110 THE GREEN RISING 



were more directly affected by the immediate causes 

 of the War than any other group. "That the south- 

 ern colonies joined with those of the North in the 

 Revolutionary War," says Carrier, "may be traced 

 directly to the heavy taxes imposed on the agricul- 

 tural products shipped to England and the terrific 

 loss occasioned by the cumbersome commercial 

 system, which prevented the colonists from vending 

 their own products more directly to the consumers. 

 With New England equipped to conduct the carrying 

 trade to the markets where there was the greatest 

 demand for the products without duties other than 

 freight being imposed enroute, it was clear to the 

 southern planter that his interests lay hi indepen- 

 dence." 8 



The farm population had gradually increased its 

 influence through the years in the colonial assem- 

 blies, and these bodies became the centers of resist- 

 ance to the King. It should be observed, however, 

 that the small farmers and great planters for a time 

 represented an intermediate position between the 

 Tories and the Whigs. For many years the great 

 mass of agricultural producers were antagonistic to 

 the Tories because of the privileges they enjoyed 

 and the belief that their allegiance to the Crown was 

 based on selfish interests. On the other hand, they 

 were not willing to align themselves with the Whigs 

 because of their militant attitude and the irresponsi- 

 bility of some of the leaders. But as tune went on 



* Beginnings of Agriculture in America, Chap. XXV, p. 300. 



