Portfolio: Essay

The Whig versus the Tory

“Life, liberty, property” was one of the primary reasons of independence-seekers that led to separation between them and the pro-British (The American Promise 190). The characters below, Barton Albert and Bradford Kaine, are in conflict in the American Revolution. Barton was appointed in 1762 as a royal governor who portrays as William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin’s son. Barton was a loyalist who was sympathetic towards patriots’ views, before he was appointed in 1762. His views changed when the Stamp Act controversy occurred. Barton Albert is considered as the “Tory”, which was a label used by patriots. Barton, as the loyalist, labeled patriots "Whigs." Bradford Kaine portrays Thomas Paine, who was a patriot seeking independence from the British Empire. He was born in Britain and came over to live in America to take part in the revolution. The debate, with a modern twist in rapping, took place before the battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.

Barton Albert:

Colonel Dincklage wrote that "Neighbors are on opposite sides
Children are against their fathers"
What side should I decide (Raphael, 152)?
Well I’m the royal governor
Please call me Barton Albert I took an oath in sixty-two (1762)
Against my father's whiggish view ("William Franklin of New Jersey", 360)
Whig listen up,
I want to tell you something,
You’ve come here as a British,
You’ll always be a British,
We’ve helped you as one whole,
We’ll treat you as our subjects.
Well what do you want more?

Bradford Kaine:

I'm New York's own Bradford Kaine,
Letting you know they are much too vain.
We came to America to be free,
How else to express it but to pour this tea?

Barton Albert:

Listen up, do you hear?
Remember the war of Seven Years?
We fought alongside against the French (The American Promise, 182)
for they were “trespassing on [our land]” (The American Promise, 175)
for they wanted to trade for furs.
In the War, they allied with Indians.
What did the British do Against them?
We all use our men (The American Promise, 175).
Seventeen-seventeen-sixty-three (1763),
the idiotic French withdrew.
The British signed the Treaty of Paris,
But the Indians still continued.
What else did the British do?
The British “called the Proclamation of 1763” (The American Promise, 182)
“Influenced [by] Lord Bute” (“William Franklin of New Jersey”, 362).
Lord Bute influenced Barton Albert into loyalists’ perspectives.
To limit trade with brutes [Indians],
I agree with him to post an army,
And to protect from our enemies.
The Proclamation of 1763 aims at minimizing violence between the settlers and Indians by limiting trade. Lord Bute’s decision was to post a British army to separate the Indians and the settlers (The American Promise, 182).

Bradford Kaine:

One-to-the-seven-to-six-to-the-three (1763),
Look what your people have done to me.
They want us to contribute, to their stupid army.
You agree to help them, silly little Tory.
Nine count them nine. That's how long they've fought.
France and England want to expand their territories, I simply do not.
Yet you agree and I'm unsure why.
For they are only using us
This thought I have expressed is something you should apply.

Barton Albert:

I was “sympathetic towards [the] whiggish views,”
but all had to change in seventeen-sixty-two (“William Franklin of New Jersey”, 362).
Northern colonist suffered an economic depression.
After Seven Years we’re heavily in debt
borrowing loans kept the debt growing. (“William Franklin of New Jersey”, 363)
I proposed an act to issue a new paper money.
I sent this act to the king to make a prosperous colony.
The king disapproved it because “the notes had in effect
been made legal Tender at the loan office” (“William Franklin of New Jersey”, 364).
The Stamp Act came along
Whig, you think it’s a threat
But who would pay off the money?
You’re the British Subject.

Bradford Kaine:

How dare you think it's okay to be taxed?
They tax our documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, playing cards, pamphlets, and wills.
The fact that you find this acceptable gives me chills.

Barton Albert:

Bradford, you’re responsible in paying the Stamp Act tax
For the Seven Year’s Debt
Taxed any paper like Bills of lading.
The tax was designed to raise more money (The American Promise, 186).

Bradford Kaine:

"No taxation without representation."
Remember the Magna Carta that formed this nation?
This isn't fair, the way you just don't care.
We left to be free; they’re keeping us from that.
Don't you see? Let us govern ourselves
And let them keep to themselves.

Barton Albert:

I know that you say “No tax without representation” (Nardo 13).
You said
that the parliament has no right to tax.
“The Americans are represented
[As British] in the virtual sense” (Nardo 30).
You should not exempt Americans are Englishmen
Although I want to tempt
Taxes were levied
By American Whigs and Tories (Nardo 32).

Bradford Kaine:

"We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”
Come to our side and bring your men.
We are not British subjects, but Americans at that.
Come here so we can have a little chit chat.
I believe we should be separated from Britain.
Why don't you agree my Goodman?

Barton Albert:

I have no patience with these rioters
I consider it as a serious offense
I’d be happy to remove all these grievers,
but I must make an example,
the laws that they trample.
America wanted protection
Mother country provides them
a supplied stationed army.

Bradford Kaine:

Seventeen seventy (1770), five were killed.
Killed by the Brit's own hands.
This is what started our silly little war.
How dare you treat us like the poor?
We have no rights!
My anger now ignites.
We are being weighed down this was suppose to be our town!
They can't invade like this,
How can you side with them?
Look at how they cause mayhem!
We are enslaved just because of how we've behaved.

Barton Albert:

Americans have the same right as the British.
Parliament is abusing rights
as you wish.
You are confused with you rights.
There are two types, right?
One is personal,
the other political.
Now tell me what’s the difference?
Let me tell you ,good riddance.
Your personal rights are in common with the British,
Your political rights are local.
You want power for yourselves
That means you’re selfish (Nardo 51).
Each colony signed an agreement
to become a British Corporation,
to regulate trade and to tax,
and quartering troops, relax.
These are not abuses,
Your personal rights are not abused.

Bradford Kaine:

I'm not selfish Whig!
We just want to be free.
Our rights are being abused!
Can't you see?

Barton Albert:

Again being you as selfish
Believing British rule
To be an elimination
So you loyalists can rule.
There'll be no reconciliation
Something I had hoped for.
But if there was,
Everything will go back to normal.
Bigger population,
Value to the land,
Increasing prosperity to all.
The things I had hoped for (Nardo 63-65).
I feel that the war is starting
The tensions that are lurking
I had tried my best
I cared for the colonies welfare
Please give me a rest
I had so little to gain.
Too much to lose.
Parting away with father and friend
Overthrow the Mother (Britain) they'd choose,
But I believe in compromise.
The King, Parliament is right
But better the overthrow you might ("William Franklin Of New Jersey" 378-380)

Bradford Kaine:

Let's see how the war will be doing
You'll be gone, gone, going

Barton Albert:
Yes, let's see.

The “rappers”, Barton Albert and Bradford Kaine brought back memories from the Seven Year’s War and the British taxes that shaped their position in supporting/against the British Empire. After the intense “rap debate” between Albert and Kaine, the first year of the Revolutionary War started in few days (Lexington and Concord as the first battle). Albert and Kaine, as a loyalist or a patriot, would face many challenges and obstacles during the War and who would still bravely uphold their position.




Sources:
1) William Franklin of New Jersey
Fennelly, Catherine. "William Franklin of New Jersey." The William and Mary Quarterly 3rd ser. 6.3 (1949): 361-382. JSTOR. Highline Community College Library, Federal Way. 1 Nov. 2007.
2) The American Revolution
Nardo, Don. The American Revolution. San Diego: Greenhaven P, Inc., 1998. 6-143.
3)The American Promise
4) Music of the American Revolution
"Music of the American Revolution." National Park Service Museum. 17 Mar. 2005. 2 Nov. 2007.