The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1890-06-28
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
How the Declaration of lndepend-
ence Came 10 be Passed.


North Carolina has the honor Of
having been the first to move In
the matter of American Independ-
ence. On the 22d of April, 1776, in
convention, she voted to authorize her
representatives in the Continental
Congress "to concur with those In the
other colonies in declaring independ-
ence.n On the 23d of the same
month the people of Boston, in town
meeting, Instructed their representa-
tives TO use their best endeayors to
have their delegates in Congress adj
vised "that in case Congress should
think it best for the safety of the colo
nies to declare themselves independ-
ent of Great Britain the inhabitants
OF that colony with their lives and
the remnants of their fortunes would
most cheerfully support them in the
measure.
On the 18th of May Virginia passed
a similar resolution, but went further
than North Carolina and Boston by
instructing her representatives to pro-
pose Declaration of Independence.
Then followed Rhode Island in the
same month. New York waited for
an election about to take place. Con-
necticut June 14th) instructed her
delegates 10 give their assent to a
Declaration OF Independence. New
Hampshire followed the next day.
New Jersey on the 2lst instructed her
delegates to act Us their judgments
should dictate. During the same
month Pennsylvania removed restric-
tions previously placed upon her rep
resentatiyes, but they were not per-
mitted to concur with the other col
onies in assuming independence
Maryland forbade her delegates to
vote for the measure. Georgia, South
Carolina and Delaware left their rep
sentatives free.
The prevailing sentiment in Con-
gress was for independence; but who
was to be the first To introduce Il reso-
luton in Congress 10 that elf'ectl Any
man making such a proposition open
ly would invite "a hangman 5 moose.
Virginia had instructed her delegates
to propose independence, and 1t was
u Virginian who made the PROPOSE
tion. Richard Henry Lee, in clear,
musical voice, read aloud a resolution,
That these united colonies are aad
oil right ought to be free and inde-
pendent states, and that all political
connection between Us and Great
Britain is and ought to be totally dis
solved John Adams seconded the
resolution. Congress, in order to
shield its introducers, directed the
secretary to omit the names of the
mover and seconder of the bill on the
journals. Action was post poned, but
a committee was appointed to draft
declaration. Jefferson. Adams, Frank
lin, Sherman and Livingston COM
posed the committee. Jefferson drew
up the document, which was approved
by the others.
On the 1st of July Richard Henry
Lees motion was brought up and the
draft for a declaration was presented.
For three days it was debated by
paragraphs, during which many alter.
ations and amendments were made.
Mr.. Lees resolution declaring the
colonies "free and independent states"
was adopted on the second of July.
On the 4th unanimous vote of the
thirteen colonies was secured for the
the Declaration of Independence, and
it was formally adopted.
Then it was that the old bell in In
dependence Hall rung out the well
come tidings, which was caught up
by the populace and echoed and re-
echoed from village to village IN the
thirteen new born States.