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INDEPENDEN by Jerry Miller he morning after Richard Henry would vote against it. The majority Lee’s motion that the Colonies of the individual delegates from Tshould become “free States” was those six colonies either opposed This French view of how the Americans responded made to the Second Continental independence or believed it should to the reading of the Congress, the debate on independ- be declared later, rather than sooner. Declaration in ence began. It lasted for two days Even the strongest supporters City shows colonists and was so bitter at times that several of independence realized that the destroying a statue of delegates threatened to leave. King George III. Congress needed to be more solidly On June 9, 1776, it became clear united before taking such a big — that an immediate vote would favor and dangerous — step. So, the weary independence, but by the narrowest delegates postponed voting until of margins. Seven colonies would July 1 in the hope that by then they vote for freedom from Britain; six might all agree.

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ticut, of Massachu- “The second day of July, setts, and of 1776, will be the most . This began memorable epoch in the by deciding what points their docu- history of America. I am apt ment needed to include. But who to believe that it will be should write it? It would not be Livingston, as he was so opposed celebrated by succeeding to independence that he returned generations as the great home to New York. Sherman was not a skilled writer, and Franklin, anniversary festival.... America’s greatest writer and most It ought to be solemnized experienced diplomat, was so ill he spent most of June in bed. with pomp and parade, Fortunately, the committee in- with shows, games, sports, cluded two other outstanding writ- guns, , bonfires, and ers — Adams and Jefferson. It was determined that the fiery Adams illuminations, from one would continue to lead the fight for end of this continent to independence on the congressional floor, while the quiet and shy the other, from this time Jefferson would pen the work. forward forevermore.” Jefferson spent two days writing — John Adams in a letter to his wife, and rewriting the declaration Abigail, dated July 3, 1776 before showing it to the committee. Sherman liked the draft and appar- ently made no suggestions. Adams admired it, but made a few changes. Franklin praised it and made more changes. Finally, the declaration was ready to be presented to the Congress on June 28. On the morning of July 1, NCE! a thunderstorm was brewing as the Independence did take one step delegates prepared to vote on Lee’s forward that day in June, though. Resolution. Since early June, Ameri- By a one-vote majority, the Con- can opinion had shifted rapidly gress agreed to choose a committee toward independence. Even so, the to write a declaration of independ- debate promised to be bitter, with John Adams was a highly respected lawyer from ence. The document could then be the outcome still not assured. . His pro- ready for immediate publication of independence leadership in the and shipment throughout the spoke first. He presented reason Second Colonies if Lee’s resolution passed after reason why declaring inde- led Thomas Jefferson to call in July. The committee’s members pendence at that time would bring him “the colossus of independ- were of Pennsyl- disaster. To do so, Dickinson said, ence.” Adams served as a diplo- mat, as well as America’s first vania, Robert R. Livingston of New would be to “brave the storm in vice president and its second York, of Connec- a skiff made of paper.” president. 13 Cobb 1005 pp c2-49.rev 7/26/05 12:18 PM Page 14

Roger Sherman of began life as a poor shoemaker. He taught himself mathematics and law and became a wealthy merchant and politician. He later helped write the U.S. Constitution.

Abstained means held back from doing something.

Dickinson spoke so impres- but they had hoped to prove their sively that when he finished, the resolve to Great Britain and the room fell silent. The only sound world with a unanimous vote. was that of the raging storm out- of side. Then, John Adams rose made a motion that the voting wait to speak. For two hours, while until the next day. Perhaps, he said, thunder roared and lightning his colony would change its vote. flashed, Adams argued for By the morning of July 2, South independence. He spoke, said Carolina’s delegates had agreed to Jefferson, “with a power...that vote with the majority. Dickinson moved us from our seats.” and , also of Pennsyl- The debate continued long into vania, stayed home. Their absence Robert R. Livingston, a wealthy the evening. At last, a preliminary allowed Pennsylvania’s vote to New York landowner, opposed vote was taken. Nine colonies become in favor of independence. independence but remained a favored independence. Pennsyl- ’s third delegate, Caesar patriot. He later was a strong vania and South Carolina voted Rodney, arrived at the last moment supporter of the Constitution. In 1801–1803, as minister to against it; New York abstained. soaked in mud — he had ridden all France, Livingston negotiated Delaware had only two delegates night through the storm to cast his the on present, and they could not agree. vote for independence. New York still behalf of President Thomas Those who supported inde- abstained, but that made the vote 12 Jefferson. pendence had a definite majority, in favor, none opposed.

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There was still work to be done, and by the next morning, however. The next day, more than broadside copies of the official 50 delegates took up the task of con- Declaration were on their way sidering the actual wording of the to each colony and to General Declaration of Independence. They George with his eventually deleted one-fourth of army in New York. As the news Jefferson’s original and changed or spread, public readings of the added many words and phrases. It Declaration of Independence was not until July 4 that Congress took place in military camps, adopted the final version. on town squares, and all over The completed document was the Colonies. There were great rushed to ’s print shop, celebrations everywhere.

OPPOSITE: The Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin of Pennsyl- a Committee of Five vania was the oldest member of to put their reasons the Congress at age 70 in 1776. for independence in Because of his scientific discov- writing, but most of eries, inventions, and writings, the work was done he was already world famous. by Thomas Jefferson, Eleven years later, he became with some input from the oldest delegate to the Benjamin Franklin Constitutional Convention. and John Adams. LEFT: Jefferson’s A broadside is a edits during the large sheet of paper with print course of debate are on one side. clearly marked on his “fair copy” of the Declaration of Independence. From this edited version, the final text was printed by John Dunlap. The Dunlap broadsides were the first printed versions of the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson was the second youngest member of the Continental Congress at 33. He spent most of the War years as and served as America’s first secretary of state and its third president.

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Before telephones, cell phones, and e-mails, the best way to get information out to the people in 1776 was through newspapers. The July 10, 1776, edition of The provides the text of the Declaration.

The signing of the Declaration took place on August 2, after it had been copied onto a single large sheet of parchment. As the delegates signed the document, some became unusually solemn; others made nervous jokes. There was good reason for them to be uneasy. Today, we know how history turned out, but these men risked every- thing for an uncertain future. Their sig- natures on the Declaration of Independ- ence provided undeniable proof of their treason to Great Britain — an act for which they could be hanged. k

Jerry Miller is a former teacher. He writes about history for COBBLESTONE, APPLESEEDS, and other magazines.

Parchment is the skin of a sheep or a goat that is turned into material on which something can be written or painted. Treason is the betrayal of one’s country by waging war against it.

The delegates to the Second Continental Congress met behind closed doors in Pennsylvania’s State House (today known as ).

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