National Republican., 1876-07-04

that these United Colonies are. land of
right ought to be, Free and Independent
States; THAT they are absolved from all al
legiance to the British crown, and that all
political connexion between them and the
State of Great Britain IS, and ought ODE,
totally dissolyed;l j and that as Free and In
dependent States. they have full power to
levy war, conclude peace, contract al
liances, establish commerce, and to do all
other acts and things which Independent
States may of right do. And for the sup
port of this Declaration, with a firm
reliance on DIVINE Providence, we
mutually pledge to each other our lives,
our fortunes and our sacred honor.
New Hampshire-Josiah Bartlett, William
| Whipple, Matthew Thornton.
Massachusetts-John Hancock, John Adams,
Robert Treat Paine. Samuel Adams, Elbridge
| Gerry.
Rhode Islard-Stephen Hopkins, William El-
| lery.
Connectlcut-Roger Sherman, William Will
liams Samuel Huntington, Oliver Wolcott.
| New York-William FLOYD, Francis Lewis,
| Philip Livingston, Lewis Morris.
| New Jersey-Richard Stockton, Francis Hop
knsOn, John Hart, John WithersDoOn, Abram
| Clark.
Pennsylrania-Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush,
| Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Cly-
mer, James Smith, George Taylor, George Ross,
James Wilson.
Delaware-C;esar Rodney, George Read. Thos
| Mexican.
| Maryland-Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thos.
Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrolton.
| Virgnia-George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee,
| Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas
Nelson, ir, Francis Lightfcot Lee, Carter Brax-
ton.
Hewes, John Penn. -
South Carolina-Edward Rutledge, Thomas
| Haywood, IT., Thomas Lynch, jr., Arthur Middle
ton. 80
Georgia-ButtOn Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, Geo.
| Walton.
| HISTORY OF ITS ADOPTION.
Mr.. C. Edwards Lester, in "Our First Hum
| dred Years." describes the situation preceding
and attending upon the adoption of the
Declaration as the hour which had sat last
"come for the final step to be taken which
''was to render forever the thirteen Colonies
"from the throne Of Great Britain. Scarcely
'three months had passed since the English
'stroops had been driven out of Boston, and
'the shadow of great war was spreading over
''the whole country. Nearly every provin-
"cial Assembly had spoken in favor of Inde-
"pendence. But still the Colonial Congress
''hesitated on the verge of the ABYSS which
"single act would lay open at their feet, while
''the nation itself seemed ready for the last
s'decisive movement"
For many days after this feeling of dread
had clouded the minds of the delegates. A
murky gloom pervaded the hall where their
deliberations were held. Richard Henry Lee
had already displayed the high qualities of
statesman, and his soul glowed with patriotic
fervor He rose in his place, and in the rich
tones which gave so magical a charm to his
eloquence. read in a clear, deliberate voice the
great resolution which SO far transcribed the
action of Congress on the 10th of May, recon-
mending the establishment of independent
State governments in all the Colonies, that 1t
was rather the expression of the popular will
of the country-could it have been heard that
day-than the will of Congress itself. It en-
braced the three great subjects Declara-
tion of Independence, a Confederation of the
States, and Treaties with Foreign Powers
and was in the following words: "That the
'tunitcd Colonies are, and Of right ought to be
'free and independent States; that they are
''absolved from all allegiance to the British
'Crown, and that all political connection be-
'tween them and Great Britain is, and ought
s'to be, total ly dissolved.
''That 1t is expedient forthwith to take the
"most effectual measures for forming foreign
ALLIANCES.
"That the plan of Confederation be prepared
"and transmitted to the respective Colonies
"for their consideration and appreciation"
Mr.. Lees biographer, says tradition, relates
that he prefaced his motion with q speech,
portraying the resources of the Colonies, and
their capacity for defense, dwelling especially
on the bearing which an independent position
might have on foreign Powers, and concluded
by urging the members so to act, that the day
might give birth to an American Republic.
1t was we'll known that Mr.. Lee was to in
troduce the great resolution, and 1t was equally
well known that, If pressed at the time, it
would divide the House. Only few of the
more dauntless spirits, even In that brave
Assembly, were prepared for SO irrevocable
Declaration. The question was brought home
to every delegate. Every man there knew
that in voting for it he was deliberately put.
ting the halter round his own neck. One
movement further, and he had leaped the
gulf, and found himself beyond the line of
high treason-a proclaimed outlaw, with a
price on his head. Any man might kill him
the God of Heaven alone having the power to
put a mark upon his brow that would exempt
him from slaughter.
John Adams seconded Lees motion; but we
learn from the Journal of Congress that the
resolution was postponed until the next morn
ing, and the members were enjoined to attend
punctuaily at 10 o'clock, in order to take the
same into consideration.
Promptly at the hour the House met, when
Lees resolution was referred to a committee
of the whole. Benjamin Harrison, the future
Governor of Virginia, took the chair, Then
commenced that great debate of which we
know so little, except the result. 1t lasted
till O'Clock in the evening, when Hancock
resumed the chair, and announced that, as
the committee had come to no decision, they
had directed him to ask leave to sit again on
Monday, June 10, and the motion to adjourn
over Sunday was carried.
For two days longer the resolution was de-
bsted with all the vehemcnce and power
which could be brought for its defense on the
one side, against everything that could be said
on the other. The page OF no history yet writ
ten, or that ever can be written, will give more
than faint idea of this gigantic and despe-
rate struggle; for it is not known, after a
careful search of a century, that a single
speech then delivered is now in existence. In
the preface of the "Memoir, Correspondence,
"and Miscellanies from the Papers of Thomas
Jefferson" it is declared that this is the first
| disclosure to the world of these debates. We
| are told at the time jefferson summed up the
| arguments for and against the resolution
urged 10y the speakers during both days-that
on the one side James Wilson, Robert r. Liv-
ingston, Edward Rutledge, and John Dickin-
son declared themselves in favor of the meas
ures, but objected to their adoption at the
| time because there would be a lack of unau-
unity; and pleading for delay of three
weeks, they announced that by that time,
they believed the Middle Colonies, which were
not thcu ripe for the measure, would be pre-
pared for IT. They were answered with ire