to worry there, sir.” Applejack assured as she jumped down. “I’m a farmer myself; I can handle a few sheep.” “Well, if you’re sure.” the wagon-driver shrugged. “Thank you, young lady.” the shepherd smiled. “Please, accept my dog to help keep them under control as well.” “Much appreciated, sir.” Applejack smiled as she accepted his stick and the dog. “Yes indeed; thank you.” Rarity smiled as the herd quickly joined the convoy. “Come along, gentlemen.” The wagon-driver smiled as he goaded the horse onward down the road, the herd following slowly behind. As this was happening, back in Boston, the other group had arrived at the Congress which Twilight had allowed them to write about as long as they listened and studied the issues. When they arrived at Carpenter’s Hall, they were greeted by a smartly dressed older gentleman. “Ah, Ms. Stokes. I was wondering when you would arrive.” “Sorry we’re late, Mr. Thomson,” Sunset assured. “We had to bring a bit more paper than we expected. Anyway, introductions; Veronica Dancer and Florence Sheppard, meet Charles Thomson; secretary of the Continental Congress.” “At your service, ladies.” Mr. Thomson assured. “Now, let’s get to work. We’re about to begin.” With that, they brought the paper into the house and started meeting the delegates from the various colonies, before they assisted Mr. Thomson in writing down all that was said, including the main argument as to whether to stand against the British further or seek resolution. It was then that John Adams stood to say something. “Gentlemen, come to order,” he called. “I have just received a message by courier that British warships have fired cannon upon the city of Boston.” This stunned the room. “Church steeples have fallen, spreading panic through the streets. And some number are dead.” Finally, after a long ride which the girls had somewhat grown accustomed to, they were met by another coach with a young woman on board. “That must be our meet-up.” Applejack smiled. “No doubt.” Rarity smiled as the wagons stopped next to each other. “Mrs. Abigail Adams, I presume?” “You presume correctly, Ms. Belle.” Mrs. Adams smiled. “I wish you welcome from all the good people of Boston. You must forgive my brazen husband; that Mr. Adams, sending young girls on such an errand.” “Hardly his fault, ma’am.” Applejack assured. “We volunteered.” “And it’s been great.” Pinkie smiled. “We’ve been up this road a few times, but never on such an important mission.” “Indeed. And it’s been a wonderful adventure.” Rarity smiled before it petered out. “But if I may, I must ask; we heard along the road that Boston has been fired upon. Please tell me this isn’t true.” “Heavens no,” Abigail assured. “General Gage sent troops to Cambridge and took arms and powder stored there. Patrols on the road stop supplies from entering the city, but actual warfare? God save us from that.” “Anything new from the king or Parliament that might provoke violence?” asked Rarity. “Nothing; General Gage can act under his own authority.” Mrs. Adams explained. “He claims he seized the weapons to prevent violence. However, if he were to find these pamphlets, it would be sedition, and that could land us all in prison.” “I don’t think we need to worry about that, ma’am.” Applejack smiled. “We can take care of ourselves.” “I’m sure you can. Please, put everything into my coach.” Mrs. Adams assured. “I think I’ve got a better idea.” Pinkie smiled, glancing between the pamphlets and Applejack’s herd of sheep. Rarity smiled. “Ah, following in the footsteps of Odysseus.” “Not a bad idea.” Applejack smiled. “If we take the ol’ marsh-road, no one’ll think twice.” “My dear, that’s brilliant!” Mrs. Adams smiled. “But we’d best work quickly.” And so they did, loading the food and clothes into Mrs. Adams’ carriage and strapping the pamphlets to the sheep. Back in Philadelphia, the Congress had called a recess for the day as the girls returned to the print shop. “Hey, how was Congress?” asked Twilight. “It was actually a lot more interesting than I expected it to be.” Rainbow shrugged, placing her notes on the table. “Yeah; see one side wants to demand the Intolerable Acts be repealed, but the other wants to ask the king for his opinion,” Sunset remembered. “That’s Galloway’s idea, but I doubt it’s gonna go anywhere,” Rainbow smirked. “Oh, I- I don’t know; a nice peaceful solution would be nice.” Fluttershy smiled. “Did you not hear the Adams’ argument?” asked Sunset. “There’s no way Galloway's plan’s gonna work.” “Well, they won today.” Fluttershy shrugged. “This was just Day One,” Rainbow assured. “Congress isn’t gonna officially end until the end of next month, and a lot can happen in that time.” “You have no idea how right you are.” Twilight smiled, knowing exactly how this would end up. That same evening, up in the outskirts of Boston, Applejack and Pinkie had disappeared as Rarity and Mrs. Adams stopped at a small farmhouse for dinner… when a group of soldiers arrived. “These wagons headed toward Boston?” one of them asked. “Indeed they are.” Rarity assured. “Loaded in accordance with His Majesty’s law.” “By the sounds of that accent, you’re a ways from home here, Missy.” the soldier smirked condescendingly as his men seemed to plunder the wagons, with two holding guns at the ready, talking about who would ride in which wagon, with intent to sell the cargo and take the money themselves. Rarity smiled as she devised a cunning plan, which she passed to Mrs. Adams, who gladly agreed to it as she retrieved a small bill of sale. “So which one of you gentlemen would like to sign for the wagons? I’m sure General Gage will want to know who took the supplies.” “General Gage?” the soldier asked, quickly devising a story. “Uh see, we didn’t know these goods were-” He pointed to Rarity. “And she’s not-” Rarity was confused by that, but Mrs. Adams took the lead. “We needn’t make an issue over who she is or isn’t. Just sign and the wagons are yours.” “Eh, no time to take ‘em now.” the soldier assured. “No newspapers or pamphlets aboard, right?” “None whatsoever; I swear it upon the king’s health.” Rarity assured. “Move on then.” the soldier ordered as he and his men left in a hurry… leaving two very satisfied young women behind. Elsewhere, along the marsh-road, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were leading the sheep into town, uninterrupted by British soldiers as Pinkie spun a preposterous story about Native spies hiding in the grass… which any soldiers in the area bought wholesale before they finally arrived in the outskirts of Boston. Not long after the delivery was made, Applejack returned the sheepdog to the old man who had loaned it as the group rode to Philadelphia on horses Mrs. Adams provided. Back in Philadelphia, Rarity smiled as she found John Adams at Carpenter’s Hall. “Hello sir, I’m pleased to say that our delivery went perfectly. And I have something here from your wife.” John smiled as he happily accepted the letter from the young lady. “Thank you very much. You know, I worry about her there in harm’s way.” “As only a husband would, but you needn’t worry.” Rarity assured. “She’s quite fine, and asks that you write more often.” “And indeed I must.” John nodded. “I understand you are in contact with Dr. Franklin in London.” “At least until he returns, yes.” Rarity smiled, as Pinkie picked up a quill. “Would you like us to include a message to him for you?” “Please. Tell him that I am as heartstrong as I am headstrong.” John smiled, as Pinkie wrote it down. “I am convinced by this Congress that America will support Massachusetts or perish with her.” “And tell him that we shall.” Rarity smiled. “And speaking of the Congress, shall we return to it? I’m sure you are needed.” “Ladies first.” John smiled as he allowed her and her friends in. Once inside, Rarity was fairly surprised to see a familiar face amongst the delegates. “Colonel Washington, lovely to see you again.” And sure enough, the colonel was there with the rest of the delegation from his home colony of Virginia. “Ah, Ms. Belle. I suppose you didn’t expect our reunion to be so soon?” “Quite right, sir.” Rarity smiled, curtsying to the soldier. “Though this is a pleasant surprise.” “I hope this will be equally pleasant.” the colonel smiled as he led her to someone else. “You mentioned him in our interview, and now I introduce you. Rachel Belle, allow me to present Mr. Patrick Henry.” “A pleasure.” Rarity smiled. Mr. Henry was a very pleasant-looking man who smiled as he met the young woman. “All mine, miss; I assure you.” “Now, I believe Mr. Adams has more for us to hear.” the colonel smiled as the three sat together, watching John Adams take the podium. “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are obsolete,” he assured. “I am not a New England man. I am an American! We are Americans!” The entire Congress hall cheered at this statement, and the sentiment was present throughout the entirety of the rest of Congress, until at last, on the evening of October 26th, 1774, they had agreed to boycott all British goods, disregard Galloway’s proposal of a colonial equivalent of Parliament to cooperate with the official one, and petition the King for his assistance in the matters the colonies were now troubled by. Fluttershy was pleased by the success of the petition plan, but this pleased mood would soon be dampened by future events.