The Lake County star., 1876-07-13
AUTHORSHIP OF THE DECLARA.
TION OF INDEPENDENCE.

AUTHORSHIP OF THE DECLARA.
TION OF INDEPENDENCE.
Thomas Jefferson desired it to be re.
corded on his monument that he was the
"author of the Declaration of American
Independence" Since his death, much
discussion has been produced by the fact
that many expressions in this celebrated
document have been found to be identical
with the language used in the "Meck.
lenburg Declaration of independence" !"
a paper of earlier date, and it is con-
ceded that the resemblances between the
two Instruments are not accidental. In
1919, John Adams found copy of the
Mecklenburg Declaration in the Essex
Register, into which gazette it had been
copied from the Raleigh Register, and
perceiving its similarity to the Congress
siOnal Declaration, and that it purported
TO be an older document, he inclOsed it
to Mr.. Jefferson, with whom he was then
in frequent correspondence. The "Sage
of Monticello" replied to Mr.. Adams,
informing him that he did not believe
the paper to be authentic. 81 believe it
to be spurious" he says; 81 deem it a
very upjustifiable quiz. Nor do affirm
positively that this paper is fabrica-
tion, because the proof of negative can
only be presumptive; but shall believe
it such until positive and solemn proof
of its authenticity shall be produced" )"
The document is as follows:
THE MECKLENBURG DECLARATION OF IN.
DEPENDENCE.
20h of Nay, 1775.
That whosoever directly or indirectly
abets, or in any way or manner, counte-
nances the unchartered and dangerous in
vasion of our rights, as claimed by Great
Britain, is an enemy to this country, to
America, and to the inherent and undenia-
bic rights of man.
That we, the citizens of Mecklenburg
county, do hereby dissolve the political
bands which have connected us with the
mother country, and hereby absolve our
selves from all allegiance to the British
crown, and abjure all political connection,
contract, or association with that nation,
and liberties, and inhumanly shed the blood
OF American patriots at Lexington.
That We do hereby declare ourselves a
free and independent people; are, and Of
right ought to be, a sovereign and self-gov-
erning association, under the control Of no
power, other than that of our God, and the
general government of Congress; to the
maintenance of which independence, we
solemnly pledge to each other, our mutual
cooperation, our lives, our fortunes, and
our most sacred honor.
That as we acknowledge the existence
and control of no law nor legal officer, civil
or military, within this country, we do here
by ordain and adopt as rule of life, all,
each, and every of our former laws; where
in, nevertheless, the crown of Great Britain
never can be considered as holding rights,
privileges, immunities, or authority therein.
That it is further decreed, that all, each,
and every military officer in this county, is
hereby reinstated in his former command
and authority, he acting conformably to the
regulations. And that every member pres
ent of this delegation shall henceforth be a
civil officer, viz, justice of the peace, in
the character Of committeeman, to issue
process, hear, and determine all matters of
controversy, according to said adopted laws
and to preserve peace, union, and harmony
in said county, to use every exertion to
spread the love of country and fire of free
dom throughout America, until more gen.
eral and organized government be estab.
lished in this province.
ABRAHAM ALEXANDER, Chairman.
JOHN MCKNITT, Secretary.
The letter of Mr.. Jefferson having
been published, the Legislature of North
Carolina, influenced by natural State
pride, made thorough investigation OF
all the facts connected with the Meek.
lenburg Declaration, the result of which
was the establishment of the authen-
ticity of that document by the most con.
elusive testimony. Professor Tucker, in
his Life of Jefferson, is forced to admit
that there is plagiarism in the case
but decides that Mr.. Jefferson could moi
be the plagiary. He does not deny that
on the 10th Of May, 1775, the citizen,
of Mecklenburg county, North Carolina
made some sort Of Declaration of In
dependence, but he contends that it wa
not in the words of the instrument nov
published; and that the second and thirt
paragraphs or resolves which this con
tains are interpretations, copied from Mr.
Jeferson's Declaration after the 4th O
July, 1776. This position of Professo
Tucker has been overthrown, and tn,
perfect authenticity of the Mecklenbur,
document 30 conclusively and satisfac
tOrily established, that it is unnecessar,
at this time to enter into any discussion
of that point. We now give the Decla
ration of Independence as written b
Mr.. Jefferson, with passages from tn
other documents to which it bears an
resemblance, from an article in the Ne,
York Reuieto, written soon after the a,
pearance of Professor fuckers Memoi,
by the Rev. DR.. Hawkes.:
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 4
DRAWN BY Mr.. JEFFERSON.
When in the course Of human events,
becomes necessary for one people to dissol,
the political bands which have connectt
them with another, and to assume amor
the powers Of the earth the separate an
equal station to which the laws OF patul
and OF nsture's God entitle them, decor
respect to the opinions of mankind reouir,
that they should declare the causes whic
impel them TO that separation.
we hold these truths self-evident; that a
men are created equal; that they are e,
dowed by their Creator with inherent an
inaiienable rights; that s.Iong these a
lie, liberty, and the pursuit Of happines
that to secure these rights, governments al
instituted among men, deriving their In
powers from the consent Of the governet
that whenever any form of government b
comes destructive Of these ends, IL is Il
right OF the people TO alter or abolish
and TO institute new government, laying
foundation on such principles, and orgar
zing Its powers in such form, as TO the
shall seem most likely 10 effect their safe
and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will al
tate that governments long establisbe
should not be changed for light and ira
sien< causes; and accordingly all experien
hath shown that mankind are more d
posed TO suffer while evils are sufferab
than 10 right themselves BY abolishing Il
forms 10 which they are accustomed. b
when long train OF abuses and usurpatioI
begun at distinguished period, and pur'