The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-08-15
[ From the Philadelphia North American. I

| From the Philadelphia North American. I
"Reminiscences Of l776.-The recent an.
nIversary celebration reminds US of an Incl.
dent OF our revolutionary history worthy of
a place among the cherished recollectons
OF l776. 1t was related to US by veteran,
some years since gathered to bis fathers,
and SO far as we know has never been pub.
lished.
1t is we'll known that there existed a
great diversity of opinion among the mem.
bers OF the revolutionary Congress as to a
declaration Of independence OF Great Bri.
tam. Some we're opposed altogether TO
separation from the mother country, al.
though not less patriotic or less resoute
than others 10 their opposition TO her at.
tempts against the rights of the colonies
Others thought that such a declaration
would be premature, and that the cause
would be injured by SO early an announce
ment. These we're points of difference 10
be expected, yet on all hands consistent
with unauesiloned aud paramount devotion
10 the great cause of American liberty
The greater number, however, we're deci.
dedIy IN favor of an immediate proclama.
ton 10 the world of the position which this
republic would thenceforth occupy among
the nations. Still il was a measure not 10
be carried by mere majority else the act,
IN the view alike of friends and enemies.
would fail Of the decisive character which il
was so greatly desirable ii should bear.
A few weeks previous 10 the date Of the
important event, Samuel and John Adams
were walking IN the State house yard, then
often trod with anxious steps, BY men who
telt that they acted for generations to come,
as we'll as tor their own, and while debe.
rating upon the course most likely to secure
unanImIty, they agreed upon plan which
would accomplish the end SC far as an I'm.
preston upon the public at home and abroad
was concerned. After consultation with
some OF the members, who were apprised of
the bearing of the proposition, resolution
was introduced BY MIR. S Adams, BY which
II vas provided that acts of Congress of an
important pablo character and designed to
be promulgated to the world 10 the shape
OF documents, should receive the signature
o. all the members, thus giving TO each
great measure the weight OF the whole bo-
dy, although not having received full con.
currence OF votes, 10 the Congressional
adoption. This resolution was embraced
without objection; and if the signatures
IN such cases were understood as official.
and, without any declaration OF private opln.
On as 10 their faithful execution, the most
severe morallst can find nothing in it 10
To this preliminary arrange.
nent are we indebted for the universal
'Iedglng Of lives, fortunes and sacred hon.
n by the entire delegation.
The above facts, if correctly stated land
sc have been informed that John Adams
,aTe his testlmeney 20 their reality, short
inc before his death, wiIexplan the con.
ldent aud express contradictions of the
,enuineness of the Declaration Of Indepen.
ence, which were made in London when
ne act was first announced 10 that city,
t was publicly asserted at Lloyd's Coffee
louise, on the authority of letters from
members Of Congress, that many Of The lat
nr were averse to the idea of separation,
nd determined not to yield their sancton
0 such proposition.