The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-26
Colonel NIarre on Jones, History.

Editor OF Tho Times:
Sr-ln your issue OF Wednesday YOU
published q communication from DR.. J.
William Jones contrcverting a certain
criticism passed upon his school history
OF the United States I'm this cOmmuni-
cation Dr. Jones points out that Judge
Wexford has uninientiOnally done dIm
Injustice In a statement I'm his address
before the Sons OF Confederate Veterans
20 the effect that Dr. Jones had. In his
history fallen into the error of stating
that "ail OF the States were settled at the
same slime"
Now, ] think Dr. Jones makes good his
contention that in this particular. Judge
Wexford does him Injustice. But while
generating himself from this accusa-
ton Of error he goes too far and falls into
palpabie mistake OF history. or ac-
cording to the household proverb. while
getting out OF the frying pan he falls into
the fire. He says that i'm his history he
clearly brings out that Thomas Jefferson
presented the immortal document Cths
Declaration Of independence on July T.
lU5."
NOW IN Or. Jones history he states IN
describing the resolution OF the Virginia
convention directing her delegates In the
Continental Congress 20 propose 10 that
body ito declare the United Colonies free
Independent and sovereign States" that
this resolution twas adopted on the 2d Of
July and a committee. consisting OF Thos.
Jefferson. of Virginia: Benjamin Frank
lin. Of Pennsylvania: John Adams. OF
Massachusetts,: Roger Sherman. Of Con-
necticui and Robert Livingston. OF New
York, was appointed 10 draft a suitable
expression OF this action.
Ths obvious inference from this state
ment Is that the committee 10 draft the
Declaration OF Independence was APP
pointed on the "a OF July. Now the ac-
tual fact Is. according 70 a manuscript
Qound among the papers OF James Madl-
son. In the handwriting OF 4fr. Jefferson
HIMSELF that the committee TO draft the
Declaration was appolnted on the 18th
OF June. l116; that the draft made by
Mr. JEFFERSON was reported TO the House
on the 18th OF June, and then read and
ordered 10 lie on the table: that on Tues
day the "a OF July the House adopted the
resolution for independence introduced
by Richard Henry Lee and on the same
day ga OF July) proceeded 10 consider tn
draft Of the Declaration OF independence
which had lain on the table since the
18th OF June II was discussed on that
and the two succeeding Gays and or the
evening OF July 4th, the immortal docu-
ment. as amended IN Committee OF the
Whole. was rpOrted 10 the House by the
COMMITTEES and adopted. on that day
every member except Mr.. Dickinson. OF
New York signed It, lie excused him.
self on the ground that the New York
delegates had been Amounted twelve
months before and had been Instructed 10
exert themselves 20 secure measures OF
counciiatiOn with the mother country
Put on tbs 9Th OF July. the convention OF
New York approved the Declaration and
on the 18th OF that month. the New York
members OF the Continental Congress
signed II. See first volume OF Randalrs
life OF Jefferson. pages l6J. leG and l6s
10; and also pages IS IT, IS OF first vol
ume OF the Madison Paners.
As matter of curiosity I may state
that the Declaration as finally engrossed
was on the Cd OF August. l776 signed
again by every member Of the Continent
tai Congress.
Mrs. Susan p. Lee in her school his
tory Of the united States gives COM