Liberty’s Voyage; Norwegian Americans’ quest for freedom

I am Lee Byberg from Willmar, the GOP candidate to represent District 7 in the November election for the U.S. House versus Representative Collin Peterson. Some 33 years ago while living in Norway as a teenager, I visited my friend Arne Norbo from the island of Finnoy outside of Stavanger. Today, Arne is working with others to complete a replica of perhaps the most fascinating sailing ship in the Norwegian and American relationship (www.restauration.systorvest.com/index.php/eng). The sloop named the “Restauration” is remembered as the Norwegian Mayflower as it crossed the Atlantic in 1825 and triggered the organized emigration to America. The vessel is scheduled to be christened this June 16th in Stavanger, 185 years after the journey.

I was privileged to celebrate the Norwegian Independence Day (May 17) with the people from the communities of Milan, Sunburg and Willmar. America and Norway continue to be connected as nations through their people and by America’s influence on Norway’s constitution. These nations hold the two oldest constitutions of the World. As we delve into the history of Restauration’s voyage, it should be noted that is began as a cry for freedom. Lars Larsson, one of the organizers behind the voyage, had been released after being held as a prisoner by the British for 7 ½ years on the prison ship Fyen.

After Admiral Nelson conquered Napoleon’s fleet by Trafalgar, the British forces began a process to pirate and take-over the Danish and Norwegian fleet, the next most powerful fleet in the world, to prevent Napoleon from seizing it. In this hostile takeover, Norwegian sailors were captured by the British and held in horrible conditions on prison ships. The goal was to force the sailors to enroll in the British fleet. Lars, with many others, refused, accepting death before surrender.

While imprisoned, Lars and others discovered a 150 year old book which would change their lives and link the history of our nations. The book titled “the Apologist” was written by the English Quaker Robert Barclay. The essence of the book proclaimed that all humans have equal value, that it is not control or might, but the inner light that gives ultimate value. All beings are valued equally by the Creator; God does not favor King over beggar. This message brought insight and liberation to the minds of Lars and many of the other imprisoned sailors.

After being released from the prison ship in 1814, many of the sailors returned to Norway with new clarity and faith that all men are of equal value. This new faith was not accepted by the governing officials and the State Church in Norway. Fleeing persecution and oppression in Norway, Lars Larsson and two other imprisoned sailors, collaborated with others to begin a five year process to depart from Norway and head to America. They sold all belongings, purchased the sloop Restauration and set sail for America on July 4th of 1825.

Five families totaling 50 people started the journey. They experienced much hardship as they sailed from Norway to England, to the Atlantic Island Madeira, across to the Caribbean and then up to New York. The voyage started in Stavanger and ended 3 ½ months later on the 9th of October. The group added one person, a little girl, born in the midst of a storm. Arriving in New York, the difficulties continued as authorities confiscated the ship, imprisoned the captain and fined him $3,150 for having too many people in a small boat (the Restauration estimated at 53 feet (16m) was a small vessel built for coastal voyages and was perhaps the smallest vessel that crossed the Atlantic with immigrants from Europe).

Lars did not give up; he had been in worse trouble before, and he wrote President John Quincy Adams for assistance. The President ordered immediate release of all prisoners and the ship. President J.Q. Adams concluded that this is not how we welcome brave immigrants seeking liberty in America. This history has been collected and retold by the Norwegian authors Anne Elisabeth Skogen and Sylvelin Vatle.

Over the next hundred years, about 1 million Norwegians, 2/3 of the original population, departed for America. America today has more Norwegians than Norway. They came for freedom and economic opportunities. My friend Arne summarized for me: “Who are we? Are we Norwegians? Yes, 100%. Are we Americans? Definitely 100%, and even more.”

In my Campaign for Congress, I use the theme that “We are all Twice Americans.” First by right, second by choice. As America has accumulated a national debt of $13 trillion (robbing future generations), this is our time to recommit to the American idea of fiscal responsibility and free enterprise. Thus we choose to become Twice Americans. All elected officials are replaceable, but America cannot be replaced. This is the time to offer District 7 my candidacy as a proven business leader that will champion the American spirit. I will honor both past and future generations with ideas and policies anchored on sound economic principles. I ask for support in November from Republicans, Democrats and Independents voters. We are all Americans and it’s time to unite behind a conservative plan that fits America’s DNA.