The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1876-07-06
From the PennsyIraniaa.l

From the PenRsylraRian.l
Extract from letter from the Hon. Thomas
MKean, dated June 16, 16I7: ---s s-aF
"On Monday, the first day of July, 1776, the
arguments in Congress for and against the De-
claration of Independence having been exhaust
ed, and the measure fully considered, the Con-
gress resolved itself into a Committee of the
Whole; the question was put by the Chairman,
and all the States voted in the Affirmative, ex-
cept Pennsylvania, which was in the negative,
and Delaware, which was equally divided. Penn
sylvania at that time had seven members, VIZ
John Morton, Benjamin Franklin, James wilson,
John Dickinson, Robert Morris, Thomas willing
and Charles Humphreys. All were present on
the first of July, and the three frst-named voted
for the Declaration of Independence, the remain
ing four against it. The State of Delaware had
three members, Cesar Rodney, George need and
myself George Reed and were present. yO-
ted for it; George Reed against it. When the
President reached the chair, the chairman OF the
COMMITTEES of the whole made his report, which
was not acted upon until Thursday, the Fourth of
July. In the meantime, had written to press
the attendance of Caesar Rodney the third dele
gate from Delaware, who appeared early on that
day at the State House in his place. When the
Congress assembled, the question was put on the
report of the Committee of the Whole and ap-
proved by every State. OF the members from
Pennsylvania, the three FIRST as above, voted in
the Affirmative, and the two last in the mega
tive John Dickinson and Robert Morris were
present, and did not take their seats that day.
Caesar Rodney, for the State of Delaware, voted
with me in the affirmative, and George Reed in
the negative"
Extracts from the Diary of Christopher Mar
shall:
"July 9Th, 1776.-Near eight, went to Commit
tee, Philosophical Hall, where eight members
were voted for and carried by majority some of
whom have no objection to, but would not rise,
nor agree to support at the election some Others
Agreed that the Declaration of Independence be
declared at the State House, next second day |
At the same time the Kings arms are to be Ia
ken down by nine associatOrs, here appointed, |
who are to convey it to a pile of casks erected |
upon the commons, for the purpose of bonfire, |
and the arms placed on top.
July Sth.-WaTm sunshine morning. At elev- |
en-, went aud met the Committee of Inspection
at the Philosophical Hall went from there in a /
body to the lodge; Joined the Committee of |
Safety, ESQ called;) went in n body to the State
House yard, where, in the presence of a great |
concourse ofpeople, the Declaration of Independ-
ence was read by John Nixon. The people de-
clared their appreciation by three repeated hnz-
zas- The Kings arms were taken down in the /
Court Room. State House at the same time.
From there, some of us went to B. Armitag's /
tavern stayed till one. i went and dined at
Paul Fooke's; lay down there after dinner till
five. Then he and the French engineer went
with me to the commons, where the same was
proclaimed at each of the five battallions.
"This day the eight members for this city aud
the eight members for this County, to serve in |
Convention, were elected very quietly at the
State House.
"Fine, starlight, pleasant evening. There
were Donhres, ringing bells, with other great
of Joy upon the unanimity and
agreement of the Declaration"