And did they obey?

No; the people of the colonies consulted with each other what was to be done, and at length took up arms, raised such armies as they could, and though they had few soldiers, no experienced officers, and but little money, they waged war against the whole power of Great Britain, and having (with the aid of France) forced two British armies to lay down their arms and surrender themselves prisoners, culminated in the compelling of Great Britain to acknowledge their independence.