Evening journal., 1915-07-02

rant and they refused TO submit any
further TO his rule.
Very little notice seems to have
been taken OF this at the time but
many historians declare that it was
this document which prompted the real
Declaration more than a year later.
When the Continental Congress of
1875 was called to order II was known
that something would be done on the
subject Of a separation from the
Mother Country and each member
came fully instructed by the Legisla-
ture OF his Colony
The feeling for a separation from
England eliminated in the Congress
held in what is now known as Inde-
pendence Hall in the City Of Philadel-
phia, on June 7th. 1776. when Rich
ard Henry Lee. in obedience to his in
structions from Virginia moved that
these United Colonies are and of
right ought to be free and independ-
ent States, that they are absolute from
all allegiance to the British Crown
and that all political connexion be-
tween them and the State of Great
Britain is and ought to be totally
dissolved" The resolution was sec
onded by John Adams. OF Massachu-
setts. Then came a postponement in
order to allow the delegates to COM
municate with their respective Colo
nies
Jefferson Prepares Document.
In the meantime a committee OF
FIVE was elected by ballot to draw up
a. form AS Jefferson was especially
skilled in composition he was elected
chairman and appointed to draw up
the highly important document Sew
eral meetings Of the committee we're
held and the various subjects to be
embodied in the declaration were dis
cussed. Adams positively refused to
assist In the composition declaring
that owing to the fact that he had be-
come unpopular on account of his zeal
in promoting such a measure that any
draft he might make would be sure
to undergo the severest criticism in
Congress. and besides this he felt that
Jefferson's elegant style of writing
was better suited for the purpose
Jefferson was at that time about
thirty-three years of age and a lawyer
by profession. From his father. who
was a Welshman. he had inherited
a tenacity of purpose which in a less
prominent man might have been called
stubbornness. and while he was by no
means an orator he loved an argu-
ment
When the duty Of drafting the Dec
laration fell upon his shoulders he
probably realized that It was the most
important work of his life and he
spent eighteen days writing. rewriting
and revising f.. He then submitted
the manuscript 10 John Adams and
BENJAMIN Franklin. who suggested a
few changes in the wording. Adams
in his memoirs declares that he was
delighted with the high tone OF ora
tory and flights Of eloquence."
There was a long dispute as to the
location Of the house in which JEFF
ferson lodged when he wrote the his
toric document. but II was finally de-
cided through the aid OF jefferson s
journal that It stood at Market and
Seventh streets in the City Of Phila-
deiphia and was a lodging house run
by a Mr.. GRAFT The building was
torn down many years ago but the
spot is marked by a tablet on a bank
ing house which now stands on the
site. The desk used by the dis
tinguished statesman. together with
the original copy Of the manuscript
is preserved in the Library OF the
J state Department at Washington.
! Jefferson's trials came later when
: Congress took up the paper and be-
gan to cut out his favorite passa ges