The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-07-01

of independence prepared by committee OF hVe.
headed by Thomas Jefferson. was discussed and
accepted the resolution for independence was. as
these letters show. really adopted July ?
It took long time for the petitioners OF the
colonies to conceive OF Independence Leaders
like Samuel Adams waxed impatient with those
who believed a peaceful settlement OF the trouble
was possible without separation from the mother
country Yet Washington in the first congress
denied that the colonies desired or that II was 70
their interest TO set up for independence. Frank
lin looked upon II as event which. II 1t must
come was lamentabe.
Lexington and Concord and Bunker hill favored
the radicals June T. 1876 Richard Henry Lee OF
the Virginia delegation. following the instructions
which he had received from the council OF VIZ
ginia presented a resolution That these united
colonies are and OF right ought TO be free and
independent states; that they are 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 debate followed. There
are no authentic reports Of these debates. The
war had not vet been won. Public report OF what
was said would have been OF extreme danger to
these men who. indeed. would have been hanged
had good King George been able 10 get them. but
hanging men Is like making rabbit pie-you must
first catch the rabbit.
II is likely that those who led the debate In
support OF the measure we're John and Samuel
Henry Lee and George Wythe. Those opposing
were probably JohL D!ckenson. John Jay James
Wilson and Robert u. Wilson II appeared that
-four New England colonies. Massachusetts. Rhode
Island New Hampshire Connecticut and three
southern colonies Virginia Georgia and North
Carolina. prepared 10 vote at once In the
affirm alive but as unanimity desired final
vote as postponed until July !, and a committee
compc ed Of Thomas Jefferson. Benjamin Frank
lin John Adams. Roger sherman and Robert r.
Livingston. was 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 III As Il was jefferson
received the honor and for a few alterations
by Franklin and Adams the Declaration Of indie
pendence written by him. The original draft
in the state department in Washington save for
these interlneations by Franklin and Adams IS
In his handwriting
July l debate resumed on the Lee resolu-
ton July all the delegates but those from New
York voted in favor OF # and II Of this action
that John Adams wrote TO his wife. The original
resolution having been carried the formal decla-
ration prepared by the committee TO show a 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 IL col