Why the British Missed the Chance to Arrest the Founders at the Constitutional Hall
The question arises frequently: why didn’t the British swoop into what is now Independence Hall in the summer of 1776 and arrest the men who were preparing to declare independence? It almost seems unfathomable that they did not catch the revolutionary leaders amidst the late summer of 1776 activity in Philadelphia. However, a closer examination of the historical context of the American Revolution reveals why this did not happen.
The British Troop Movements
By July 1776, the British had been effectively driven out of nearly all their colonial posts. A significant British fleet, carrying 25,000 men, was crossing the Atlantic. Yet, it would take until August 22 for them to reach New York City, not Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress was convened in Independence Hall.
In the interim, there was little in the way of leadership to direct a preemptive strike on the Continental Congress. The revolution was still in its nascent stages, and the colonial leaders were far more concerned with their own safety and survival than with squandering crucial opportunities. This lack of coordinated action and direction from the British side highlights why the chance of an ambush on the Continental Congress was non-existent.
The Turning Point: The Battle of Lexington and Concord
The American Revolution truly came into sharp focus with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775. Massachusetts, the most rebellious of the colonies, had established a provisional state government at Concord. The British resolved to capture this defying group and neutralize the colonial forces. Paul Revere’s famous ride might be better associated with these battles than the events of 1776, but his actions helped establish the colonial side as a force capable of fighting back.
Fought between colonial militiamen and the British regulars, the Battle of Concord resulted in more than 80 British casualties, compared to 49 for the colonists. More importantly, it solidified the resolve of the colonists to fight for their rights and liberties. The event was widely reported by the colonists, and their version of events reached London before Governor Gage’s report, leading even Lord George Germain to acknowledge that “the Bostonians are in the right to make the King’s troops the aggressors[and claim a victory].”
The Hybrid War of Diplomacy and Rebellion
Even after getting to Philadelphia in August 1776, the British were in no position to “swoop” on the Continental Congress. The British Army was already scattered and fatigued from months of fighting and maneuvering. By September 1777, the British did occupy Philadelphia, but this was after several failed attempts to engage Washington’s forces in direct combat.
General Howe’s primary objective was to draw Washington into a decisive battle. Despite Washington’s attempt to prevent a battle at the Battle of Brandywine Creek, he was forced to withdraw. This retreat continued a pattern of evading direct confrontation that had characterized the early phases of the conflict.
After the British entered Philadelphia, many Continental Congress delegates fled to York, where they passed the Articles of Confederation in November. The winter of 1777-1778 was spent in Valley Forge, about 64 miles (103 km) from York, where Washington managed to transform his troops into a formidable fighting force.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the British failed to swoop into Independence Hall in 1776 because of the lack of effective British leadership and the rapid moves of the colonial forces. The war, as it evolved, was a complex blend of military operations, diplomatic maneuvering, and public relations efforts, all of which contributed to the success of the American cause. Understanding these dynamics provides a clearer picture of why the British missed such a significant opportunity in the revolutionary timeline.