Historic Dates In May

The month of May was a conspicuous one in our revolutionary and pre-revolutionary history. In May, 1765, the action of the Virginia Legislatura, led by Patriok Henry, iiisisting upon the rights of that colony to make its own laws and impose its own taxes, exerted a powerful influence over tlie rest in shaping popular feeHng into a settled purpose. In May, 1771, there was an outbreak in North Carolina caused by the tyranny of Tryon, the royal Governor. In May, 1774, Louis XVI. ascended the throne of France, and at the same time committees of correspondenoe, representing Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, Charlestown, Lynn and Lexington, met in Faneuil Hall, and proposed a general discoutinuance of tra ie with England, and Boston appealed to the other colonies for aid and comfort in the atraits to which it was subjected. South Carolina was theflrst to reply by shipping 200 barrels of rice, and promising 800 more. In May, 1775, a company of 170 volunteered from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, now Vermont, led by Ethan Allen, marched to Lake Champlain, and captured in succession the important posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. At this time, also, the sturdy Presbyterians of Mpp.lripnbnrir nonntv. Tí. C.. met in formal convention at Charlotte, and united in a distinct deolaration of independent rights and powers. May lt), 1775, the second Continental Congress assembled in Philadeiphia, and among other acts adopted the volunteers then encamped about Boston as a Continental army, of which Washington was Commander-in-chief. In May, 1777, the Earl of Chatham entreated a cessation of hostilities, and Baron Kosciusko, Count Pulaski, and Baron Steuben offered their services to Cocgress. In May, 1779, the west coast of África and the Channel Islands were in turn the scène of conflict between Great Britain and France. In May, 1780, Kussia, Denmark and Sweden united in a declaration of armed neutrality, in which other European nations joined, having for its object the protection of their commerce from British interference. In May, 1781, Gen. Green took possession of South Carolina. In this month, 1787, a convention of flfty delegates from the several States assembied in Philadeiphia for a revisión of the articles of confederation. Washington presided, and among its members were Franklin, Sherman, Hamilton, Morris, Madison and Pinckney. The Constitution they then framed in due course received the approval of the several States, and in 1788 went into effect. Under it Washington was elected flrst President of the United States, and John Adams, Vice-president. Upon April 30, 1789, Washington entered upon his flrst administration, and at this point the history proper of the United States begins. - Brooklvn Union.