Variety Cryptic Crossword: Independence Day

Crossword: Independence Day by Hayley Gold and Roger Wolff
I solve a variety cryptic crossword with help from the live chat on Twitch.
Instructions:
One word from each clue is declaring its
independence and does not contribute to
the wordplay or definition. Taking “The
Fourth” letter from these independent
words (2,9,2,3,9,2,3,4’,6) will tell you how
colonists can make it from 9-Down to
17-Down.