John headed home to Abigail in early 1776. There was still (unbelievable as it may seem at this point) a hope that matters could be resolved, and that the 13 rebellious colonies would remain a part of the British Empire. This was the general feeling, the Congress was not looking towards Independence – but towards “resolutions” and self-rule laws that they would present to England.
But then – like a bomb going off in January – Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was published. The impact of this document can’t be over-estimated. Shock waves went out through the colonies. People began to look towards a complete break with England.
