Date :1783/10/26 Sunday
Weather: cloudy
Looking out of the window, the gentle breeze is warm, my thoughts are pulled
back. In a tug of war between reality and cruelty, the Patriots finally defeated the
royalists in this war. When I remember these eight long, painful years, my heart turns
from calm to heavy. Seven years of war caused Britain's national debt. To paid for the
war, they levied additional taxes on the colonists. The colonies protested against the
increasing domination and taxation of our country. The colonists' anger at the
westward expansion of our country led to the Indian Wars. These differences led to
colonial uprisings and revolutions. As an American and a colonist, I was a true loyalist.
Peaceful reconciliation and protest are preferable to violence, which could lead to
mob rule or dictatorship. I didn’t approve of this conflict because it would increase
the fiscal deficit and the fiscal burden. Perhaps my life would have been better and
easier if the colonies had remained under British sovereignty. British rule was better
than patriot rule. I never changed, because I didn’t want to become poor and helpless.
Before the start of the American Revolution, I was the owner and journeyman of
a small weaving guild. I loved my profession, and during the week I weaved intricate
armor, as well as set up, operated or managed machines that knit, loop, weave or
stretch textiles. I used the hand loom to make fabrics, textile samples, curtains,
tablecloths, etc. Every time I saw my finished product, I felt a great sense of
accomplishment. Because that way, the rest of my family, because of my steady
income, didn’t have to do so much work. In my daily life, I usually wore breeches,
stockings, a waistcoat, and sometimes dress coat. I was bald since my youth, so I
often covered it up with a wig and a tricorn hat. After work, I often went to a roadside
bar, which was the most relaxing moment of the day. Some guys liked to get drunk on
alcoholic beverages, and I felt tipsy at my best. I had a wide range of interests, so I
tried to find opportunities to participate in various activities. Like playing poker,
engaging in factual conversation, keeping up with the latest news and debates. Day
after day, although the diet was almost the same, simple soup, stew, cereal and beef,
but every time I used the heart of gratitude, to pray for peace in the world! In my
spare time, I read Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. I thought this book was a superb
masterpiece. It told the story of a Scottish castaway who steadied for four years on the
Pacific island of Mustila. And his actions had led my life in subtle ways. Besides
reading, I also liked playing tennis and cricket to keep fit. I thought these sports could
make me a better man. While we were still in this beautiful life .The peace was about
to be broken, and war ensues. Again, I’m a pacifist. This war should not have been
between the colonists and the British. A war would lead to widespread destruction of
urban areas and would have a long-term negative impact on the economies of both
countries. I continued to support the British Parliament. If there had to be a war, I
thought fighting for economic or political gain was the best option. But the patriot of
my family, my uncle Michael, didn't think the British were treating them fairly. They
were under the impression that the Britain had been taxing them unfairly. They just
wanted independence from the British.
And so war broke out. I volunteer for the army under the conscription act of
1779. It also provides for volunteers to be free to set up and run businesses anywhere
in the Britain after fulfilling their government duties. I think it will be a good
opportunity to expand my guild of weavers. In this way, my work environment alters
to the battlefield. On the battlefield, the whole field is covered with black soldiers,
wild cries, bullets flying through the air, bloody faces, bloody blades. Many soldiers
lay in pools of blood, but I can not move. We spend at least eight hours a day training
at the camp and doing army maintenance, such as collecting food and wood. After
doing all the housework, I live in a tent with everyone and cook and ate together.
Meanwhile, we play marbles, cards, dice and cooperative games. Some unlucky
people have to work all night after sunset. Recently, I am afraid of patriot reprisals,
because intolerant patriots have been harassing and attacking loyalists. I have heard
that patriots used to strip loyalists naked, tar them, and parade them through the
streets. But my friends and I have never change sides and become a loyal person. I
don't regret it. We still believe this war was fought for nefarious reasons.
Eventually, America becomes a sovereign and independent nation in a brutal
struggle. American soon adopt the U.S Constitution, which replace the wartime
Confederacy and establish a national government in the structure of a federal republic.
With the political change come the separation of powers. It means that Americans like
me can make a direct contribution to American power. The American system evolves
from feudalism to democracy. And the Declaration of Independence must be copied
by people in other countries. Therefore, I hope the new government of America can
soon attain the standard as the democratic state, benefit the citizen, develop the
national economy and give us a more open and inclusive society than under British
rule. After the war completely done, I will still stay in America. Although I was a
loyalist, on the other hand, I have a career in America that I cannot give up. The war
brings huge benefits to the textile industry. The textile guild I belong to make a lot of
money. I also mentioned that I didn't want to be broke. I think there will be a huge
potential to expand the size of my weavers’ guild. So I accept the right of patriots to
govern America. I probably hope the new government will provide more opportunities
to develop the industry. At the think of it, my heart go from heavy to peaceful.
Thomas Harper