Thus empowered, Edward Rutledge calls to end the debate and vote on independence, knowing it is likely to fail. All seems lost for independence until three men stumble into the chamber, led by the Reverend Jonathan Witherspoon - the new delegation from New Jersey. Witherspoon first approaches Franklin, relaying a message that his son, the Royal Governor, has been taken prisoner and moved to Connecticut, as a prisoner of war. To Witherspoon's surprise, Franklin reacts with joy to the news, once he learns that his son was taken unharmed. Witherspoon's delegation has come with explicit orders - to vote for independence. Adams, now seeing a path to victory, pushes to proceed with the vote, since ties are broken by Hancock in his duties as President of the Congress, and since Hancock is himself from Massachusetts and a firm believer in independence, will break the tie in the favor of independence. Seeing his plan now in jeopardy, Dickinson makes another proposal - to make the vote for independence carry only by unanimous vote. This must be voted upon by the Congress, and the vote is a predictable tie, but to Adams' surprise, Hancock breaks the tie in favor of unanimity. Hancock explains his reasoning - any colony that does not vote in favor of independence will no doubt be pressed to fight the other colonies by the King's command, and thus cause not just a revolution but a civil war. 