The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1873-09-24
From the New York Observer.
THE DECLARATION OFINDEpEND-
ENCE.

ENtF.
WHEN, now AND WHERE WAS IT WRIT
TEMP
Messrs Editors:
There is much OF interest in the above
question from ono Of your correspondents,
in the Observer Of the l4th. and how much
elsier it isto ask than 20 answer. There
is nothing left us but to gather what we
can from the records aud traditions of tho
men Of that day. who were in that Con-
gress, and especially from the immortal
committee who were ass igned to draw up
the wonderful paper. 1t is we'll known
that the committee we're as they we're nam
ed, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben
iamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Rob-
ert II. Livingston. John Adams says in
his Autobiography, The COMMITTEES had
several meetings in which were proposed
the articles in which the Declaration was TO
consist, and minutes were made Of them.
The committee then appointed Mr.. Jefer-
son and me 10 draw them up in form. and
clothe then, in proper dress. The sub
committee met and considered the min
ules, making such observations on them
T..
as occurred" lie goes on TO say that
Jefferson desired him TO make the draft
which he decIined:for several reasons, the
last Of which is, Il had great opinion Of
the elegance of lis pen, and none at all Of
my own In o letter to Timothy Pick
ering, dated the 9Th Of August. 1922, as
to the origin Of the Declaratios o. Inde-
pendence. he expressed the same recollect-
ions, and says that Jefferson said. Well.
il you are decided. l viii do as as we'll as
| cam and be replied, Very well. when
you haye drawn itup, VIC will have NEE
ting lie goes on. a meeting We accor-
dinghy had. and We conned the paper over.
I was delighted With it's high tone and the
fights Of Oratory with which it a5Ounded,
especially that concerning negro slavery.
which, thoughTsnew Bis sou ~'vngress'
rem wouIS---~sr- wonla oppose. There
were oth.r expressions which | could not
have inserted. il had drawn It up. partic-
ularly that which called the King .yrant.
thought this tOo personal, for never be-
lieyod George to be tyfant 10 disposition
and in a nature; Pathways believed bin to
be deceived By bis conrtiers on both sidcs
Of the Atlantic. and in ais Official capacity
only, cruel. / thought the expression too
passionate. and too much like scolding.
for 80 grave and solemn document. bulI
as franklin and Sherman were to Inspect
It afterward, | thought It would not be-
come me to strike il out. I consented to
report il, and do not now remember That ]
made or suggested single alteration. We
reported j: to tho committee Of five. IL
was read, and DO not remember that
FratIklin Of Sherman criticized anything.
We we're all IN haste, Congress was imps-
tieut. and Tic instrument was reported, as
| believe, in Jeferson's handwriting, rs
be first drew il. Congress cut on about
quarter Of il. as expected they would.
but they cblitcraicd some of the best Of il,
and left llthat was questionable, ifany-
thing in il was. | lave long wondered
that the original draft has not been pub.
lishet. suppose thc reason is the sehc-
meut philippe against negro slavery Ben
son !. Lossing 10 his Lives of those Sign
en-, gives the original draft, and this Ie..
ter % Richard Henry Lee. four days after.
.PnrLAD. .LrIuA, July s. f776.
"Dear Sir :--For news. ! refer you 70
your brother, who writes On that head. ]
enclose you copy Of the Declaration Of
as agreed to BY the House
md also as originally framed; you viii
udgc whether il is the better or the worse
Of tho critics. shall return 70 yir ginia
lfter the il,h Of August. Iwish my sue
;ess may be certain to como before that
ime in tina. case, shall hope to 500 you,
nd not Wy,hs in convention. The business
4 Government. which IS Of everlasting
oncern. may you receive your aid. Adieu,
md believe me TO be.
Your friend and servant,
Thomas JEFrERsos.
To Richard Henry Lee. Esq
Webster. in bis discourse on the Lives
md servioes oSJohn Adams and Thomas
Jefferson, talks In this wise: The merit