Colonel Gower gives a soldier 20 lashes for reading "The Liberty
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- Damon Carr
- This blog is set up for 8th grade students in Mr. Carr's Early American History classes. If you need to contact me, use the following email address: damon.carr@leesummit.k12.mo.us
I believe that Colonel Gower did not go overboard because The Liberty Tree is written by Benjamin Franklin. Who is a Revolutionary leader who disappeared with all the other leaders and since he is considered a Rebel, so if someone is caught reading it they could be hanged for treason.
ReplyDeleteI thought 20 lashes was alot but then again the Colonel was trying to send a message to those who read "The Liberty Tree". Brenner C.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think Colonel Gower went overboard, because you shouldn't give someone 20 lashes, just so other people can learn from his mistake. If another person read's, "The Liberty Tree," they should get some lashes too. Also, the newspaper was, "The Liberty Tree," that was created by, "The Sons Of Liberty." The person might of just wanted to know what point, "The Sons Of Liberty," were trying to get across different people. So, I do think Colonel went overboard.
ReplyDeleteNo, because the soilder was only had the article in his possesion to read it and not actually participate in the Sons of Liberty.
ReplyDeleteI think the Colonel went overboard because he gave 20 lashes for just reading The Liberty Tree. It isn't that far because all he did was read it its not like he went and joined the Patriots.
ReplyDeleteWhen Colonel Gower gave that soldier 20 lashes for reading "The Liberty Tree" my first reaction was, man that was harsh. Later after I thought about the circumstances, time and place, then I began to think it was fair. "The Liberty Tree" was illegal and Colonel Gower seamed to believe that the harsh discipline was a way to set an example to the other rebels or patriots. I have to agree with Colonel Gower because it was illegal to read it, but I wouldn't like to be the person getting the lashes.
ReplyDeleteBecause there are 2 different view points its hard to decide if it is creul, considering the british veiw point it is completly fair b/c they won the war and outlawed the paper he was reading, but the patriot view point is "it is NOT fair b/c we should have the freedon of press!"
ReplyDeleteI think the Colonel did not go overboard because he did what he thought was right and layed down the rules that he thought was correct. When his soldier he is supposed to take care of breaks one of his rules knowingly, then he must take action to discipline a rowdy soldier.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the colonel went overboard because the soldier was just reading it, the colonel didn't know why he was reading it, it could have been to gain information about the patriots.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the colonel went overboard because the colonists should be able to read and believe what they want! They shouldn't be punished for wanting to know more about both sides of the argument between Britain and the colonies! This makes it seem like they are oblivious to everything besides Britain's side of the argument.
ReplyDeleteYes, because he wanted to set an example to the other patriots. Even with the harsh punishments he still went over board, because he has a little bit of a short temper.
ReplyDeleteI think from a Loyalist or British soldiers point of view, he wasn't extreme in punishment; and vice-a-versa with the Patriots (Rebels) point of view. The Patriots had Ben Franklin, who was the one who made and published the Liberty Tree. So if you're on the Patriots side, would you like it if one of your men that's spreading news through a daily paper sort of thing, is considered an outlaw, and if you're caught in posession of The Liberty Tree, you get lashings? I don't think it's fair, but that's looking from the Patriots poin tof view. If you're a Loyalist or British General that gives lashings, then would you think it is unfair and extreme? I seriously doubt it. So wrapping it up, I believe from MY point of view that it was unfair, but look at it from each sides point of view and how they felt about it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the colonel went overboard. One reason is because he gave the colonists 20 lashes so others can learn from him. Another reason is, the colonist might have just been reading it, not knowing what side he's taking, but i think the colonel was just getting his point across to others and so he can learn from his mistake.
ReplyDeleteI believe Colonel Gower went a little overboard because the man who read the "Liberty Tree" was most likely just trying to keep up on what is going on in the revolution. Also, since he did read it was also may be because he could share the things the article said as useful information to the British army.
ReplyDeleteI think that Colonel Gower went too far. Even though he's trying to set an example to the colonists they're still going to do the same thing until they win the war.
ReplyDeletei think that Colonel Gower went overboard with the 20 lashes. I understand that he wanted to get his point across to others but making a man suffer like that for just reading a newspaper was too much. There are other ways to get your point across rather than violence.
ReplyDeleteI think Colonial Gower might have overboard with 20 lashes because the man read "The Liberty Tree" wrote by a the patriot Ben Franklin and Gower wanted to show that this is what happened to you get if you read the newspaper but 20 lashes seems overboard because he could have given the man a warning but still it is only a newspaper.
ReplyDeleteI think that Colonel Gower did go over board because 20 lashes is very harsh. All the man did was read the "Liberty Tree" and even though it is illegal, and the Colonel was trying to set an example to the other colonists, I think that it's just wrong.
ReplyDeleteI do not think Colonel Gower went overboard with the 20 lashes with the cat 'o nine tails because, although painful, it was not that bad of a punishment. The soldier could have been hanged for treason. The whipping was probably a punishment as well as a scare tactic to the other soldiers.
ReplyDelete~Charlie A.
I don't believe the colonel went over board. Since, if a person was caught reading the Liberty Tree that was almost equivalent of breaking the law. Of course the British didn't want any more "rebels" in the colonies. They resorted to a system of you try to go against the King, we hurt you to a point where you stay loyal. So called treason-ish acts like reading a newpaper such as the Liberty Tree it was most likely considered normal to recieve whippings from doing an act such as that.
ReplyDeleteI think it was too much because all he did was read a newspaper. He could have just tried to enforce a law about not having it. So yes Colonel Gower did go overboard with 20 lashes.
ReplyDeleteI think that the colonel did go overboard because the man that got 20 lashes only read a newspaper, even if the newspaper was trying to influence others to want to gain America's independence. Colonel Gower shouldn't give someone 20 lashes to someone for expressing or subscribing to a political group.
ReplyDeleteI think that Colonel Gower went far with giving 20 lashes but not overboard. The Colonel is just trying to show this soldier, and other soldiers, what will happen if they read "The Liberty Tree." No British soldier has a reason to be looking at "The Liberty Tree" andyways unless they think that it is right or true in any way. Although the Colonel had no need to get in the soldiers face after the lashings. He had made his point with the physical punishment there wasn't need, in my opinion, for further embarrassment of the soldier.
ReplyDeleteI think the colonel went to far with the punishment. A week in prison would be punishment enough. Although I understand that without a severe punishment like 20 lashes, he wouldn't be able to inspire the aspect of fear to keep the rebels from getting copies of the Liberty Tree.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Colonel Gower went overboard because in America the British were trying to stop Patriots from getting valuabe info out to all the colonies. To do this they would have to make people feel lots of pain so other people would know not to follow, therefore they would not have as many Patriots trying to give out information behind there backs.
ReplyDeleteI think Colonel Gower did go overboard while giving someone 20 lashes that was reading "The Liberty Tree". I think he went overboard because since someone was reading "The Liberty Tree" it doesn't mean that they follow it. There can also be a chance that he didn't know much about "The Liberty Tree" and chose to see what it was about. I still think that there is no right to punish a man like that, isn't it his life?
ReplyDeletei think that the colonol did go a little overboard but i think that its would be reasonable if it was only 10 lashes. the reason for thinking this is because the paper is the paper of he rebels which is the enemy. the guy reading it could change sides and give the rebels info.
ReplyDeleteI believe the colonel did not go over board because reading the liberty tree is like treason to the King of England. The way it looks that is the least painful way to go about treason in the time of 1777.
ReplyDeleteI think that the colonel did not go overboard because the Liberty Tree is written by Ben Franklin who is very important and the soldier only had it to read it, not because he was part of the Sons of Liberty. But i do think they could've maybe given him less than 20 lashes because thats a lot! I think maybe 10 or less would've been reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI think the colonel went to far. He may have been trying to set an example but 20 lashes was more than enough to set an example. The soldier could have just been reading the Liberty Tree to see what the Patriots would do next in their protests.
ReplyDeleteYes he went overboard, of coarse, because for that little act of not being responsible does not equal the punishment of 20 lashings. At the most he should have been sentenced to jail for 4 to 6 months but to have that permanant emotional and mental scare of haveing as the book calls it, "a latticework of red welts, some oozing blood" just for reading the liberty tree is so totally wrong in so many ways... i believe anyway.
ReplyDeleteI believe Colonel Gower went overboard, based on the excruciating pain the soldier went through. Even though "The Liberty Tree" is strictly a patriot based reading, for all Gower knew, the soldier could be reading it just to get a sense of what the Brits are up against. I could see him giving the soldier a few lashes to get the point across; but 20 is just too much.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the colonel went overboard because this citizen was only merely reading a newspaper and carrying it in his possession. But I can understand how it could be fair because it was a law at the time. I believe that 20 lashes was a rather bitter punishment. A prison sentence would've been more reasonable in my point of view.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the colonel did not go overboard. He was breaking the law and had it in his possession. But then again I think that 20 lashes was a bit to much for one little thing he did.
ReplyDeleteI think that, considering the circumstances, the colonel went way overboard. The man committed no physical crime to anyone, and was punished only for reading. Even if it was the law, 20 lashes seems far to extreme for the "crime" of reading a banned document. 20 lashes seems more like a punishment for assault or bank robbery or something alongthe lines of that. Even if the man had committed a more serious crime, he could have been given some kind of fee or prison time instead of being maimed by a whip.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Colonel Gower didn't go over board for a few reasons. An example of why is because he wanted to merely show that anyone who was caught reading "The Liberty Tree" would be punished severely. This would help eliminate the rebellion and would intimidate others to read "The Liberty Tree".
ReplyDeleteI think the Colonel went a little bit overboard because all he wanted to do was send a strict message to the rest of soldiers saying "this is what will happen to you if you think about doing this." Reading the liberty tree at that time was illegal. But 10 lashes probaly would of been enough to get his point across.
ReplyDeleteI think the colonel went a little overboard with 20 lashings. Even though he was breaking the law by reading "The Liberty Tree", he should not be the one getting punished. The "Sons of Liberty" should be the ones because they are the ones making the newspapers and the guy that had the paper may have not been agreeing with it, he just wanted to see what they were saying or what their thoughts were.
ReplyDeleteI think the colonel went overboard. I could understand if the person only got whipped a few times but i think 20 times is way to much for just reading the paper.
ReplyDeleteI think that 20 lashes is too much for just having the Liberty Tree in your possesion. The Colonel doesn't know what his man was doing with the newspaper. I would understand giving your men a few lashes but twenty is way too much for something as small as having the Liberty Tree. Although technically it is treason the man might of thought it was a good idea to read it to find out what the patriots were planning. Even if the man was trying to commit treason 20 lashes is still too much.
ReplyDeletei think is was a little overbord but on the otherhand i understand that the colonel was trying to pass on a message. i mean, the book was illegal and ben franklin wrote it, who was a rebel. trying to keep people from rebelling is hard and by giving the solider 20 lashes tells others it really gets the point across to stay loyal.
ReplyDeleteI think the colonel went over board with 20 lashes for reading The Liberty Tree. I bet many people read The Liberty Tree and did not get punished for their actions. Even if read it was illegal the colonel should have out him in jail to prove a point and to give an example to other people reading it instead of 20 lashes.
ReplyDeleteI believe the colonel went a little over board, because all the man did was read. Even though it is illegal everyone should have the freedom to read what they want, but since they can't I still think 20 lashes, just to prove a point was a little harsh.
ReplyDeleteI think the colonel did go overboard, all the solidger did was read a book that happened to be written by the patriots. Now the solidger probably shouldn't be reading a book written by the people who hate his army and his country. I don't consider reading a book by the Patriots Treason, but it surly didn't deserve 20 lashes.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think the Colonel went overboard when he gave the soldier the 20 lashes. During the war, there was lots of spies and it would be hard to trust anyone. The soldier could have been a spy for the patriots and the colonel probably wanted to show the other soldiers that if they aren't loyal to England they will suffer the consequences
ReplyDeleteI don't think the colonel overboard by giving the solider 20 lashes because due to the rebellion that was occuring in the colonies, british soldiers were not always sure of their safety. I think the colonel might've thought that the soldier was joining the rebellion and trying to revolt against them. He gave him the 20 lashes, not mainly for the injury, but for the example that was made of it
ReplyDeleteI think the colonel went overboard for some reasons and also i think he didn't doe other reasons. I think he went overboard because just because you're reading "The Liberty Tree" you were thinking of joining the colonies. You might have been able to get info from it. I also think he didn't go overboard because the man could have been thinking to join the colonies. This could put influence into the other soldiers as well. So the colonel sent a message to make sure no one would.
ReplyDeleteI'm neutral on this question. He only just read it and didn't commit any crime. But, reading could mean he will participate in it. And British soldiers always have to worry about their safety in the Colonies since everyone hates them. So my vote could go both ways.
ReplyDeleteI think that 20 lashes is a lot for just reading something considering it takes around 40 to kill someone. But it takes a lot to get something through the thick skulls of somebody who's fighting for freedom.
ReplyDeleteI think that Colonel Gower went a little too far. I think that he was trying to teach the soldiers a lesson, but he was a little too harsh. I also think that the soldier should have had the right to a trial because even though he read "The Liberty Tree" doesn't mean he will become a Patriot.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Colonel didn't go overboard considering the times. With the Liberty Tree being written by one of the biggest traitors, Ben Franklin, the British would have considered the paper treasonous since it went against everything the British thought. The whipping could have been a lot worse besides 20 lashes.
ReplyDeleteI dont think the colonel went overboard. When a paper is written by a rebel the soilder should know not to read it. He is lucky he could have been executed for treason. He only got 20 lashes big whoop. Next time all he has to do is not read the article and he should be fine. Plus the colonel was just sending a message to everyone else no to read anything written by the enemy.
ReplyDeleteI think that he went overboard because the British have already won the war
ReplyDelete~Zach L
I believe that from the colonists' point of veiw he probably di very much, but for the British, I believe it was very resonable. They thought that The Sons of Liberty were evil and treasonous, and if they had it their way completely, he'd have probably been hanged.
ReplyDeleteI am torn whether he did or did not go overboard, I understand why he punished the soldier, the Liberty Tree is a paper for the patriots, the opposing force. Colonel Gower is convinced they are bad, stupid people and he doesn't want his soldiers being exposed to their propaganda. I also can see that he might be scared that his soldiers may become traitor and by punishing this soldier he both punished him and showed the other soldiers what could happen. I also think he went overboard a little because It was a harmless thing, he was reading, he wasn't fighting with the rebels he was just reading their newspaper. I also think it was hypocritical because the Colonel is just going to go read it himself to find any information so why should the soldier be punished so severly while he gets nothing?
ReplyDelete