The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-10
DRAFT OF THE DECLARATION OF NDEPEND-
ENCE.

In his autobiography John Adams gives the
following account of the circumstances when leo
to the selection of Jefferson to draw the Declara-
tion of independence
The Committee of independence were Thomas
Jefferson, John Adams, Benz amin Franklin,
Roger Sherman, and Robert k. Livingston. MT
Jefferson had been now about year MEMBER
of Congress, but had attended his duty In the
House very small part Of the time, ana when
there had never spoken in public during the
whole time sat with him in Congress, | never
heard him utter three sentences together.
1t will naturally be inquired how it happen
ed that he was appointed on a committee OF such
importance There were more reasons than one
Mr.. Jefferson had the reputation OF mastery
pen ; he had been chosen Delegate IN Virginia
in consequence of very handsome public paper
which he had written for the House Of Burgesses
which had given him the character of fne wri-
ter. Another reason was that Mr.. Richard
Henry Lee was not beloved by the most OF his
colleagues from Virginia, and MIR. Jefferson was
set up to rival and supplant him. This could De
done only by the pen, for Mr.. Jefferson could
stand no competition with him, or any one else,
in eocution and public dsp~ie.
Here will interrupt the narration for mo-
ment, to observe that from all have read of the
history Of Greece and Rome, England and
France and all have observed at home and
abroad, eoquence in public assemblies is not the
surest road to fame preferment at least, unless
it be used with caution, very rarely, and with
great reserve. The examples of Washington
Franklin and Jefferson are enough to show that
silence and reserve in public are more efhcacous
than augmentation or oratory public speak
er who inserts himself or is urged by others, into
the conduct of affairs by daily exertions to justi-
fly bis measures, and answer the objections Of OPP
mi liar witt
public, and unavoidably makes himself enemies.
Few persons can bear TO be outdone in reason
ing, or defamation or wit or sarcasm or repartee,
or satire, and all these things are very apt to
grow out Of public debate la this way, In
course OF years. a nation becomes full OF a man
enemies, or at least of such as have been CALLED
in some controversy, and take a secret pleasure
in assisting to humble and mortfy him. So much
for this depression. We will now return to our
memoirs.
The committee had several meetings, in which
were proposed the articles of which the Declare
ton was to consist and minutes made Of them
The committee then appointed Mr.. Jefferson and
me to draw them up in form, and clothe them in
a proper dress. The subcommittee met and con-
sidered the minutes, making such observations
on them as then occurred, when Mr.. Jefferson
desired me to take them to my lodging and make
the draught. This ! declined, and gave several
reasons for declining
/. That he was Virginisn, and a Massachu-
settensian. 2. That he was Southern man. and
| a Northern one g. That had been so obnox-
ious for my early and constant zeal in promoting
the measure, that every draft of mine would un-
dergo more severe scrutiny and criticism in
Congress than one Of his composition A. And
lastly, and that would be reason enough if there
were no other, had great opinion ofthe elegance
Of his pen, and none at all of my own. | there
fore insisted that no hesitation should be made
on his part. He accordingly took the minutes,
and in day or two produced to me his draft.
Whether made or suggested any correction,
remember not. The report was made to the COM
mittee of five, by them examined, but whether
altered or corrected in anything | cannot recol-
lect. But, in substance at least it reported
to Congress, where, after severe criticism, and
striking out several of the most oratorical para
graphs, it was adopted on the fourth of July,
l776, and published to the world.