Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1905-07-06

Auu IllSll SdSlcu ACAOl. LIZ
end of June all the colonies. with
the single exception of New York
whose Assembly believed itself
powerless to give instructions,
had either directly or indirectly
empowered their delegates to con-
cur in a declaration of separation.
Meanwhile the subject had been
taken up in the Continental Con-
gress, the body that must make
the final decision. The way was
paved by three resolutions intro
duced on the 9TH of June by Rich
ard Henry Lee, of Virginia:
81. That these united colonies
are. and of right ought to be,
free aud independent states; that
they are absolved from all ale
glance to the British crown; and
that all political connection be-
tween them and the state of Great
Britain IS, and ought to be, total
ly dissolved.
SO. That it is expedient forth
with to take the most effectual
measures for forming foreign al
liances.
50. That plan of confedera-
ton be prepared and transmitted
to the respective colonies for their
consideration and appreciation. "
The resolutions were at once
seconded by John Adams, but ac-
tion was postponed until the next
day, Saturday, and then again
on Saturday to Monday, the 10th.
In debate, says Jefferson, cit APP
peared that some of the colonies
were not yet matured for falling
from the parent stem, but that
| they we're fast advancing to that
state" Congress, therefore, in
order that all the delegates might
be able to get instructions from
their respective states, decided to
postpone the consideration of the
first resolution until Monday, the
1st of July. But that no time be
lost, a committee was chosen "to
prepare declaration to the effect
of the said first resolution" The
committee consisted of John
Adams, Benjamin Franklin,
Roger Sherman, r. R. Livings-
ton and Thomas Jefferson.
At the request of the rest of the
committee, the task of writing
the declaration was undertaken
by Jefferson. When his draft was
completed, it was shown to the
other members, and after few
Slight changes by Adams and
Franklin, it was reported to con-
gress on the 28th of June. After
being read, it was laid on the ia
BILE, and congress adjourned until
the 1st of July.
| On that day congress, in COM
mittee of the whole, with Mr..
Harrison, father of President Will
liam Henry Harrison and great
Igrandfather of President Benia-
min Harrison, in the chair, took
mp and considered the first resolu.
tion proposed by Lee. After a
long debate the resolution was
carried in the affirmative. Nine
states voted for and two-Penn-
sylvania and South Caroliua-
against it. The New York dele.
gates declared themselves in ia.
vor Of the step, but as they were
not empowered to vote on the
matter they did not do so. Only
two delegates were present, from
Delaware, and as one was for anG
: and the other against the resolu
ton, her vote was not cast. A
the request of Rutledge, of Soutl
Carolina, the final vote was post
poned until next day, the End o
July.
i OF the debates upon the resolu
ton aud of the latter debates mp
on Jefferson's declarations of rea
! sons no record has been kept; bu
it is known that the leading par
5 of the affirmative was taken b.
5 John Adams, whom Jefferson long
: afterward called the COLOSSUS
: of the contest. Whether or no