Question

document a (modified)
the true interest of america impartially stated, 1776
suppose we were to revolt from great britain, declare ourselves independent, and set up a republic of our own—what would be the consequence? my blood runs chill when i think of the calamities, the complicated evils that must follow.
devastation and ruin must mark the progress of this war along the sea coast of america. so far, britain has not exerted her power. her number of troops and ships of war here at present, is very little more than she judged necessary in time of peace.
but as soon as we declare independence, ruthless war, with all its aggravated horrors, will ravage our once happy land. our seacoasts and ports will be ruined, and our ships taken. torrents of blood will be spilled, and thousands reduced to beggary and wretchedness.
by declaring independence, we would instantly lose all assistance from our friends in england. they will stop saying anything in our favour, for they would be seen as rebels, and treated accordingly.
the only european power from which we can possibly receive assistance, is france. but france is now at peace with great britain; and is it possible that france would interrupt that peace, and risk another war with england, from a disinterested motive of aiding and protecting these colonies?
vocabulary
calamity: disaster
disinterested: not motivated by personal interest
torrents: streams
source: charles inglis, anglican minister, wrote a pamphlet in response to thomas paine’s “common sense,” entitled “the true interest of america impartially stated, 1776.” impartial means fair or objective.

graphic organizer
name mamley

	document a	document b
who wrote this document?	britain
what type of document is it?	a pamphlet
when was it written?	impartially stated 1776
close reading:
what are two reasons this author gives for why american colonists should be loyal to england?
provide a quote to support your answer.
contextualization:
based on this document, what can you infer about what life was like in the colonies in the 1770s?
corroboration:
based on these two letters, how did loyalists feel about england’s rule over the colonies?
what would people who disagreed with them say?

Explanation:

To answer the questions about Document A (a 1776 pamphlet by Charles Inglis, a Loyalist Anglican minister):

Sourcing:

• Who wrote this document? Charles Inglis (an Anglican minister, Loyalist).
• What type of document is it? A pamphlet (written in response to Thomas Paine’s Common Sense).
• When was it written? 1776 (during the American Revolution, debate over independence).

Close Reading:

1. Reasons for loyalty to England:

• Reason 1: Declaring independence would cause “ruthless war” with destruction (ruined seacoasts/ports, bloodshed, beggary).
• Reason 2: Independence would lose British and European (e.g., French) support (friends in England would treat colonists as rebels; France, at peace with Britain, would not risk war to aid “rebels”).

1. Quote support:

• For war devastation: “Devastation and ruin must mark the progress of this war... Our seacoasts and ports will be ruined... torrents of blood will be spilled, and thousands reduced to beggary and wretchedness.”
• For lost support: “By declaring independence, we would instantly lose all assistance from our friends in England... The only European power [France]... is now at peace with Great Britain; and is it possible that France would interrupt that peace, and risk another war with England, from a disinterested motive of aiding and protecting these Colonies?”

Contextualization:

In the 1770s, colonists debated independence. Loyalists (like Inglis) feared war’s chaos and loss of British protection. Life in the colonies was tense, with divisions between Loyalists (pro-British) and Patriots (pro-independence).

Corroboration (assuming Document B is pro-independence, e.g., Paine’s Common Sense):

• Loyalists’ view on English rule: Loyalists (like Inglis) saw British rule as necessary for stability, safety, and trade (feared independence would bring ruin).
• Disagreement (Patriots’ response): Patriots (e.g., Paine) argued British rule was tyrannical, independence would bring liberty, and foreign allies (like France) would support a just cause.

Answer:

Sourcing (Document A):

• Who wrote this document? Charles Inglis (Anglican minister, Loyalist).
• What type of document is it? A pamphlet (political argument against independence).
• When was it written? 1776.

Close Reading:

• Two reasons for loyalty: 1) Independence would cause devastating war (ruin, bloodshed, poverty). 2) Independence would lose British/European support (no allies, friends treat colonists as rebels).
• Quote examples: “Devastation and ruin must mark the progress of this war...” (war devastation); “By declaring independence, we would instantly lose all assistance from our friends in England...” (lost support).

Contextualization:

Life in the 1770s colonies was divided: Loyalists feared independence’s chaos, Patriots sought liberty from British “tyranny.”

Corroboration (vs. pro-independence Document B):

• Loyalists: British rule = stability/safety; independence = ruin.
• Patriots (disagreement): British rule = tyranny; independence = liberty, with French support.