The daily Argus., 1875-05-22
Lesson for Beginners in American
History.

thing" we might naturally expect that the |
writer's for the New York Times would in
chr serious peril whenever they under
take to air their scanty erudition upon
topics of American history. Undertaking,
for instance, few days ago, to expound
to its readers the questions which it sup
poses to be put in litigation by the long
controversy which has ragged over the
genuiness and authenticity of the Meek
lenburg Declaration of Independence, the
Times adventures an argument against the
historical veracity of that document on the
alleged ground that it is impossible to &C
count for the occurrence of sundry similar
phrases in it and in Mr.. Jefferson's
draught Of the National Declaration except
on the assumption that he had "plltered
from the Mecklenburg paper, or that the
compiler of the Mecklenburg paper had
"pilfered" from him.
The similar phrases involved in this
discussion are the following: Dissolve
the political bands which have connected.
etc. "are, and of right ought to be, free
and independent states," ETC. "absolve
ourselves from all allegiance TO the British
: Crown" I'VE pledge to each other our
lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor"
etc. 1t is argued by the Tines that if Mr..
Jefferson had committed the plagiarism of
these phrases from document known in
North Carolina in the year IT'S, the fact
would have been detected and exposed at
once among the people of that state. This
statement is just enough, as far as it goes,
but reveals plentiful lack of knowledge
with regard to the real origin Of the
greater part of these memorable phrases,
as found in the Declaration of July 4,
1776. Mr.. Jefferson was not at all respon-
sible for their insertion in that manifesto.
A slight familiarity with the annals Of the
continental congress of that date will suffice
to set the immediate origin of these
familiar locations in clear and definite
light.
On the 18th of May, 1776, the Virginia
Provincial Conyention, then sitting at
Williamsburg, unanimously instru ,ted
the delegates representing that colony
in the general congress at Philadelphia
Ito declare the United Colonies
free and independent states, absolv-
ED from all allegiance to, or depend
'ence on. the crown or parliament of
Great Britain" These instructions were
laid before the continental congress on the
ensuing 9th of May, but it was not until
the 7th of June following that the Virgin
ia delegates, in obedience to their instruc-
tions, brought this proposition formally be-
fore congress in the shape of resolution,
draughted by Richard Henry Lee, and
conceived in the following terms:
''ResOIUed That these United Colonies are of
right ought to be free and independent states; that
they are absolved from all allegiance to the Brit
lsh Crown and that all political connection between
them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought
to be, totally dissolved"
To this resolution two others were added
declaring that it was expedient tC
take measures for forming foreign ali.
ances, and that ''plan of confederation
should be prepared and transmitted to the
respective colonies for their consideration
and approval.
On the following day, June 8, the res
OlutiOns respecting independence" were
referred to a committee of the whole con
gress. On the 10th of June, l776. it wa
resolved that the consideration of the frs
resolution, declaring independence, shoult
be postponed to Monday, the first of Jul,
next, and in the meanwhile, that no time
might be lost in case the congress agre
thereto, that committee be appOinte,
ITO prepare declaration to the effect o
the SAID first resolution, 11hich is in Ties
''a0Ords. That these United Colonies are
and of right ought to be, free and indie
pendent states: that they are absolve'
from all allegiance to the British Crown
"and that all political connection betwee
them and the state of Great Britain i
''and ought to be totally dissolved
On the next day, june II, Mr.. jefferson
Mr.. j. Adams, Mr.. Franklin, Mr.. Shei
man and Mr.. Il. r. Livingston were aF
pointed as members of the committe
raised under the foregoing resolution. NJ
jefferson, as everybody knows, was select
cd by his colleagues to pen the instrumen
which they had been directed to draw nj;
aud in penning it he was formally require
10y the terms OF his appointment to Civ
effect to the operative words contained i
the resolution originally submitted
Richard Henry Lee. And Mr. Jet
could mot better comply with tn
instructions of congress under this hea
than by introducing into the body of hi
declaration the ipsissnaa uerba of the resc
luton Ito the effect" of which he had bee
charged with the duty of writing popula
manifesto. In point Of fact the resolution
introduced by Richard Henry Lee wa
formally adopted on the I'd of July, 1776,
date which in the strictness of historica
chronology should be recognized as tn
real natal day of American Independence
for the Declaration of July 4th was bu
the publication and popular justification o
an act which had been fully and duly con
summated by the continental congress O
all the colonies on the I'd of July.
In the presence Of these statements it i
easy to see that the literary integrity Q
Mr.. Jefferson is not at all put in questio
by the dispute that has been raised con
corning the source of such expressions a
the following: These United Colonies are
and of right ought to be, free and indie
pendent states )" that they are absove
from all allegiance" etc., and that al
political connection between them and tn
state Of Great Britain is, and ought to be
totally dissolved" These phrases belon
to Mr.. Richard Henry Lee and not to Nh
Jefferson. And those who are familia
with British history cannot be at loss t
discern the source from which Mr.. LIE
drew at least one of his favorite modes O
speech in this piece of compact compost
tion. He remembered that notable mani
festo of the British parliament in the yea
of 1860, when, on the restoration Of tn
monarchy, it was solemnly declared b.
both houses of that body, according t
the ancient and fundamental laws of thi
kingdom, the government IS, and ough
TO be, by King, Lords and Commons,
An inquiry into the origin of the remain
ing phrase, which contains a pledge Q
lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" Nigh
lead to some curious facts with regard t
the wide distribution of this form of ex
preSslon,ln one shape or other, at the daW