Would you be willing to risk your job or business to stand for freedom? What if the possible risk included six months in a squalid prison cell? What if the price of others' freedom would be your life? Would the high cost deter you from standing for liberty?
Alexander McDougall faced the first of these questions in the winter of 1769. The British sought to control the in-home activities of the colonists by quartering troops in private houses and did so over the protests of the colonists and the New York Provincial Assembly. Rather than allow the tyranny to conquer while he stood by, McDougall published a short work entitled To The Betrayed Inhabitants of the City and the Colony of New York.
This work had the desired effect of spurring his countrymen to action in what became known as the battle of Golden Hill. Although published anonymously, this patriot was soon exposed as one who dared stand for freedom and sentenced to a British prison.
Not deterred in the least by this exercise of despotism, McDougall became a leader in the Sons of Liberty following his release. Even in this, however, he was faced with a difficult decision. A merchant himself, much of his investments and livelihood depended upon items now taxed under the "Intolerable Acts," including tea. Knowing full well the cost of liberty, he personally headed the efforts of the Sons of Liberty to keep such goods from being unloaded.
Having stood for liberty in times of peace, this patriot did not hesitate when called to serve his country in times of war. Serving as a faithful servant in the cause of freedom, Major General McDougall replaced Benedict Arnold at West Point when that traitor put his own interests ahead of America's wellbeing.
Following the war, McDougall went on to represent New York in Congress and then served honorably as the Secretary of the Marine. His influence and tireless work in support of the armed forces helped to strengthen the young country and end the Newburgh Conspiracy.
The price of standing for freedom has varied through the years, but the question remains the same as it was for McDougall in 1769. What price am I willing to pay so others can be free? Be a 21st century patriot, and sign the petition to call a Convention of States and rein in the federal government!
