Why did John Hancock write his name really big on the Declaration of Independence? "Because he wanted to make sure the king could read his signature without his glasses." Ok, why? "Because he wanted to show the king that we were a separate nation now." Kinda. Did you know, that almost every one of our founding fathers were wanted criminals? It isn't that hard to believe. England had a system of government that we rejected and we rebelled. That would make those who oppose the king, traitors.
Back to my original question. To answer, I'll give you a little background. John Hancock was a very wealthy shipping magnate. He actually stood to lose the most with having English tea being imported to Boston from the East India Company. Hancock made his money by illegally smuggling items. Everything from glass, lead, paper, French molasses, and of course tea. However, in 1768, when he arrived from England, his ship, Liberty, was impounded by British officials for violating revenue laws. He was then formally charged with smuggling, and obviously being as guilty as he was, he had a very quick witted attorney that got all charges dropped. His name was John Adams. When the Declaration of Independence was finally written, this was Hancock's way of saying to the king, "You can't get me." (like a child) Basically, he was thumbing his nose at the king, because he was a wanted criminal, and the king couldn't do anything about it.
At the beginning of our American history, (I say that because before the Declaration, we were English), everyone who opposed, fought, or sought rebellion was a traitor according to the king. They were all wanted criminals, and all would have faced possible hangings. For this reason, it is correct in saying that criminals wrote up our Constitution and our system of government. You know what I believe? I prefer it this way. I prefer a country that has become more successful than the country that tried to rule it. Our founding fathers were criminals to the English, but patriots to me, and my country.
