Few characters in history are indispensable.

On March 10, 1764, preliminary resolutions passed the House of Commons looking towards the Stamp Act.

The residence of the Plymouth settlers in the Netherlands, and the later conquest of the Dutch colonies, had brought the Americans into contact with the singularly wise and free institutions of the Dutch.

In comparison with other men of their time, the Americans were distinguished by the possession of new political and social ideas, which were destined to be the foundation of the American commonwealth.

Everywhere among the English-speaking race criminal justice was rude, and punishments were barbarous; but the tendency was to do away with special privileges and legal exemptions.

As often happens during a war, some parts of the country prospered, notwithstanding the constant loss.

In appearance the labor system of all the colonies was the same.