//------------------------------// // Liberty or Death // Story: Daughters of Liberty // by SonicSpeedster97 //------------------------------// March 1775 rolled around in short order, as the Gazette worked overtime to make sure the colonies were supplied with their news, local and minor or national and major. Unfortunately, all this work soon came back to haunt them as the shop’s press, old and damaged, broke down more and more until it finally gave out. “Ah, great. No press, no news.” Rainbow groaned. “Guess it’s back to the really old-fashioned way.” “Let’s not subject the people of the colonies to your dreadful handwriting, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity smiled. “Whatever news you put out would be incomprehensible.” “She’s right though; this ol’ press is ready for junkin’.” Applejack smiled. “No need to worry too much.” Twilight smiled. “Just get the wagon ready. I made an offer on a new press earlier this week; we just need to go pick it up.” “Great to hear, sugarcube. Where to; Market Street?” asked Applejack. “Nope; Williamsburg.” Twilight shrugged. “Wait, isn’t that in Virginia?” asked Spike. “Yep. We’ll have to leave at dawn if we want to make it in time.” Twilight smiled. “Besides, you never know what news you’ll find in another colony.” “She’s not wrong.” Rarity smiled. “How else do you think I became acquainted with Colonel Washington?” “Yeah, still kinda jealous about that.” Rainbow shrugged. “But okay; we’d better get some sleep if we’re leaving at dawn.” And sleep they did indeed get, in short order. And they needed it, as nearly four days later, outside Williamsburg, Applejack had to help the horses move the large wagon over a steep slope. “This new press had better be worth it, Tara.” she sighed as she climbed into the wagon once it was moving. “Don’t worry, it will be; ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’,” Twilight assured. “And believe me, this new press will save us more than a few pennies.” “How much further? I’m hungry!” Pinkie asked. “When aren’t you?” asked Rainbow. “I just hope we make it in time for the session at the House of Burgesses.” Sunset smiled. “I heard Patrick Henry has a big speech planned.” “I think I know what it is.” Fluttershy smiled; even she knew about this famous speech. “Hello there. There’s a farm up ahead; perhaps we can ask for directions.” Rarity smiled. Applejack looked out over the side of the wagon at the field and scowled. “No need; my family made trips down to Williamsburg every now and then. Even in this time, I know the way like the back of my hand.” “What’s the problem?” asked Rarity. “I think that is,” Twilight noted, pointing to the fields… filled with cotton and slaves. “Ah, point taken.” Rarity nodded, handing Applejack the reins. “You can drive from here, dear. I need some more rest.” Applejack easily took the reins as they rode onward to the town. As the cowgirl assured, the ride to Williamsburg was a short one as they found the local newspaper office… right across from an auction block. The girls did their best not to pay any attention to this barbarism as Applejack and Rainbow Dash loaded the printing press into the wagon. While they were doing that, Sunset and Rarity had made their way to the House of Burgesses to find the gates locked. “Guess we’re gonna have to do this the hard way. Rarity?” “Gladly.” Rarity smiled, using her powers to swiftly create a key for the gates, allowing them to slip into the courtyard relatively undetected. But when they entered, they found it empty aside from a few cleaners. “Where is everyone?” “Gone.” said one of the cleaners. “The House of Burgesses has been shut down, by order of the Earl of Dunmore.” “The royal governor?” asked Sunset. “He got mighty mad at the assembly, especially Mr. Henry, for saying Virginia should raise an army to fight with Boston.” the cleaner explained. “Now this is news.” Sunset smiled. “So where’d they all go?” “Rumor has it Mr. Henry’s going to speak to a convention at St. John’s Church in Richmond.” the cleaner answered. “Great, thanks. Can we quote you on this?” asked Sunset. “Oh no. I’ve said too much already.” the cleaner assured as she resumed her work. “Well, thanks anyway; we’ll just call it an anonymous tip.” Sunset smiled as she and Rarity slipped back out. “Man, wait until the others hear about this.” With that in mind, they quickly returned to the rest of the group where they found Applejack finishing up the loading of the new press. “Whew Nelly, you two look like ya got bit by a hyperactive rattler.” Applejack smirked. “What’s goin’ on?” “Apparently, the Earl of Dunmore shut the House of Burgesses down.” Rarity explained. “Mr. Henry’s speech has been moved to St. John’s Church in Richmond.” “Richmond? That’s almost six hours’ ride from here.” Rainbow noted as she closed up the wagon. “Then we’d better get a move-on.” Applejack smiled, jumping to the reins. “Hyah!” With a crack of the reins, the wagon thundered down the road as the rest of the team quickly jumped aboard, roaring through the rain. It was a long ride as Rainbow noted, but when they arrived, the rain had cleared and the steeple of St. John’s Church stood high and proud against the night sky. “There’s our stop,” Sunset called as the wagon stopped. Quickly, Applejack hitched the horse as Rarity led the group into the church, which they found full to burst. Quickly, the girls found their own seats as they kept their eyes on the lectern, which, after several other speeches, was soon occupied by Mr. Henry. He cleared his throat as he turned to a man at the side. “Mr. President, no man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The girls copied down every word as he continued. “The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. “Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. “Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. “I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. “And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. “Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! “In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained—we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! “They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? “Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. “Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, ‘Peace, peace’—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” With those final strong words, the church erupted into cheers and agreement as Mr. Henry stepped down from the lectern. Soon enough, after a long session of voting from the convention, the girls found him outside about to board a carriage. “Mr. Henry! Mr. Henry!’ Rarity called to him, surprising him. “Ah, Ms. Belle, from the Congress.” Mr. Henry smiled. “Yes sir. I must say, to call your speech moving would be a severe understatement.” Rarity smiled. “It was nearly evangelical.” “You flatter me, Ms. Belle.” Mr. Henry smiled. “But I thank you for it. I suppose I will be reading a transcript of my speech in the Pennsylvania Gazette in a few days?” “Well, probably not the whole thing; just the most moving parts.” Rainbow shrugged. “But yeah; you’re definitely gonna see it there. With your permission, of course.” “Absolutely. The rest of the colonies must know that at least one man in Virginia is willing to join the fight.” Mr. Henry smiled as he climbed into his carriage. “Until we meet again, which I hope is soon.” “As do I, good sir. As do I.” Rarity assured as Mr. Henry rattled away. Once he was gone, the girls all compared notes as they saddled up and rode out of town. On the way out of town, however, they saw a strange sign posted on a tree by the side of the road. “Huh. ‘Freedom for slaves who take up arms against the colonists’.” Rainbow read as they passed. “Signed by Lord Dunmore, for His Majesty King George III.” “How many slaves take him up on that offer?” Applejack asked. “Over 20,000,” Twilight remembered. “And those were just the runaways people know of.” “I just hope we don’t have to contend with any of them in the future.” Rarity sighed. “It’s bad enough for them to be treated the way they are on those plantations, but to be forced into the military all for the promise of freedom?” “If there was a chance for it, they were willing to take it.” Twilight shrugged. “But let’s not worry about that sort of thing now; let’s just get back to Philadelphia and get this story printed so the north will know the south will take up arms for their help.” No one could argue with that, so onward they rode to the Gazette’s office, ready for work as soon as they arrived.