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Bassett's legal and charitable activities led naturally to politics. In [[1774]] he was elected by the voters of [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent County]] to serve as a member of its Boston Relief Committee. In this role Bassett helped to collect contributions for those suffering hardship as a result of the [[Coercive Acts]], a series of political and economic measures that [[Parliament]] had enacted to reassert its control over the colonies, but which the colonists interpreted as a blow to their liberties. The committee brought Bassett into close working relationship with the leaders of the local Patriot movement: [[Caesar Rodney]] (who would later sign the [[Declaration of Independence]]), his brother [[Thomas Rodney|Thomas]], and [[John Haslet (1727-1777)|John Haslet]], the future commander of the [[1st Delaware Regiment]]. This association led to further political responsibilities during the Revolution, when Bassett represented the citizens of his county in a variety of offices. He participated in the convention that drafted Delaware's constitution and served three terms in the state senate and one in the lower house of the [[state legislature]]. As a member of both the Delaware and Kent County Councils of Safety, which functioned as the executive arms of those political bodies, Bassett also had the opportunity to help manage the day-to-day fortunes of his state during the crucial years of the Revolution.
==The soldier==
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