Nicholas Van Dyke
Nicholas Van Dyke was an early critic of British oppression and went on to be a leader for the State of Delaware in its formative years.
Nicholas Van Dyke
Nicholas Van Dyke was a young lawyer in Delaware when trouble began with Britain. He began his public service as a volunteer for the Boston Relief Committee.
Boston Relief Committees popped up in most of the colonies after the Port Act. One of the Intolerable Acts, the Port Act closed Boston to incoming and outgoing cargo ships.
The Relief Committees were tasked with collecting and distributing necessary supplies to the people of Boston. One of the reasons the Continental Congress was called together was to help organize these committees.
Relief
Through his time working with the Boston Relief Committee Van Dyke earned respect for his public service and commitment against British oppression.
Delaware would send Van Dyke to the Continental Congress. He would remain there for five years, most of the Revolutionary War. While serving in the Continental Congress, Van Dyke signed the Articles of Confederation on behalf of Delaware.
Governor
Nicholas Van Dyke would return to Delaware and be elected President (Governor) of the State. He held the position for three years, during which time the American Revolution officially ended.
As President, Van Dyke’s most notable contribution was to implement a plan for Delaware to pay off its war debts.
At the beginning of the George Washington Administration, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton sponsored the Funding Act of 1790. This Act led the federal government to assume the States’ debts.
Because of Nicholas Van Dyke’s efforts, when the Funding Act went into effect Delaware owed the least amount of any State (well, tied with Rhode Island) at $200,000.
Nicholas Van Dyke does not have much reading but these books are related to events in his life.
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