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The First Conspiracy


A remarkable and previously untold piece of American history—the secret plot to ...
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Was the Continental Congress justified in issuing a secret authorization to kidnap or seize royal officers and private citizens suspected of being unfriendly to the American cause?

Created: 05/10/23

Replies: 12

Posted May. 10, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Was the Continental Congress justified in issuing a secret authorization to kidnap or seize royal officers and private citizens suspected of being unfriendly to the American cause?

The Continental Congress issued "a secret authorization for the rebel governments in each colony…to kidnap or seize royal officials or private citizens whom they suspect are unfriendly to the American cause." What did you think of this edict? Do you think it was justified?


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemaryc

Join Date: 05/07/16

Posts: 25

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

Under the circumstances, with British ships and soldiers on their way, I think there was justification. There was too great a risk of sabotage and assassination to allow them to move freely.


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
angelaw

Join Date: 05/26/22

Posts: 76

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

Yes, it was war - all is fair in war.


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 505

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

I think it was fair. The loyalists were a threat to America gaining its freedom from England. They were saboteurs to the cause.


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lorrained

Join Date: 12/04/20

Posts: 137

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

To not do so would have been a detriment to success, especially with the British just offshore and the prior Governor pulling so many strings.


Posted May. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 407

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

I can present an argument in support of this action, but as I look at the course of American history I see it as a precedent for some unfortunate government actions - the Alien and Sedition Acts after independence, the Sedition Act during the World War I and II eras, the McCarthy years, and even contemporary political conspiracy theorizing. The actions authorized seem inconsistent with the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that were soon to follow. They may have been “justified” but they were also hypocritical and unwise.


Posted May. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
vivianh

Join Date: 11/14/11

Posts: 160

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

To do otherwise would have ensured failure, the probable arrest and execution of the leaders of the Revolution. Extreme times call for extreme measures. The colonials were fighting the greatest military in the world at that time. Royalists would have given the British strategic information and ratted out rebels. It was necessary.


Posted May. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gerrieb

Join Date: 09/03/19

Posts: 208

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

Yes. What options were there? To say the least we were out manned, out gunned, out financed, with no navy. This reminds me of Lincoln in April and May of 1861 when he suspended habeas corpus. Later, during the war Lincoln and his commanders authorized arrests considered "preventative" against thousands of people and suspended many anti war newspapers. There was backlash to this and it certainly made Lincoln aware he may lose the election. However, he felt this and many of his unpopular policies were necessary to win the war.


Posted May. 17, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LoLa

Join Date: 05/14/23

Posts: 6

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

Yes, when one is at war, you must do all you can to win. Both sides know what their options are.


Posted May. 25, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scottishrose

Join Date: 07/24/11

Posts: 220

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

Yes, you have to do your best not to have enemies hiding in your midst during times of war.


Posted Jun. 01, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mceacd

Join Date: 07/03/18

Posts: 132

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

This action disturbed me. While I assume it would have been common by the Crown, I do believe the precedent was unwise. I understand that the Continental Congress was desperate to root out those opposed to their cause, that time was of the essence, etc. But, I’m not entirely sure that the outcome would have been different without these laws. Too often politicians have used this and other special circumstances to take actions contrary to our stated principles.

I also have to mention I was personally appalled that Isaac Ketchum’s six children were left completely on their own while he was in jail. While I’m sure this wasn’t uncommon at that time, that there was no such thing as social services, it was still disturbing.


Posted Jun. 04, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mb

Join Date: 10/14/20

Posts: 10

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

Absolutely. It was necessary for success.


Posted Jun. 15, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cathyt

Join Date: 08/14/22

Posts: 29

RE: Was the Continental Congress ...

While I feel the actions were warranted, it is disturbing at the same time. Over time, some of the same activities that helped or may not have helped have been used for less idealized reasons. We see it in our own time. However, I have to go with the fact that the founding fathers did the best they could at the time. It has fallen on the shoulders of future generations to put the checks and balances to the intended proper use. The question for today is, have we? These are the same questions examined during the American Revolution.


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