In April of 1775, General Thomas Gage, as the royal governor of
Massachusetts, ordered his troops to seize the American
colonists' military stores at Concord.

But on the way, the British force of 700 men was met on Lexington
Green by 77 local minutemen who had been forewarned of the raid
( via Paul Revere and others ) and as the British went on to
Concord they were attacked by 400 American patriots. The British retreat to
Boston was hampered by Americans firing on them from secure positions.

The new members of the Continental Congress who met in
May of 1775 were Benjamin Franklin ( who already left
Philadelphia in March fearing the outbreak of war ),
Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock and John Jay.

The Congress appointed George Washington as commander in
chief of the American army. It also acted as the provisional
government of the 13 States, issuing and borrowing money,
establishing a postal service ( with Benjamin Franklin as the first
Postmaster ) and creating a navy.

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of these great events,
presented here is a uniquely chosen check featuring a tax paid revenue
depicting none other than Benjamin Franklin in stunning orange - yellow color.
This check is from The Grocers & Producers Bank
of another cradle of liberty, Providence.

*Providence played an important role in the American Revolution;
it had its own "Tea Party," ( where tea was burned in protest against taxation ),
both American and French troops were quartered at Brown University
and at The Old State House was where the
Rhode Island Independence Act was signed.