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I love with all my heart

The independent part.

To obey the Parliament

My conscience wont consent.

I never can abide

To fight on England’s side.

I pray that God may bless

The great and Grand Congress.

This is my mind and heart

Though none should take my part

The man thats called a Tory

To plague is all my glory.

How righteous is the cause

To keep the Congress laws!

To fight against the King

Bright Liberty will bring.

Lord North and England’s King

I hope that they will swing.

Of this opinion I

Resolve to live and die

His participation in the destruction of the Gaspee has been already described. When the office of Major-General of the Rhode Island Colonial Forces was created his zeal and energy had so impressed his fellow members of the General Assembly that he was chosen to fill it. His tenure of office must have been brief. In 1776 he had been chosen Assistant (Assistants were elected by the vote of all the freemen of the Colony), but he did not present himself at many meetings of the Assembly. In fact so neglectful was he of his duties that a vote was passed requesting his reasons for absenting himself, and demanding his attendance at the next session. Undoubtedly the increased taxes had something to do with it. He was the wealthiest citizen of Bristol and one of the richest men in the Colony, and the possession of money was his chief delight. He could not bear to see it taken away from him even though the independence of the Colonies might thereby be assured. (One day a young nephew was talking with him and lamenting his apparent lack of success. “How, Captain Potter,” said he, “shall I go to work to make money?” “Make money,” said Potter, “make money! I would plow the ocean into pea porridge to make money.”)