Historic Jamestown, Virginia, is the seat of the our constitutional ideals. Jamestown was founded on April 10, 1606 by the Virginia Company wherein all members of the colony would have the same rights as other subjects of the Crown. It was initially called "James Fort" on May 4, 1607.Settlers started joining the company in 1607. Many of the first settlers died due to either illness or unpreparedness with only 60 of the original 214 settlers surviving those first couple years. The site was temporarily abandoned in 1610 returning after being resupplied. I wonder how many of us can trace at least one line of our ancestry to Virginia (my paternal line starts in Virginia but I have not found the transport records for the original settlers). It was in Jamestown, in 1619, that the First Representative Legislative Assembly was held, setting the stage for our country's eventual withdrawal from the Crown and the creation of our Constitutional Republic.
On July 30, 2025, The White House published thePresidential Message on the 406th Anniversary of the First Representative Legislative Assembly in Americawhere he reminds us that the first settlers gathered in a church to form the First Assembly of Colonists. This meeting is recognized as the oldest continuous lawmaking body in the Western Hemisphere. Colonizers came to the new world as independent people who wanted to govern their own lives. President Trump writes:
From town halls to statehouses to Congress and the presidency, the ideals that animated that first assemblyself-determination, representation, popular accountability, and devotion to the common goodstill coarse through our customs and inspire our way of life.
As we stand on the cusp of our 250th year as an independent Nation, we pause now to honor the enduring principles of liberty and independence that were born in Virginia, the cradle of American democracy. These principles have guided our country for more than two centuries, and will continue to light our way for generations to come.
Today, we reaffirm that self-government and hard-fought freedom are our prized inheritance. America is not ruled by tyrants or distant powers; it is governed by a free, strong, and independent citizenry. As the legacy of Jamestown lives on through the Virginia House of Delegates and in the heart of every American citizen, we pay tribute to the heroic tenacity, bravery, and vision of the first settlers. Through their sacrifice, 406 years later, our Nation now stands taller, prouder, mightier, and greater than ever beforeunited, free, and governed only by the will of our people as one glorious Nation under God.
On July 30, 2025, The White House publishedNominations Sent to the Senatenominating the following 11 people for appointments:
Thomas Albus, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri for the term of four years.
Timothy Dill, of Ohio, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
Andrew Duva, of Florida, to be an Assistant Attorney General.
Daniel Edwards, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation, vice Carol Annette Petsonk, resigned.
Thomas Ferguson III, of North Carolina, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for the term of four years.
Ho Nieh, of Alabama, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2029.
Michael Payne, of Virginia, to be Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Department of Defense.
Richard Price, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri for the term of four years.
Darin Smith, of Wyoming, to be United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming for the term of four years.
Maurice Todd, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.
Douglas Troutman, of Maryland, to be Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Secretary has notified me that adequate systems are now in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect duties for articles otherwise eligible for duty-free de minimis treatment on a global basis, including for products described in section 2(a) and section 2(b) of Executive Order 14193, section 2(a) of Executive Order 14194, and section 3(a) of Executive Order 14257.
Therefore, duty-free de minimis is now suspended, closing the loophole that allowed entities to evade tariffs, funnel deadly synthetic opioids, and other products meant to harm US workers and businesses.
The accompanying Fact SheetPresident Donald J. Trump is Protecting the United States National Security and Economy by Suspending the De Minimis Exemption for Commercial Shipments Globallyexplains that effective August 29, 2025, regular imported goods at or under $800 will now be subject to all applicable duties (i.e., tariffs). Those goods sent by the Internal Postal System will be assessed either by 1) Ad Valorem duty - a duty rate equivalent to the tariff imposed under International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) applicable to the country of product origin or 2) Specific Duty - range from $80 to $200 per item depending on IEEPA. However, longstanding exemptions remain in place meaning US travelers can still bring back up to $200 in personal items from travel abroad and individuals can still receive gifts valued at $100 or less duty-free.
It is thought that this will close the loophole to stop deceptive shipping practices, illegal material, and tariff circumvention and keep products that pose health, safety, and economic security risks out of our country. Unfortunately, this could also mean that anyone who obtains medicine from out of the country may see their meds either tariffed or confiscated (including orders for ivermectin which the US government, and many hospitals, banned during the covid debacle).
On July 30, 2025, President Trump signed EOAddressing Threats to The United States by the Government of Brazildeclaring a National Emergency because the Government of Brazil has taken actions that infringe of the rights of US Citizens free expression, violate human rights, violate free and fair elections, and undermine the interest the US has in protecting its citizens and companies. To combat this, President Trump has added an additional 40% to the Ad Valorem rate of duty effective August 6, 2025. The accompanying Fact SheetPresident Donald J. Trump Addresses Threats to the United States from the Government of Brazilexplains that this order brings the effective tariff rate for Brazil to 50%.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), as amended, 50 U.S.C. 4511; section 301 of title 3, United States Code; and section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 2483, do hereby proclaim as follows:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, as set forth in the Annex to this proclamation, shall be subject to a 50 percent tariff. This tariff shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on August 1, 2025, and shall continue in effect, unless such action is expressly reduced, modified, or terminated. This tariff is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products, unless stated otherwise below.
(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shall determine whether any modifications to the HTSUS are necessary to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modifications through notice in the Federal Register if needed.
(3) Within 90 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional derivative copper articles within the scope of the duties of this proclamation, consistent with the processes established pursuant to Proclamation 10895 of February 10, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States) and Proclamation 10896 of February 10, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States).
(4) The non-copper content of all copper articles subject to this proclamation shall be subject to tariffs pursuant to Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), and any other applicable duties, including those imposed by Executive Order 14193 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border), as amended, Executive Order 14194 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Situation at Our Southern Border), as amended, and Executive Order 14195 of February 1, 2025 (Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the Peoples Republic of China), as amended. The additional duties described in clauses 1 through 3 of this proclamation shall apply only to the copper content of articles subject to this proclamation. CBP shall issue authoritative guidance mandating strict compliance with declaration requirements for copper content in imported articles and outlining maximum penalties for noncompliance, including that importers who submit underreported declarations may be subject to severe consequences, such as significant monetary penalties, loss of import privileges, and criminal liability, consistent with United States law.
(5) If any product is subject to tariffs under both this proclamation and Proclamation 10908 of March 26, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), as amended, the product shall be subject to the duties imposed pursuant to Proclamation 10908, as amended, and not those imposed pursuant to this proclamation.
(6) Any product described in clause 1 of this proclamation, except those eligible for admission as domestic status as described in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to a duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation must be admitted as privileged foreign status as described in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.
(7) The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of copper and its derivatives. The Secretary shall, from time to time, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, review the status of copper and copper derivative imports with respect to national security. The Secretary shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretarys opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232. By June 30, 2026, the Secretary shall provide the President with an update on domestic copper markets, including refining capacity and the market for refined copper in the United States, so that the President may determine whether imposing a phased universal import duty on refined copper of 15 percent starting on January 1, 2027, and 30 percent starting on January 1, 2028, as recommended by the June 30, 2025, report, is warranted to ensure that copper imports do not continue to threaten to impair the national security. The Secretary shall also inform the President of any circumstance that, in the Secretarys opinion, might indicate that the duty rate provided for in this proclamation, or any actions modifying this proclamation, is no longer necessary.
(8) Separately, I find that copper input materials and high-quality copper scrap meet the criteria specified in section 101(b) of the DPA, 50 U.S.C. 4511(b). Pursuant to the authority delegated to the Secretary in Executive Order 13603 of March 16, 2012 (National Defense Resources Preparedness), the Secretary shall take all appropriate action to implement the domestic sales requirements that he recommended in the June 30, 2025, report.
(9) The Secretary may issue regulations, rules, guidance, and procedures consistent with the purpose of this proclamation, including to address operational necessity.
(10) No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.
(11) CBP may take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer the tariff imposed by this proclamation.
(12) Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency. If any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected.
This ensures that US manufacturing and processing will use US copper, noting the US used to be the world leader of copper production in the 20th Century. However, US copper production plummeted and the top 4 producers of copper today are foreign companies. Copper is necessary for products manufactured/produced for the Department of Defense making this an issue of National Security. Unfair trade practices have also impacted copper production in the US. President Trump points out that the US-UK agreement of May 8, 2025 discussed in my May 9, 2025 ANP article (and for which we have not seen the EO) there are intentions on both countries to address the copper sector national security threat. The accompanying Fact SheetPresident Donald J. Trump Takes Action to Address the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copperfurther explains the EO imposes a universal 50% tariff on all imports of copper products effective August 1, 2025. The EO also requires 25% of high-quality copper scrap produced in the US to be sold in the US. By 2027, 25% of copper input materials (copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) produced in the US are to be sold to the US increasing to 30% in 2028 and 40% in 2029. It is thought this will "level the playing field" for US copper businesses as well as support a strong domestic copper industry. The Fact Sheet cites results of the investigation of the February 25, 2025 EO 14220Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copperand its accompanying Fact Sheet,both discussed in my June 1, 2025 ANP Article, as the catalyst for this EO.
On January 23, 2025 President Trump issuedEO 14178Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technologyand its accompanyingFact Sheetestablished the Working Group and required the Group to identify "all regulations, guidance documents, orders, or other items that affect the digital asset sector" within 30 days. Then, within 60 days provide guidance as to which should be rescinded or modified. Within 180 days the Group was to provide the above report recommending regulatory and legislative proposals advancing the goal of the US becoming the leader in digital financials (including crypto).
The Group recommends that Congress eliminate existing gaps in regulatory oversight and embrace DeFi tech. They recommend the SEC and CFTC use their authority to immediately enable trading of digital assets at the Federal level as well as provide clarity on issues such as registration, custody, trading, and recordkeeping. They also recommend the SEC and CFTC provide safe harbors and regulatory sandboxes to allow these innovative financial products to reach consumers without bureaucratic delays.
The Group also recommends modernizing bank regulations to cover digital assets to clarify permissible bank activities in custody, tokenization, stablecoin issuance, and the use of blockchains while promoting transparency. They also want to ensure that bank capital rules are aligned with the actual risks associated with digital assets (not just their presence on a distributed ledger). However, they do not enumerate what the "actual risks" are.
The Group further recommends that Treasury and IRS reduce burdens on taxpayers, review issued guidance on the tax treatment of activities like mining and staking, and ask Congress to enact legislation to treat digital assets as a new class subject to modified version of tax rules. They also recommend the Treasury and banking agencies implement the GENIUS Act (discussed in my July 19, 2025 ANP Article) and that Congress pass the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act codifying President Trump's stance against CBDC in the US thereby protecting privacy and civil liberties of US Citizens.
Today, GDP growth came in above market expectations, and yesterday, consumer confidence rose. Americans trust in President Trumps America First economic agenda that continues to prove the so-called experts wrong. President Trump has reduced Americas reliance on foreign products, boosted investment in the US, and created thousands of jobs delivering on his promise to Make America Wealthy Again. The data is clear, and there are no more excuses now is the time for too late Powell to cut the rates!
The White House would like for you to know that:
The "experts" were wrong again - the economy grew 3% in Q2.
Inflation remains on track and consumer spending increased (up 1.4%)
The private sector is responsible for this growth - not the government - with a rise of 6.1% over the first 2 quarters of President Trump being in office (compared to Autopen's Administration of just 0.5%).
The "Made in America" agenda (discussed in my July 26, 2025 ANP Article) is achieving the President's America First Agenda with domestic production of autos increasing 35.5% and manufacturing increasing 1.8% so far this year.
The US economic momentum defies expectations - core inflation is below market expectation for 5 straight months; jobless claims have fallen for 6 weeks in a row; and customs & tariff revenues have totaled over $150,000,000,000 creating the first June budget surplus in almost 10 years.
Finally, on July 30, 2025, President Trump signed HR 1815VA Home Loan Program Reform Act into law. This law amends Title 38 USC to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take certain actions in the case of a default on a home loan guaranteed by the Secretary, and for other purposes.
This Law amends 3732 Procedure on Default changes "obligation" to "loan" and enables the Secretary to:
(A) (i) pay the holder of a loan guaranteed under this chapter an amount necessary to avoid the foreclosure of such loan; (ii) require the holder of the loan and the veteran obligated on the load to execute all documents necessary to ensure the Secretary obtains a secured interest in the property covered by the loan; and (iii) require the holder of the loan to take any actions necessary to carry out this paragraph, including preparing, executing, transmitting, receiving, and recording documents, and requiring the holder of the loan to place the loan in forbearance.
(B) strikes "obligation" and inserts "housing loan"
(C) adds (i) Any decision by the Secretary under this paragraph is final and is not subject to judicial review and (ii) decisions under this Law shall not affect provision of benefits. So they won't be taking away the VA benefits if someone defaults on the housing loan.
(D) adds (i) The Secretary may establish standards for processing payments under this paragraph based on a certification by a holder of a loan guaranteed under this chapter that the holder has complied with all applicable requirements established by the secretary; (ii) The Secretary shall carry out, on a random-sampling basis, post-payment audits to ensure compliance with all requirements described in clause (i); adds new subsection (d) The Secretary shall prescribe loss mitigation procedures, including a mandatory sequence in which the holder of a loan guaranteed under this chapter shall offer loss mitigation options (including an option to enter into a partial claim agreement under the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act) to a veteran, to help prevent the foreclosure of such loan. The Secretary may not purchase an entire such loan until the veteran has completed such sequence.
A new section 3737 Partial Claim Program is created guaranteeing that if the Secretary authorizes payment on your housing loan, they will receive a "secured interest" in the property serving as collateral for the Secretary's additional loan. A partial claim may not exceed 25% of the unpaid principal balance on the date the claim is made. For those who defaulted prior to enactment in the period March 1, 2020 to May 1, 2025, the partial claim may not exceed 30% of the unpaid principal balance on the date the claim is made. Only 1 partial claim per loan is allowed under this Act unless the Veteran is impacted by a Presidentially claimed National Disaster for a period of 120 days following such a disaster. Please consult a loan professional or your VA Advocate if you have need of this new service as the specifics get pretty involved.
This Act provides $344,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and $257,700,000 from 2027 through 2030.
57 Presidential Orders, Memoranda, Determinations, Permits, and Notices
On July 31, 2025, the Federal Register published the Memorandum of July 15, 2025Revoking PPD-6 on U.S. Global Development Policy which went straight to the Federal Register for publication. In this Memorandum President Trump revoked Presidential Policy Directive-6 of September 22, 2010 as it is no longer in accord with President Trump's recent executive actions and views on the proper role and scale of US foreign assistance or the degree to which these efforts should be coordinated with and conducted through certain international organizations. Apparently this policy was revoked because they shut down USAID.
Sec. 100051. Appropriation for the Department of Homeland Security. $2,055,000,000 in 2025 for
Immigration and Enforcement Activities - Hiring and training of additional US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, and the necessary support staff, to carry out immigration enforcement activities.
1. Departures and Removals - funding for transportation costs and related costs associated with the departure or removal of aliens.
2. Personnel Assignments - Funding for the assignment of DHS employees and State officers to carry out immigration enforcement activities.
3. Background Checks - Hiring additional staff and investing the necessary resources to enhance screening and vetting of all aliens seeking entry into the US
4. Protecting Alien Children from Exploitation - for those without a valid visa funding is provided for: (A) collecting fingerprints and (B) collecting DNA.
5. Transporting and Return of Aliens From Contiguous Territory
6. State and Local Participation funding -
7. Removal of Specified Unaccompanied Alien Children - (A) ending the presence of criminal gangs and criminal organizations throughout the US; (B) addressing crime and public safety threats; (C) combating human smuggling and trafficking networks through the US; (D) supporting immigration enforcement activities; and (E) providing reimbursement for State and local participation in such efforts.
8. Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens
9. Removal of Certain Criminal Aliens without Further Hearings
10. Criminal and Gang Checks for Unaccompanied Alien Children who are 12 years of age and older, including examination of such unaccompanied alien children for gang-related tattoos and other gang-related markings
11. Information Technology investments to support immigration purposes, including improvements to fee and revenue collections.
Sec. 100052. Appropriation for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. $29,850,000,000 for 2025 for
Hiring and Training
Performance, Retention, and Signing Bonuses
Recruitment, Hiring, Onboarding by (A) investing in IT, recruitment, and marketing; and (B) hiring staff necessary to carry out these activities.
Transportation
Information Technology (IT)
Facility Upgrades
Fleet Modernization
Family Unity (while child is under 18 years of age)
Agreements
Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office - for hiring & training additional staff and for providing nonfinancial assistance to victims of crime perpetrated by aliens who are present in the US without authorization.
Office of the Principal Legal Advisor - for hiring additional attorneys and necessary support staff to represent DHS in immigration enforcement and removal proceedings.
Sec. 100053. Appropriation for Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers. $750,000,000 of which not less than $285,000,000 for training and not more than $465,000,000 for facilities for 2025.
Sec. 100054. Appropriation for the Department of Justice. $3,330,000,000 in 2025 for
Executive Office for Immigration Review - hiring immigration judges and support staff; however, effective November 1, 2028, there shall be not more than 800 immigration judges with necessary support staff.
Combating Drug Trafficking
Prosecution of Immigration Matters - such as gang-related crimes involving aliens, child trafficking and smuggling involving aliens, unlawful voting by aliens, violation of the Alien Registration Act, and violations of or fraud relation to title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193; 110 Stat. 2277) including hiring additional DOJ personnel to investigate and prosecute such matters
Nonparty or Other Injunctive Relief - Hiring additional attorneys and support staff to continue to implement assignments from the AG
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant Program and Office of Community Oriented Policing for initiatives associated with investigating and prosecuting violent crime; criminal enforcement initiatives; and immigration enforcement and removal efforts.
Fiscally Responsible Lawsuit Settlements - hiring additional attorneys and support staff to maximize lawsuit settlements that require the payment of fines and penalties to the Treasury of the US in lieu of providing for the payment to any person or entity other than the US
Compensation for Incarceration of Criminal Aliens - to States provided the alien has been convicted of a felony or 2 or more misdemeanors and entered the USD without inspection or was subject of removal proceedings at the time the alien was taken into custody by the State or was admitted as a nonimmigrant but failed to maintain nonimmigrant status with limitations.
Sec. 100055. NEW Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide Reimbursement Fund $3,500,000,000 for 2025 for grants to eligible States, State agencies & units of local government for events in this section occurring on or after January 20, 2021:
Locating and apprehending aliens who have committed crime in addition to being unlawfully present in the US
Collection and analysis of law enforcement investigative info with the US to counter gang or other criminal activity
Investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by aliens within the US and drug and human trafficking crimes committed within the US
Court operations related to the prosecution of crimes committed by aliens and drug and human trafficking crimes
Temporary criminal detention of aliens
Transporting aliens within the US to locations related to the apprehension, detention, and prosecution of such aliens
Vehicle maintenance, logistics, transportation, and other support provided to law enforcement agencies by a State agency to enhance the ability to locate and apprehend aliens in this section.
Sec. 100056. Appropriation for the Bureau of Prisons. $5,000,000,000 in 2025 with not less than $3,000,000,000 for salaries and benefits, hiring and training of new employees, including correctional officers, medical professionals, and facilities and maintenance employees with necessary support staff and additional funding for salaries and benefits for the current workforce of the Bureau of Prisons. And not more than $2,000m,000,000 for addressing maintenance and repairs to facilities maintained or operated by the Bureau of Prisons.
Sec. 100057. Appropriation for the United States Secret Service (USSS). $1,170,000,000 in 2025 for additional USSS resources, including personnel, training facilities, programming, and technology performance, retention, and signing bonuses for qualified USSS personnel IAW section (c).
Freedom demands much of us. But what it gives in return . . . Is everything.
Today's Patriot is Francis Lewis who was born March 21, 1713 in Llandaff, Wales. He was an only child. He was orphaned at age 5, sent to live with a maiden aunt (on his mother's side). He studied in Scotland, learning Gaelic. Later, he attended Westminster School in London.
Francis worked in a mercantile house in London. When he turned 21, he sold the propertieshe inherited from his father, bought merchandise, and set sail for New York City arriving in 1734. He took about 1/2 the goods on to Philadelphia, leaving the remainder with his business partner. He lasted about 2 years in Philadelphia before returning to New York City.
Francismarried Elizabeth Annesley (the younger sister of his mercantile business partner) on June 15, 1745. They had 7 children, 3 of whom lived to adulthood.
Francis traveled extensively as a mercantile agent over the years, surviving 2 shipwrecks (both off the coast of Ireland).
Francis was a supplier of uniforms to the British during the French & Indian War at Fort Oswego in August 1956. The fort surrendered to General Montcalm with assurances for the safety of those still alive in the fort. However, Montcalm allowed his Indian allies to select 30 people to either kill or enslave. Francis was among those chosen. Francis was able to interpret the Indian language because, to him, it was much like his home language in Wales. Because of this, the Indian chief decided Francis should be returned to his family. However, the French decided he should be a prisoner, so they sent him to jail in France.
Upon his release in a prisoner exchange in 1763, he returned to the Colonies. The Crown granted him 5,000 acres of land in New York as compensation for his 7-year captivity. He returned to his mercantile business retiring in 1765 at the age of 52 after making a fortune. He was the 5th wealthy among all the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Francis became active in politics when the Crown decided to tax the colonists but not allow them representation. In 1765, he attended the Stamp Act Congress and became a member of the Sons of Liberty. Francis joined the "Committee of 50" which became the "Committee of 51" upon his joining in 1774. He was a member of the New York provincial convention and assisted in setting up the colony's new government. In 1775, Francis moved his family to an estate in Whitestone, NY.
Francis was an elected representative in both the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress, signing the Olive Branch Petition in 1775. He financially backed the Colonies. He also procured clothing for General Schuyler's continental army. In 1776, British Captain Birtch sent a troop to destroy Francis' Whitestone home where his wife was living while he and their sons were working for the Colonies. The troops took Elizabeth captive, throwing her in a jail cell with no bed, no changes of clothing, and little food. General Washington, upon learning of Elizabeth's capture, ordered the arrest of both Mrs. Barren, wife of British Paymaster-General and Mrs. Kempe, wife of the Attorney-General of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He let the British know that his captives would be receiving the same treatment as Elizabeth unless an exchange was made. Elizabeth's health deteriorated with her imprisonment and did not recover upon her release. She died in June 1779.
In 1775, Francis became a member of the Committee of 100. He served in the Provincial Congress from 1776-1777. In 1778 he signed the Articles of Confederation. He was commissioner of the board of admiralty in 1779.
In 1781, Francis retired from all political efforts. He became a Vestry member of Trinity Church where he served from 1783 to 1786 guiding them through the process of changing from an Anglican Church to the newly formed Episcopal Church.
Francis died in New York City on December 31, 1802 he was 89 years old (although the memorial stone gives the incorrect date of 1803). He is buried in Trinity Churchyard, the exact location of his burial site is unknown. He is the only signer of the Declaration of Independence to be buried in Manhattan, NY.
In John Trumbulls oil-on-canvas painting Declaration of Independence, Francis Lewis is seated, the second signer visible directly to the right of Benjamin Franklin, who is standing in the foreground. Francis is seen second from left on the 18 center stamp in the 1976 five-stamp souvenir sheet reproducing the painting (Scott 1687c).
ANP Fundraiser:
Dangerous, Derogatory, Harmful, Unreliable!
Those are some of the exact words used by Googles censors, aka 'Orwelliancontent police,' in describing many of our controversial stories.Stories later proven to be truthful and light years ahead of the mainstream media. But because we reported those 'inconvenient truths' they're trying to bankrupt ANP.
