Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-07-08

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
l716 was called TO order it was known
that something would he 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
heid in what is now known as indie
pcndence Hall in the city of Philadcl-
phia, on June It'll, 1875. when Rich
ard Henry Lee, in obedience TO his in
structions from Virginia moved that
these United Colonies are and oe
right ought to Ia free and indcpend-
ent States that they are absolute from
all allegiance 10 the British Crown
and that all political connexon 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-
sets. Then came a postponement in
order TO allow the delegates to com
muncate with their respective Colo
MES.
Jefferson Prepares Document.
In the meantime a committee Of
five was elected by ballot TO draw IN
a form. AS jefferson was especiallv
skilled in composition he was elected
chairman and appointed to draw up
the highly important document Sew
eral meetings of the committee were
held and the various subjects to be
EN- bodied in the declaration were dis
cusscd. 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 measure that any
draft he might make would be sure
to undergo the SeNerest criticism in
Congress, and besides this he felt that
Jefersons elegant style of writing
was better suited for the purpose
Jefferson was AT that time about
thirty-three years of age and lawyer
by profession. From his father, who
was Welshman. he had inherited
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 arcu-
ment,
When the duty Of drafting the Dec
laraton fell upon his shoulders he
probably realized that II was the most
important work of his life and he
spent eighteen days writing, rewriting
and revising it, He then submitted
, the manuscript to 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 it was finally de-
oided through the aid Of JefYerson's
journal that it stood at Market and
Seventh streets in the City of Phila-
delphia and was a lodging house run
| by a Mr.. GRAF The building was
torn down many years ago but the
spot is marked by 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
State Department at Washington.
Jefferson's trials came later when
Congress took up the paper and be-
AXan to cut out his favorite passa ges.