The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-07-13

lin the national mind. For instance, it is
common to read in nearly oil the histories
which recite the successive steps of the De-
eiaration made IN ITO, /" that it was finally /
ADOPTED On tie 18th 81 July, and signed by
every member Of Congress then present, ex-
cent only Mr.. Dickinson, of Pennsylvania"
/ In point of faet the real" Declaration OF Anne
rican independence was not made in CON
nexion with the paper which passes under
that name. The !" real Declaration" was
uttered in the shape Of a series Of Resolutions
to that effect, which, having been introduced
into Congress ON the 18th of June, i176, by
Richard Henry Lee, OF Virginia. formed the
iralying point around which this great con-
test was waged. The nominal Declaration
was entirely subsidiary in it. purpose, as i
was only secondary in its origin when com
Ipared with the !" Resolutions WE have nam
ed. These Resolutions were as lollows:
i Resolved, That these united COLONIES are,
and of right ought to be, free and lndepend-
ent States; that they are absolyed from all
allegiance to the British Crown, and that all
political conne1ion between them and Great
Britain is aud ought to be totally dissolved
i" Resolved, That it is expedeGt forthwith
to take the most e!fectual measures to: form,
ing foreign alliances
II !. Resolved, That plan Of Confederation
Be prepared and transmitted to the several
Colonies for their consideration aud appro-
!. val"
These were the resolutions which first
brought 10 focus the scattered rays OF re-
volt. aud formed the nucleus MT only Of the
subsequent paper known under the name Of
the Declaration, bat also Of the Articles OF
, Confederation 10 which they pointed. How
: entirely Subsidiary and secondary was the
Ipaper daughted By Mr. Jefferson will appear
4 from the very terms Of the resolution under
which the committee appointed to draw it
! was raised. That committee was nominated
Nh the llthct June, and was instructed 10
prepare declaration " to the effect" Of the
resolutions introduced by Mr.. Lee four days
lpreyiouslv, and for the ass gnel reason that
D an time might be lost ia case tie Congress
agree thereto" The debate and the division
I ID Congress, upon the question Of lndepend-
ence fuRei e,firfiy lpOa HE Resolutions OF
E Mr.. Lee, IS ii vas only on their adoption that
ans occasion could arise for the formal de-
elaraton drawn up from " a decent respect
: for the opinions Of mankind" aud not tor
any purpose Of bringing about the great re-
E suit which il commentaries. The resolu,
tons were considered III Congress Oh the sth
! ami on the 10Th II June. when they were
| postponed until the Isl Of July. On the 2Sth
I of June tie draught Of the Declaration whlrh
: the committee was appointed 10 prepare and
have ready in rase the resolutions should
/ pass, was reported and laid upon the table.
/ 70 vote and M debate vas had upon IT. adop-
/ ton, bu, on the lst ui Julv the Resolutions
i. Of Lee came Up, according to order, and were
= discussed ~ Committee Of the Whole, when,
: as the journal records, " the determination
Z thereof was, al fse request Of a Colony. post
I puncd till u.morraw" That Colony was
: South Carolina, whose delegates, being au-
thofized generally bY their instructions to
vote for every measure which they. " togfii-
er ,rih q majority Of the Continental Con
] gress, slsll judge necessary Tor the defence,
D security, interest anil welfare n thls Colony
{ II particular aHd 81 Amrrlca in grneral,"
! asked, On the eve Of this mamentpus vote,
I that is final determination might be put Oh
+, 70 the next day." when, a. Mr. Rgtledge ex-
: paned, - he believed his colleagues, thOsgh
. they di.approyed IF the resolutions, would
JUN in it inr the sake " uuanlnty." sc.
E eortltngly On the I'll e July. I" the Resolution.
respecting independence" were pat upon
d their inal passage and adopted. Then and
there was The great step taken in this for
ward mo, emsnt John Adams, writing on
b the 81 Of July, truly said +" Yesterday the
greatest question Wa l-rided which ever was
e ,Ieblied ia America, aud greater pcrhap.
never was and never will be decided among
c men. 4 resolution was passed. without one
r dissenting Colony. ,bat these United Colo.
j. mics are AID Of right ought 70 re free and in
depepdeu; Sratp..' llr added to hi. CORES.
i nundrnt j. illluas. i" Ynu witi 80 ~ few
4 tllys 4 Declaration sfffiRg f3rIt Hr causes
ahish ta,e imptflt,l o. 70 tins mighty reSo.
{ mti1n, AMI tie reasons which Justify Il 10 the
i eyes nf tod aud man." 10 msst this pnpn'
= Tar demand, and VI conlnrm,ty to the prnpri'
/ eiies 81 the occasion. the Declaration u ~.
Z dependence WIS appointed Il BE- framed, ani
J. Inv neii The walx was performed = splli.
1 GENTLY seen ~ tat rSperl.tasie dntument
/. But it should mt be forgotten As has beet
E yell remarked By our harmed iown.man
Peter Force, E.fl., in hi. historical memo.
fanda ~ tb. topic that i VS. png "the
2 aniYsr-al difI.al III jlre u clarafi0n that
made tie Fourth u July tas great festival
s rlay u ,be nation. ir.tead II tfe u day d
y july. wiiet Is lie real birth tag II .Imsrieaa
9 Trsfl1g
e Me haze MT tine 70 trace through al "
Il winnings The historical error shtri reprc
Il sent. Tile declarations Il base Iern signsi N
i lie 4iA ur Jtf. ST.. ! ilef.ua - asserts il
!. ii. D ars b4i lie IpBnT4i q Congress shnsl
r. that 81, .Cue5e4puaqeoBs Notes are no
q 4iwass reliable, aud hat the document wa
signed only by ite President aud secfeiarl
II n CohSre,, u tta ds'e d h.. iir.t publica
ii ton
~ @ssssess-+ssssss.s.-s
Fsrta5 Hfs.togah Recorder
II upSsF TT arIp Srg