Washington seizes Dorchester Heights (March 4, 1776) 180, 181 The British troops evacuate Boston (March 17) 182, 183 Movement toward independence; a provisional flag (January 1, 1776) 184 Effect of the hiring of "myrmidons" 185 Thomas Paine 185 His pamphlet entitled "Common Sense" 186, 187 Fulminations and counter-fulminations 188 The Scots in North Carolina 188 Sir Henry Clinton sails for the Carolinas 189 The fight at Moore's Creek; North Carolina declares for independence 189 Action of South Carolina and Georgia 190 Affairs in Virginia; Lord Dunmore's proclamation 190 Skirmish at the Great Bridge, and burning of Norfolk 191 Virginia declares for independence 192 Action of Rhode Island and Massachusetts 192 Resolution adopted in Congress May 15 193 Instructions from the Boston town meeting 194 Richard Henry Lee's motion in Congress 194 Debate on Lee's 195, 196 Action of the other colonies; Connecticut and New Hampshire 196 New Jersey 197 Pennsylvania and Delaware 197-199 Maryland 199 The situation in New York 200 The Tryon plot 201 Final debate on Lee's motion 202 Vote on Lee's motion 203 Form of the Declaration of Independence 204 Thomas Jefferson 204, 205 The declaration was a deliberate expression of the sober thought of the American people 206, 207 CHAPTER V FIRST BLOW AT THE CENTRE Lord Cornwallis arrives upon the scene 208 Battle of Fort Moultrie (June 28, 1776) 209-211 British plan for conquering the valley of the Hudson, and cutting the United Colonies in twain 212 Lord Howe's futile attempt to negotiate with Washington unofficially 213, 214 The military problem at New York 214-216