The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-07-30

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further says Of the Committee, intimating
that Jefferson's paper had not been read by
all the members. "We were all in haste.
Congress was impatient, and the instrument
was reported, as | believe, in Jefferson's
handwriting.
/ On the 28th Of June, the committee re.
ported the original declaration, which was
read for the. first time in Congress. On
the lst Of July, this declaration was again
read and discussed in committee of the
whole. II was carried Ia thecommittee by
vote OF the States; Pennsylvania and South
Carolina voting against it. John Adams
says, that in the discussion July lst, Dick
inson of Pennsylvania, opposed the dec!a-
ration, "in a speech Of great length.
de conducted the debate not only with great
Ingenuity and eloquence, but with equal po
liteness and candor, and was answered in
the same spirit"
Dickinson, brother Of Gen. Philmon
Dickinson, of New Jersey, an officer whom
Washington frequently mentions with hon
or, was a strong debater and sincere pat
riot, acknowledging the grievances com
planned Of but lacking that stern and hero
ic spirit that animated such men rs Adams.
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from an open rupture with Great Britain,
as certain to end not only in greater evils
to the country, but to individuals promi-
nent in the rebellion. In this feeling two
other representatives from Pennsylvania
shared. But Of this more in another place.
Dickinson's speech produced profound
impression, and this is not to be wondered
at when we consider the nature of the con
test which 1t was the object of that speech
to show. John Adams, one Of the most
fluent and powerful speakers, answered
Dickinson, and it cannot be too much re-.
gretted that not scrap OF that speech re-
mains, except perhaps the tradition out Of
which Mr. Webster made one Of his most
splendid paragraphs. 1t was on the LIST of
July that the newly elected delegates from
New Jersey, Of whom DR.. Witherspoou was
one, took their seats and voted a solid vote
for the declaration.
The next day, July I'd, the paper was
4 again read and subjected to severe pro-
cess, which sifted out some paragraphs.
Some were thought too disrespectful to-
wards the english people, some too hostile
condemnatory INDIRECTLY of the institution
of slavery, During this eliminating pro-
cess, Jefferson was greatly excited at times
showing his chagrin; which state of mind
Franklin greatly relieved by telling to Mr..
Jefferson the criticism made on the sign
which halter in Philadelphia had over
his store. About one quarter, according to
the elder Adams, or one-third, according to
Jefferson. of the original paper, was stfick,
en- out, leaving the document as we now
have 1t. The adoption Of this paper was
warmly debated through the second, third
and fourth days Of July, and towards the
close Of the latter day, tho motion to adopt
prevailed. 1t was then signed by nearly
every member present, except Mr.. Dickin.
son, who refused to sign. Willing and
Humphreys, two delegates from Pennsylva.
MIA, purposely absented themselves to avoid
signing. These three gentlemen were de.
capitated forthwith by the Convention ol
Pennsylvania, then in session, and men
elected in their place who would sign. o,
the other Pennsylvania delegates, Frank
lin, John Morton and James Wilson, sign
ed the declaration at once, and Robert Nor
ris, the remaining delegate was absent on
public business and had permission 10 sign
afterwards.
70 Ii is fact worth knowing, that the dele
gates from New York were willing to sign
but waited for instructions from home, which
they received and put their names to the
declaration on the 18th of July.
Matthew Thornton did not take his sea,
in Congress until the 4th Of November, and
at that time he signed the declaration.
The original paper, as interlined ant
amended was given TO the Secretary of Con
gress to be engrossed on parchment, aud
this engrossed copy, the one in the Pa,en
Office, was again signed by most OF the
members on the second Of August, and a
different intervals afterwards by the rest
Can any one tell aohether the real origina
as get ia eriStenceg
These facts are cleaned principally from
the Journals Of Congress, fuckers Life o
|, Jefferson aud the work of John Adams.
The passage on negro slavery, which wa
erased from Jetferson's original draft, is no
published in books accessibly to the most
That passage is as follows: HE, the king
has waged cruel var against human uatur,
itself, violating its most sacred rights OF lif
, and liberty in the persons of distant peo
pie who never offended him, cap,ivatin!
and carrying them into slavery in anoihe
hemisphere, or to incur miserable death il
, their transportation thither. This practica
warfare, the opprobrium Of Infidel nations
is the warfare of the Christian King o
, Great Britain. Determined to keep open
4 market where men should be bought anC
. sold, he has prostituted his negative fer sup
pressing every legislative attempt 10 pro
hibit or to restrain this execrable commerce
Aud that this assemblage Of horrors nigh
want no fact Of distinguished dye, he is nov
exciting those very people 10 rise in arm
among US, aud to purchase that liberty c
, which he has deprived them, by numbering
these people on whom he has obtrude,
them; thus paying off former crimes com
t,,ittal ayainsf gba Ekar,;as of 80 .n..t