The Lee Resolution for Independency. This proposal was presented to the Continental Congress on 7 June 1776, by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, with the motion seconded by John Adams of Massachusetts. The image documents the vote taken by the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776, where they asserted independence from Great Britain. 12 colonies are recorded as having voted in the affirmative. New York delegates did not deem themselves to be empowered for such a vote, so they abstained.