The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-06-21
The fmu ortal Declaration.
New York Herald June21

DIR. George H. Moore, Superintendent of
the Lenox Library, read a paper before the
New York Historical Society last evening
upon the Declaration of independence,
which he said was not written by
Thomas Jefferson but by John
Dickinson. DR.. Moore sketched the
life of Dickinson from his youth
in the Society of the Friends up to his man.
hood in Congress and in the Revolutionary
Army, and said that he was one of the most
able, alert and fervid advocates Of his coun.
try's rights. DIR. Moore then set before his
hearers John Dickinson's positive averment
that the Declaration on taking up arms in
l775 and all the other papers included in the
publication OF his political writings were
composed by him, and added that there was
no other claimant until twenty-five years
after John Dickson's death.
PROOF A. TO THE AUTHORSHIP.
The question of the authorship of the
Declaration of Independence" DR.. Moore
continued, lis not very complicated one.
There Is only one adverse claimant, and his
pretence is only to a part of the work. But
his reputation is of the highest, and the part
he claims was said to be the best. propose
TO settle this question now and here. But if
any further defense is needed l will defend
against all corners the absolute, sole and IN
divided claim of John Dickinson to that i'm
perishable trophy of his pen, the original
draft of which. in his own handwriting, /
hold in my hand and shall further exhibit
hereafter"
Dr. Moore went on to cite proofs of the
genuineness of Dickinson's claim, and then
quoted the following from the memoirs of
Jefferson, begun by the great Democrat in
1921, in the seventy-seventh year of his age:
took my seat with them on the DIST of June
On the oath, a Committee which had been ap
inf for nf fha nf
taking up arms brought in their report, drawn,
believe, by J. Rutledge). which not being liked
the House recommitTed it On the Goth. and added
Mr.. Dickinson:and myself to the Committee. > I
| prepared draft OF the declaration committed TO
US. 1t was too strong for Mr. Dickinson. He
still retained the hope of reconciliation with
| the mother country, and was unwilling 1t should
be leSsened by offensive statements. lie was SO
honest a man and so able one that he was
greatly INDUCED even by those who could no.
| feel his scruples. We therefore requested him tC
| take the paper and put it into a form he could
approve. He did so, preparing an entire new
statement, and preserving OF the former only the
one. We approved and reported it 20 Congress
who accepted it.
After quoting Jefferson as to the imperfec
memory of aged men, DIR. Moore exhibited
the original draft of the Declaration, aD6
said that no person but the author himsel
had hand in preparing that document. II
is in the handwriting of John Dickinson
| and these corrections, additions, interlinea
tons and revisions, in number, extent, pc
sition and character, forbid the suppositioi
that be copied any part of the paper from
draft by Mr. Jefferson or any
other person. 1t is the original frs
draft of the whole, and the proc
of it is in no portion of the whole more con
spicuous and certain than in the last fou
paragraphs and half of the preceding one
claimed by Mr.. Jefferson.
In closing, DR.. Moore pleasantly rappe'
George Bancrofts knuckles, inhmating tina
the great historian had accepted ex-part
testimony and jumped to a hasty conclu
sion.
Those who examined the original draft @
the Declaration, which was exhibited ate
the lecture, concurred with DR.. Moore as t
the parts claimed by Jefferson.