Samuel Seabury Lesson

Free Thoughts on the proceedings of the Continental Congress

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Samuel Seabury

Poll

Do you think that everyone in the 1700s supported the American revolution?

• Yes! Everyone was a steadfast patriot!

• No, there were some people in the colonies who thought it was a bad call.

Not everyone agreed with the Continental Congress!

Some people disagreed with going to war with England, splitting off, and forming a new, independent country.

Not everyone agreed with the Continental Congress!

One of those people was Samuel Seabury.
Listen to the following passages and see why he disagreed with the Founding Fathers.

Listen to the first paragraph.



The American Colonies are unhappily involved in a scene of confusion and discord. The bands of civil society are broken; the authority of government weakened, and in some instances taken away: Individuals are deprived of their liberty; their property is frequently invaded by violence, and not a single Magistrate has had courage or virtue enough to interpose.

Multiple Choice

What does it sound like Seabury claims the colonies are involved in?

The American Colonies are unhappily involved in a scene of confusion and discord

• He is criticizing the Founding Fathers for their actions
• He is praising the king for his strength and power
• He is using metaphors to express his political views
• He is making a joke to lighten the mood

Why would Seabury claim that "Individuals are deprived of their liberty?"

He says that "the authority of government weakened, and in some instances taken away:"

If there is no government holding people accountable, it would be easy to break rules! Seabury wants order from the British government to be restored.

Listen to the second paragraph.


From this distressed situation it was hoped, that the wisdom and prudence of the Congress lately assembled at Philadelphia, would have delivered us. The eyes of all men were turned to them. We ardently expected that some prudent scheme of accommodating our unhappy disputes with the Mother-Country, would have been adopted and pursued.

Listen to the second paragraph.


But alas! they are broken up without ever attempting it: they have taken no one step that tended to peace: they have gone on from bad to worse, and have either ignorantly misunderstood, carelessly neglected, or basely betrayed the interests of all the Colonies.

Listen to the second paragraph.


But alas! they are broken up without ever attempting it: they have taken no one step that tended to peace: they have gone on from bad to worse, and have either ignorantly misunderstood, carelessly neglected, or basely betrayed the interests of all the Colonies.

Multiple Choice

When Seabury says, that the founding fathers have "basely betrayed the interests of all the Colonies," what is he accusing them of?

• Accusing them of being loyal to the British Crown
• Accusing them of betraying the interests of the Colonies for personal gain and being a traitor to the king

• Accusing them of not representing the interests of all the Colonies
• Accusing them of being traitors to the American Revolution

Listen to the second paragraph.

No, if I must be enslaved, let it be by a KING at least, and not by a parcel of lawless upstart Committee-men. If I must be devoured, let me be devoured by the jaws of a lion, and not gnawed to death by rats and vermin.

Multiple Choice

Who is the lion in question?

• The Founding fathers

• the king of England

• his congregation

• the American colonists

Multiple Choice

Who is the vermin in question?

• The Founding fathers

• the king of England

• his congregation

• the American colonists

Multiple Select

What is Seabury doing when he compares the Founding Fathers to vermin and the king to a lion?

• He is criticizing the Founding Fathers and praising the king
• He is using metaphors to illustrate the power dynamics of the time
• He is expressing his personal dislike for the Founding Fathers
• He is trying to incite rebellion against the king

Open Ended

Why do you think Seabury wouldn't support the revolution?

What's he wearing?​

Take a look at his costume

What did he sign his name as?

Take a look at his costume

Open Ended

Why would Seabury sign his name as "a farmer" and not "a minister?" what's the point? Why would he hide his position?