. On the 4th of July, 1776,
Congress had signed the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen colonies
were now free and independent states. Dark as our prospects were, the
inhabitants welcomed these glorious tidings, and resolved to perish,
rather than again bear the yoke of England!"

"And I would perish too!" cried Charley.

"It was a great day--a glorious deed!" said Laurence, coloring high with
enthusiasm. "And, Grandfather, I love to think that the sages in Congress
showed themselves as bold and true as the soldiers in the field. For it
must have required more courage to sign the Declaration of Independence,
than to fight the enemy in battle."

Grandfather acquiesced in Laurence's view of the matter. He then touched
briefly and hastily upon the prominent events of the Revolution. The
thunder-storm of war had now rolled southward, and did not again burst
upon Massachusetts, where its first fury had been felt. But she
contributed her full share to the success of the contest. Wherever a
battle was fought--whether at Long Island, White Plains, Trenton,
Princeton, Brandywine, or German-town--some of her brave sons were found
slain upon the field.

In October, 1777, General Burgoyne surrendered his army, at Saratoga, to
the American general, Gates. The captured troops were sent to
Massachusetts. Not long afterwards, Doctor Franklin and other American
commissioners made a treaty at Paris, by which France bound herself to
assist our countrymen. The gallant Lafayette was already fighting for our
freedom, by the side of Washington. In 1778, a French fleet, commanded by
Count d'Estaing, spent a considerable time in Boston Harbor. It marks the
vicissitudes of human affairs, that the French, our ancient enemies,
should come hither as comrades and brethren, and that kindred England
should be our foe.

"While the war was raging in the Middle and Southern States," proceeded
Grandfather, "Massachusetts had leisure to settle a new constitution of
government, instead of the royal charter. This was done in 1780. In the
same year, John Hancock, who had been president of Congress, was chosen
governor of the state. He was the first whom the people had elected, since
the days of old Simon Bradstreet."

"But, Grandfather, who had been governor since the British were driven
away?" inquired Laurence. "General Gage and Sir William Howe were the last
whom you have told us of."

"There had been no governor for the last four years," rep