The answer to your problem is 21 years of age
The main reason why the US joined the war was because multiple attack on passenger and merchant ships with submarine attacks .The final straw was when the RMS Lusitania by a German u-boat going to Liverpool England .
I think the Saddlers died by the plague. I'm not sure if in wrong you can read this to find out http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1665/09/03/
Answer:
The basis for the US constitution was that we didn't want taxes but its the only reason the US is here.
The tensions were between Great Britain and America because of trade issues. And the English claimed the right to search American vessels, seize anyone suspected of being a British subject and force them into the British military.