April 19, 1775 - March 17, 1776:
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An excerpt from the Olive Branch Petition:
To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. Most Gracious Sovereign, We your Majesty's faithful subjects of the colonies of New-hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode island and Providence plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, in behalf of ourselves and the inhabitants of these colonies, who have deputed us to represent them in general Congress, entreat your Majesty’s gracious attention to this our humble petition. The union between our Mother Country and these colonies, and the energy of mild and just government, produced benefits so remarkably important, and afforded such an assurance of their permanency and increase, that the wonder and envy of other Nations were excited, while they beheld Great Britain riseing to a power the most extraordinary the world had ever known. |
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"Under our present denomination of British subjects, we can neither be received nor heard abroad; the custom of all Courts is against us, and will be so, until by an independence we take rank with other nations.
These proceedings may at first seem strange and difficult, but like all other steps which we have already passed over, will in a little time become familiar and agreeable; and until an independence is declared, the Continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity." -- excerpt from Common Sense |
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On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed a resolution in Congress:
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation. As Congress discussed this resolution, a Committee of Five (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston , and Roger Sherman) was appointed to write a Declaration of Independence, so that if the resolution passed they would have the document prepared to send to the King. The committee asked Jefferson to write the draft. Jefferson went through many revisions before the document was presented to Congress on June 28th. It was then revised more before being approved July 4, including deletion of a passage attacking slavery. Why do you think that passage was deleted before all 13 colonies would approve the document? On July 2, Congress voted for independence. John Adams remarked that this would be the day remembered and celebrated by Americans. Was he right? Two days later, on July 4, Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence. It was sent to the printer and 200 copies were made to be distributed to assemblies in the colonies and commanders in the Continental Army to read aloud. It was also sent to King George III. It was then sent to be engrossed, or written in large, formal handwriting, on large parchment. It wasn't until August 2nd that the document was ready to be signed. John Hancock, President of the Congress, signed first, in large letters. In total, 56 delegates from all 13 colonies signed the document, though not all on that day. For more FUN FACTS about the Declaration click here. |
Structure of the Declaration of Independence:
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