The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-05-17
From roincroy's Lives Of the Signer; ofthe Dec
laration of Independence.
THCMAS M'KEAN.
CConciuded from our last. J

| Mr. M Eean was particularly active and
useful in procuring the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, in 1876: nevertheless, although
his name is subscribed to the original instru-
ment deposited in the Office of the Secretary
of State, he does not appear as a subscriber
10 the copy published in the Journals OF Con-
gress. Alexander ]. Dallas, Esq. in the
course of the republication of the laws of
Pennsylvania, wishing to compile an accu-
rate copy of the Declaration of lndepen-
dence, addressed letter, on the nineteenth
of September, 1896, to chief justice M'Kean,
requesting to know why such variance ex-
listed. The answer to this inquiry is valu-
able historical record:
"Modesty should not rob any man of his
lust honour, when by that honour his mode
esty cannot be offended. My name is not
in the printed journals of Congress, as par
ty to the Declaration of Independence, and
i this. like an error in the first concotion. has
vtiated most Of the subsequent publications,
and vet the fact is, that was then mem
\ ber of Congress, for the state of Delaware,
vas personally present in Congress. and vot-
ed in favor Of Independence the Fourth
| Of July, 1776, and signed the Declaration aft
ter it had been engrossed on parchment,
where my name, in my own hand writlne,
still appears" Henry Wisner, ofthe state OF
n. York, was also in Congress, and voted
for Independence.
In the year l776, Delaware was repre-
scnted in Congress by Caesar A. Rodney,
George Read, and Thomas MKean. Mr..
Rodney was net present when the question
Of independence was put in Committee OF
the Whole, on the first of July Mr.. M'Kean
voted for, and Mr.. Read against it. Della
ware was thus divided. When the presi-
dent resumed the chair. the chairman Of tie
committee of the whole made his report,
which was not acted upon until Thursday
the Fourth Of July. Every State, excepting
PENNSYLVANIA and Delaware, had voted in
favor of the measure, but it was matter of
great Importance to procure an unanimous
voice. Mr.. NJ kean, therefore, without de-
lay, despatched an express, at his private
) expense, for Mr.. Rodney. who was then in
; Delaware. That gentleman FASTENED to
philadelphia, and was met at the door OF the
state house, in his boots and spurs, by Mr..
NI'Kean, as the members were assembling
on the morning Of the fourth. After friend-
" salutation, b"t without exchanging word
on the subject o! independence, they entered
the hall together and took their seats
. They we're among the latest in attendance;
the proceedings Immediately commenced,
and, after few minutes, the great question
was put. w Een tHe NolS oi leiaWdfC "ao
: called, Mr.. Rodney rose, and briefly express
, ing his conviction that the welfare OF his
country demanded the declaration, voted
with Mr. M'kean, and secured the voice OF
: Delaware. Two of the members OF TIC
: PENNSYLVANIA delegation, adverse to- the
measure being absent, that state also united
$ in the vote, by aiority OF one. by these
! means, the Declaration OF Independence be-
: came the unanimous act OF the thirteen
!, States.
! Finding that he had been elected mem
i h4r of the convention for framing il constitn
!. tinn for the State Of Delaware, he, in two
: days departed for Dover, which he reached
S IN one day. Immediately ON his arrival. at
{ ter fatieuing ride, a committee OF gentle
: men waited on him, and requested that ht
! would prepare constitution for the fnture
0 Government of the State.--To this he con
sented. He etired to his room IN the tav
!; ern, sat up all the night, and having pre-
s pared it without a book, or any assistance
e whatever, presented it, 1T ten O'Clock mex
d morning, to the house, when it was unanim
: ously adopted.
IS In the year 1777, Mr.. M'kean acted i
a the double capacity of president OF the STATE
h Of Delaware, and chief justice of Pennsys
n vania II have had" he remarks III let
ter II John idans, dated November eighth
Ir7e, "my tull share of the anxieties, care
/ and troubles. of the present war. FOR som
time was Obliged 70 a's as Presidens G