Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-08-08
JOHN ROBINSON, t.. 81
Il1on, lie Baltimo+e Ga.et.e, Jyly csJ

lion, TIE Balfinorc Gazette, Jyly Col
~ was slated about two weeks ago, in New
York paper, that Charles Carroll of CarroIton did
not sign the Declaration of Independence on the
fourth of July, lT76, the day on which it rs sups
posed 10 have been signed by the other members
oil Congress, nor until more than twenty days af-
forwards; the reason given for this delay is tina,
| Mr.. Carroll vas absent mission to the Ca
ihohes of Lowe Canada, to endeavor to induce
them to Join the thirteen United Colonies. The
Worcester Agis states these circumstances with
some additional ones, in article which we copy
to-day, and as every fact relating to that impor-
tant transaction is interesting TO she people OF the
United States, we add some extracts from the
Journals OF Congress, which prove that the state
ment as 10 Dir. Carroll is incorrect
| friend has obligingy handed us the second
volume of The Journals Of Congress, containing the
proceedings from January LIST, 1875, to January
LIST, l777, published in IT'S. On examining
| these proceedings, we find. that on the 18th Te-
bruary, DIR. benjamin franklin, Mr.. S. Chase
and Mr.. q. Carroll OF Carrollton were APPOINTED
- Committee to repair 10 Canada, there TO pur-
sue such Instructions as shall be given them by
Congress" 1t was also ' resolved, that Mr.
Carroll be requested TO accompany the Committee
10 canada, TO assist them in such matters as they
shall think useful" A commission was accord
ingly issued to them, with instructions, both Of
which are in full on the Journal
Among the proceedings OF the eleventh OF
June, we tind the following entry on the Journal
% MIR. Chase, and Mr.. Carroll of Carrollton.
two OF the Commissioners, being arrived from Ca
nada attended and gave account of their pro.
ceedlnSs, and the stale Of the army in that eoun-
Try"
Although Dr. Frankn's name is no, mentioned
IN tire above extract, yet it appears from another
entry on the proceedings of the 9TH June, that he,
| as well as Tie other Commissioners, had signed
drausht IN Canada, which was ordered by Con-
gress to be paid.
II Is therefore evident from the Journal of Con-
Sess' that the reason given FOR the supposed delay
OF Dir. Carroll in signing the declaration of indie
pendence IS not founded on fact, as Mr.. Carroll
had returned from Canada more than twenty DAYS
before the i;h Of July, I776.
On tine tirst OF July tine resolution from the con
ventlon OF Maryland, passed by that body on the
Zoth OF June, resembling former resolution and
authorizing &c the deputies of said colony, or any
lhree or more OF them to concur with the other
United Colonies or majority Of them in declaring
Inc United Colonies free and independent, &c'
was read in Congress the second of July the
committee OF the whole reported the resolution. Of
independence, and on the fourth the declaration
was adopted. Alter the declaration are the fol- !
lowing words in the Journal" The foregoiae |
declaration was by order Of Congress engrossesl
and signed by the following members, &c.'' The
names OF Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas
'1ohe anu NhaTleF carroll OF CarToltOn, appeared /
among those WHICH signed. 1t will be noticed !
that " three or more Of the deputies of MARYLAND
only, were authorized to concur, &c Had two of
the commissioners, Chase and Carroll, been absent
the remaining two could rot have assented and Of |
course could not have affixed their names on ibe
Atb. The conclusion is that both Carroll and
Chose were present, one Of them must have been.
and as the Canada Mission alone is stated % have
detained them, as we have shewn that thew re1uro-
ed from that mission Oh the llth of June, the infe
renee TO be drawn from the whole is thar 10th
wete present.
Bat it is urged that the declaration was not
signed at al on the Fourth In the Journal Of
Congress, however, and as part of The proceed
ing OF that day the signatures OF the members are
stated TO have been affixed Had this not been |
The case, tie signing would have been mentioned
IN t'e proceedings Of the day on which il actually
took place Besides, we find that the names of the
members who really did not sgn are not upon Lhe
list contained in the Journal OF the fourth a. that
% hobsJi X. Livingston and Thomas M'Ksan,
and some OTHERS as may be seen by comparing the
lac smile Of the declaration with the last above
mentioned.
We hope that this comparison Of dates will for
ever set The matter at rest We can readily ae- 1
count Tor the Orator in New York having rnade 4
the assertion, In order TO render the death of A
dams and Jefferson moro striking than it was, Gfl
such could have been done0 and the assertion 4
once made, Of course il had to be supported. 49, I
We repeat our hopes that the above explanation
will be satisfactory, and that no further atlennt
Wili be made 10 prove that younger OF latter |
wreath adorns the brow OF Mr.. Carroll than those
Which hang shove the tonlbs Of Adams and IefFcr-
son