Sons of Neptune

The Sons of Neptune was a group of colonial sailors directly associated with the Sons of Liberty before and during the American Revolution. The Sons of Neptune began to defend themselves against trade restrictions imposed by the British. They were involved in the Stamp Act Crisis, the Townsend Acts, and the Boston Tea Party. The term "Sons of Liberty" was used in America prior to 1765 by Colonel Isaac Barré, who coined the phrase "Sons of Liberty" for those whose rights were threatened by Lord Grenville's proposed stamp tax.[1] This group of patriots was formed in New York by Isaac Sears.

French and Indian War

When the French and Indian War began, Sears acquired the title of captain and commanded vessels to help the British triumph. Privateering proved to be an important instrument of social mobility and a solid financial base for radical leaders.[2] Men like Sears, who commandeered trades at sea, played influential roles in the. During the war with the French, the privateer's primary role was to attack enemy raiders both on land and sea. The enemy would be located primarily around the waters of northern Delaware to southern Virginia. These privateers took bounty from pillaged ships. The only time they would not dare attack was if they faced French warships. After the war, Sears moved to New York and engaged in trade with the West Indies.

Stamp Act in New York

The Stamp Act was proposed in 1765 by Britain. Protests immediately began, starting in New York. This colony was different from the rest because it was not recognized by the British crown as having the same rights and privileges as the others, which were composed of Englishmen. New York was founded by colonists from the Netherlands and they did not enjoy the same rights as other colonists. The Englishman's rights came from the Magna Carta, which limited the King's powers and protected the rights of citizens. When the British acquired New York, their justification as well as the king's for limiting the rights of non-Englishmen was prejudice. Because of this thinking, a violent struggle preceded the American Revolution. The limited rights given by the King made the New York colony dissatisfied. The King viewed this colony as a conquered people that he could rule as he saw fit. Hundreds of seamen were out of work. New Yorkers gathered in the streets to protest the Stamp Act. At one point demonstrators threatened to break into the fort where the province's octogenarian lieutenant governor, Cadwallader Colden and a small contingent of soldiers stood uneasy guard over the hated tax stamps.[3]

Sears and many other merchants were trying to find a solution to end the crisis. Sear's eagerness to influence and persuade the public thrust him into the position of leader. He spread posters around the city signed "Sons of Neptune" that warned that an assault would be made on the British fort unless the Stamps were surrendered by Governor Colden to the people.[4] Within 24 hours Colden surrendered the stamps. New York's tough stance stopped the tax, once the governor of New York described the situation to the King.

References
  1. Knollenburg 1961, p. 206.
  2. Lydon 1970, p. 18.
  3. Christen 1981, p. 42.
  4. Christen 1981, p. 46.

Sources
  • Knollenburg, B. (1961). Origins of the American Revolution. New York.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Christen, Robert J. (1 June 1981). King Sears: Politician and Patriot in a Decade of Revolution. Ayer Company Publishers, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-405-14077-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Lydon, James Gavin (1970). Pirates, privateers, and profits. Gregg Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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