Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-07-29


therefore, a reconciliation and re. union
with the parent state were practice BILE
AS they would have been by repeal
OF the obnoxious laws, and q renuncia,
ton of the claim on which they were
enacted--it was manifest that no foreign
nation would openly and efficiently as.
sist US in the war. such, however, was
the state of the public mind, in some
large portions of the Union, that the
boldeot leaders in the revolution found
it necessary patientiyto wait the pro.
gress Of events, and for such change
in public sentiment a. would render ad-
missibls the proposition for declaring
the Thirteen United Colonies to be Free
and Independent States. The time at
length arrived when the measure ap.
peared feasible. Accordingly on the
9Th Of June l776; Certain Reso!u.
lions respecting independently were
moved and seconded in Congress, by
what members the Journals do not men,
ton. DR.. Ramsay, however, in his
History of the American Revolution,
tells US, that "the motion for declaring
the colonies free and independent was
first made in Congress by Richard Hen
ry Lee. ofVirginla'' The Doctor adds,
that The was warranted in making this
motion, by the particular instructions
of his immediate constituents, and also
by the general voice of the people of all
the States" The name of the dele
gate who seconded the motion 10 not
given; but the una gnitude of the colony
and other circumstances, render it pro-
bable that it was citizen of Nassachu
sets, then the second Of the colonies in
population, as Virginia was the first
Bot, however this may be, it was an en-
inent citizen of the former, who, in the
subsequent discussion, stood forwards
the prominent champion for the great
act of declaring the colonies indepen-
dent. refer to the still living and
venerable John Adams. Without minds
like his, discerning, bold and fesrlesst to
take the lead, no revolution, however
salutary, and however necessary to pre-.
serve or recover the liberties OF a PEG.
pie, would ever be accomplished.
On the 10th of June, Congress, in a
committee of the whole, agreed to a re.
solution, that the United States were,
and Of right ought to be, Free and lnde-
pendent States; but postponed tbs con.
sideration thereof to the first day ofJu-
ly. In the meanwhile, that NO time
nigh. be lost, they agreed to appoint a
to prepare declaration to
the effect of that resolution. And on
the next day they chose ommittee Of
five. The .uemters chosen were Mr..
Mr. John Adams, DR.. Frank.
lin, MIR. Sherman, and Mr.. r. Livings-
ton. On the 2Sth of June, this coumit-
tee brought in draught of a declara-
ton. On fhs FIRST, second and third OF
July, tbs draught was examined, dis
cusseS and amended and on the fourth;
being further considered, was agreed
to; and on the same day publicly pro-
claimed IN Philadelphia, where Con-
gresS tDen heI0 It's sessions.
II is above year since it occurred
to me, that the accuracy OF common re.
port, and even q minute detail Of facts,
respecting the Declaration Of indepen.
dence, So far as at this late period at.
sjhsble, ought to be asce, tanned and
given in the most authentic FORM
With this view, on the second OF Au-
gust, in the last year, addressed let
ter t. President Adams, in which Ire
that, "as no act OF the Con.
gress the Thirteen United Colonies
was SO distinguished as that by which
their independence Of Great Britain
was declared, the most partic ular histo-
ry OF that transaction would probably
be sought for, not merely as an inter
esting curiosity, but to do substantial
Justice to the abilities and energy of the
leaders in that great measure" And
after reciting such infor nation on the
subject as had come to my knowledge,
added have thought it desirable
that the facts in this case should be as
certaiued. You alone can give full
statement of them--to be communica-
ted to whom you think proper"
On the 9th of August, Mr. Adams
most obligingly favored NE with an
answer, giving various interesting de-
tails. And after abiding to the pos
icy of that period, which gave to the
Dominion (the name by which
Virginia was often desigaated) the lead
IN great public acts Ito which policy
had ascribed the placing of Mr.. Jeffer-
SON much the youngest person-at
the head ofthat distinguished commit
teey Mr.. Adams says, "Mr. Jefferson
came into Congress in June l775, and
brought with him q reputation for lite
ture, science, and happy talent at com
position. Writings of his were handed