The Elbert County tribune., 1910-07-01

of independence prepared by committee of five,
headed by Thomas Jefferson, was discussed and
accepted the resolution for independence was as
these letters show, really adopted July 2.
1t took long time for the petitioners OF the
colonies to conceive of independence. Leaders
like Samuel Adams waxed impatient with those
who believed peaceful settlement of the trouble
possible without separation from the mother
country. Yet Washington in the first congress
denied that the colonies desired that 1t was to
their interest to set up for independence. Frank
lin looked upon 1t as an event which. If 1t must
come, amentable.
Lexington and Concord and Bunker hill favored
the radicals June T. 1776, Richard Henry Lee Of
the Virginia delegation. following the instructions
which he had received from the council OF Vtr-
gnia, presented a resolution. THAT these united
colonies and of right ought to be free and
Independent states; that they absolved from
all allegiance to the British crown; that all politi-
cal connection between them and Great Britain
is and ought to be totally dissolved" John Adams
seconded the motion and a debate followed. There
are authentic reports of these debates. The
war had not yet been won. Public report of what
said would have been of extreme danger to
these men. who, indeed. would have been hanged
had good King George been able to get them. but
hanging men is like making rabbit pie-you must
first catch the rabbit
1t is likely that those who led the debate in
support of the measure we're John and Samuel
Adams Roger Sherman. oliver Wolcott Richard
Henry Lee and George Wythe. Those opposing
were probably John Dickinson, John Jay. James
Wilson and Robert r. Wilson 1t appeared that
four New England colonies, Massachusetts,, Rhode
Island New Hampshire. Connecticut. and three
southern colonies. Virginia. Georgia and North
Carolina, prepared to vote at In the
Affirmative but unanimity desired a final
vote vas postponed until July 1. and committee
composed of Thomas jefferson, Benjamin Frank
lin. John Adams. Roger Sherman and Robert r.
Livingston. appointed to prepare formal
statement for the world
Lee the mover OF the resolution would per-
haps have been named chairman of the committee
had not his wife fallen Ill. AS It was, jefferson
received the honor and save for few alterations
by Franklin and Adams the Declaration of Inde-
pendence was written by him. The original draft
In the state department in Washington saye for
these interlineations by Franklin and Adams is
in his handwriting.
July debate was resumed on the Lee resolu-
ton. July all the delegates but those from New
York voted in favor of 1t and 1t of this action
that John Adams to his wife. The original
resolution having been carried, the formal decla-
ration prepared by the committee to show due
respect for the opinions of mankind was reported
and discussed until late July 4, when It finally
accepted and signed by the president of the con-
gress, John Hancock. and the secretary. Within
week the provincial congress OF New York ex-
pressed its approval. August an engrossed copy
of the declaration was laid before congress and
received the signatures of delegates from 10 col