Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-17

1IOm WiilSI lilo POhNF AaS
governed him would appear. shall, how
ever, not con6ne myself to this course; but
anticipate some facts and conclusions, as
circumstances may direct.
Mr.. Jefrerson's first claim to distinction
seems to have been founded on the DecLa-
ration Of Independence, of which he is re-
puted to be the writer. So much applause,
indeed, has been heaped upon him for his
agency in that State Paper, that more me-
Tit could hardly have been ascribed to him,
If, Instead of 1vriting declaration, he had
been the author of the independence, of the
United States. The history of that decla-
ration will show how slender is his claim to
distinction for that performance.
The Journals of Congress present to US
the following facts -
On the 9TH of June, 1875, " certain re-
solutions respecting the independently were
moved" They were considered the next
day; aud again on Monday the 10Th. The
first resolution was in these words: "That
these United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent States
that they are absolved from all allegiance to
the British Crown; and that all political
connection between them and the state OF
Great Britainis, and ought to be totally dis.
solved" The further consideration OF
this resolution was postponed to the first
day of July. But that no time might be
lost, in case the Congress should then agree
to the resolution, it was nov resolved that
a committee should be appointed to prepare
a declaration to the effect of that first reso-
LUTON. And on the nth of June the sps
pointment was made. The members cho.
sen were Mr.. Jefferson, Mr. John Adams,
Mr.. Franklin, Mr.. Sherman, and Mr..
Robert r. Livingston, And Mr.. Jeder.
son being the first on the list OF the com.
mittee, was of course the chairman. A
particular policy governed the choice. In
the early period of our revolution, it was
deemed expedient, in very importantques-
tions. tina. Virginia should take the lead.
Virginia was then the largest and most pc.
pulous of the Colonies. Perhaps, too, it
was expected that her going before, would
powerfully iufasncc her neighbours to fol
low in her track. There might be other
reasons. Such, however, was the fact
as | WAS once assured by the late YIr. So.
muel Adams Chen member from Massa.
chuseus) with signif :ance Of countenance
in mak,ag the remark which distinguished
that willy politician. It was, then, in pur.
suanee of this policy, when the minds OF the
members OF Congress, generally, were by
siIe acts@i state osthings, and some previ-
Gus proceedings, prepared for the indepen'
deace of the Colonies, that Richard Henry
Lee, of Virginia, moved the resolutions
respecting lndepend-ncy :" and by the
like concert Gas have understood) John
Adams of Massachusetts seconded them
MIR. Lee would, almost of course, have
been the chairman Of the committee, had
not the dangerous sickness of some of his
family called him home. Ia his absence,
the choice fell on his colleague, Mr.. Jefer'
son.
1t may seem too obvious TO remark, that
as IN ordinary cases, so especially on this
great question, the committee met, con.
tered and freely communicated their ideas
some OF them Gas | have been informed,
pn!ting their thoughts on paper. Il hus far
n'shed with thc ideas and views of the
members Of the committee, Mr.. Jefferson
was charged with preparing drsught Of
the declaration, And on the 2Sih Of June
the committee reported draught to con.
gress. On the LIST of July it was taken in
to consideration, in connection with the
resolution above recited. July I'd, the re.
solution was agreed to. and the declaration
farther considered. On the Sd, congress
continued the consideration of the decla-
ration; and on the 4th Of July agreed to a
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; after
striking out about one third of the whole,
as draughted by Mr.. Jefferson, and max
lngvarlous amendments, and among others,
introducing, with solemnity demanded
by the occasion, their appeal to the SUI
preme Indoe Of The wnrld Cor The rsct;tnd.