Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-10-10
[From Ellott's New England History.l
The Adoption of the Declaration of Indc.
pendcncc.

pendcncc.
On the 8th Of June, l776 Richard Henry Lee
Of Virginia, acted upon the Instructions of his
constituents, and in clear, ringing voice, read
to the Congress the following resolution:
That these United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be- free and Independent States and
that all political connection between US and
Great Britain is and ought 10 be totally dissolv
ed
For a moment there was silence; then John
Adams of Massachusetts,, simply and mahfully
seconded the resolution ; but neither of their
names were entered on the Journals, lest they
should be hanged for treason. 1t was decided to
postpone its consideration TIL the first of July
and that Committee to prepare a Declaration
should be appointed June l9 y they were Tho
mas Jefferson Of Virginia, John Adams of Massa-
chusetts Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania
Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert r.
Livingston Of New York.
Jefferson was tall man with a mild counten-
ance his words in debate were few, but his
thoughts quick, clear and massive. They
impressed the mind of bis country. and have left
their mark on the history Of the age. lie was
then SO years old. well cultivated, and ready
writer. Richard Henry Lee was the most prom
nent and brilliant of the Virginia patriots but
he had enemies, and Jefferson was Eut forward by
them to act upon this important committee
Through life he continued to be among the fore
most thinkers and one Of the most prominent
actors in American affairs. He was a man of
whom Virginia was then justly proud, and one
whom the country has since acknowledged as
one Of Eer greatest men.
Adams was then Al years old, the son of
mechanic Of Braintree, Massachusetts,. He grad
uated at Harvard. and carly enlisted himself with
Samuel Adams and other leading patriots on the
side OF Liberty aganst Prerogatiye. He was a
successfui lawyer and bold aud able speaker
With iudeiatigalle industry and clear strong
mind. be became leading man in the Congress
and the Country. His manners were courteous
and though his temper was sharp, and his preju-
dices came to be bitter he lived and died full of
honors and respect.
Franklin is well known as one Of the Oldest and
wisest members Of the great Congress. He had
then arrived at the age Of seventy, and was emf
nent at home and abroad a statesman and
philosopher. Franklin had that happy tempcra-
nept, which enabled him TO live easily among the
high or low, the base or the noble, and to direct
all toward his own ends, which were mainly wor-
thy and true. He devoted himself to the materi-
al advancement Of men, confident that in that
lay the foundation Of virtue and Improvement :;
AID his maxims rarely rise above that worldly
wisdom easily appreciated by common minds
Ills benevolent face aud picturesque person, were
conspicuous in the halls OF Congress, where his
practical sagacity was always exercised 10 for
ward the cause OF humanity and Justice
Sherman was the representative man of ster-
ling class in New England shrewd, reliable aud
conscientious, where he stepped there he stood
Irm as rock. There are many such in New
England His counsels were judicious, and al
ways needed and though be moved slowly he
never faltered. lie was then fifty years old, and
in his prime.
Livingston of New York, was noted member
OF the Congress. and the man to face and over
come diiiculty-active, prompt and energetic,
he was always ready to stand forward and advO-
cate and sustain the cause which bis impulses and
his principles told him was right. Being the
owner Of large estates on the Hudson few men
personally had more at stake than he. But his
talents and money were at the service of his
cause and country. He was then thirty years
old and the youngest member of the Committee
of FIVE.
The form and principles of this State paper
were discussed by these five men, and then JEFF
ierson was requested to make draft of their
Declaration He was selected to do this rather
than Adams, for these reasons Jefferson was
Nirginian-he was southern man +; his draft
would not be sharply criticised for he had not
been an extreme advocate of independence; and
as Adams said had great opinion of the ell
egance Of bis pen, and not at all ofmy own He
therefore took the minutes and made the draft
which, with some alterations WAS adopted 1t
was polite in the New England men to put JEFF
ferson forward, for Massachusetts, had been so ac-
tive and prominent in Fastening the crisis, that
some Jealousy was felt lest her delegates should
En0nopoize too much attention.
Ihe draft prepared by Jefferson was submitted
TO the Committee, and was somewhat altered and
amended, mostly by the pen of Adams. One of
j Jefersons most pointed and remarkable positions
was the following charge upon the King.
And that this assemblage Of horrors might
want no fact Of distinguishing dye he is now ex-
citing those very people (the slaves to rise in
erms among US, and to purchase that liberty, of
which he has deprived them, by numbering the
people upon whom he obtruded them-thus pay
ing off former crimes committed against the LIB
ERTIEs of one people with crimes which he urged
them TO commit against the LIVES Of another
Such were the stern words Of a Virginian re-
spectiDg Slavery, when these Colonies were strug-
Cling for their own Liberties. Many other chang
es also we're made, both by the Committee Of five
and by the Committee of the Whole none of
which were very important.
On the 25th of June the Committee appeared
at the bar of the House, aud, through .her chair
man, Thomas Jefferson, presented their draft 1t
was read in profound silence and listened to with
intense interest. Through the first, second, and
third days of July it was discussed in Committee
OF the Whole, and each paragraph received assent
or alteration.
On the 4th of July-John Hancock, the Presi-
dent Of Congress in the Chair-Benjamn Uarri-
son, of Virginia, reported that the Committee of
the Whole had agreed upon Declaration which
they dssired him to present.