America breaks free: "this nation," declared Benjamin Franklin, "was established in spite of [any number of] obstacles, with an expedition, energy, wisdom, and success which the whole history of human affairs has not, hitherto, given an example."

Before my departure, I ordered all the money I could raise, upward of three thousand pounds, into the hands of Congress. I believe it was the first loan they received, and it encouraged others to lend their money in support of the cause. I had no doubt of our finally succeeding in this war by the blessing of God.

A miracle in human affairs. The whole of this business was a miracle in human affairs. If I had not been in the midst of it, and seen all the movements, I could not have comprehended it. Picture a whole people for some months without any laws or government at all. In this state, their civil governments were to be formed and an army and navy were to be provided by those who had neither a ship of war, a company of soldiers, nor magazines, arms, artillery, or ammunition. Alliances were to be formed, for we had none. All this was to be done, not at leisure nor in a time of tranquility and communication with other nations, but in the face of a most formidable invasion, by the most powerful nation, fully provided with armies, fleets, and all the instruments of destruction, powerfully allied and aided. Nor was this all; they had internal opposition to encounter, which alone would seem sufficient to have frustrated all their efforts.

This nation was established in spite of all these obstacles, with an expedition, energy, wisdom, and success which the whole history of human affairs has not, hitherto, given an example. The revolution was not directed by the leaders of factions, but by the opinion and voice of the people. The grounds and principles upon which it was formed were known, weighed, and approved by every individual of that majority. It was not a tumultuous resolution, but a deliberate system. Consequently, the feebleness, irresolution, and inaction which generally--nay, almost invariably--attends and frustrates hasty popular proceedings, did not influence this. On the contrary, every man gave his assistance to execute what he had soberly determined, and the sense of the magnitude and danger of the undertaking served only to quicken their activity and animate their exertions. The effects of anarchy were prevented by the influence of public shame, pursuing the man who offered to take a dishonest advantage of the want of law. One gentleman gave his opinion that the people were likely to find out that laws were not necessary, and might therefore be disposed to reject what they proposed, if it were delayed.

The greatest revolution the world has ever seen. In a few months, governments were established and codes of law were formed, which were the admiration of all the wise and thinking men of Europe. Ships of war were built and a multitude of cruisers fitted out, which did more injury to the British commerce than it ever suffered before.

Armies of offense and defense were formed, and kept the field in the most rigorous climate. Repeated losses, inevitable in a defensive war, were quickly repaired. The enemy was everywhere resisted, repulsed, or besieged. On the ocean, in the channel, in their very ports, their ships were taken, and their commerce obstructed.