The Story of the Declaration of Independence

This painting by John Trumbull (1756-1843), depicts the moment when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 28, 1776.

 The Seldom Declared History of its Writing

The summer of 1776 was a time of escalating conflict with England.  It was a dangerous time for the American colonies and in particular, its leaders.  Military and political uncertainties abounded.

The conflict between the American colonists and British soldiers that began in April, 1775 had grown into the Revolutionary War during the summer of 1776.

In the meantime, there had developed a significant movement in favor of Independence from England.  Delegates to the Continental Congress were faced with the necessity to vote on this critical issue.

In order to do so, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia for the purpose of voting on the question of independence. To accomplish that, there was a parliamentary and political need to draft a resolution upon which to begin debate and cast a vote. 

In preparation for that historic vote, on June 11, 1776, Congress formed what became known as the Committee of Five to draft a declaration of independence.  It was comprised of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman.

Pride of Purpose Before Pride of Authorship

The story of how Jefferson was chosen by the Committee to prepare the draft is chronicled in a letter written by John Adams to Timothy Pickering in 1822.  Adams responded to Pickering’s question about the writing of the Declaration of Independence:

“…Mr. Jefferson came into Congress in June, 1775, and brought with him a reputation for literature, science, and a happy talent of composition. Writings of his were handed about, remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression. Though a silent member in Congress, he was so prompt, frank, explicit, and decisive upon committees and in conversation - not even Samuel Adams was more so - that he soon seized upon my heart; and upon this occasion I gave him my vote, and did all in my power to procure the votes of others. I think he had one more vote than any other, and that placed him at the head of the committee. I had the next highest number, and that placed me the second. The committee met, discussed the subject, and then appointed Mr. Jefferson and me to make the draft, I suppose because we were the two first on the list.

The subcommittee met. Jefferson proposed to me to make the draft. I said, 'I will not,' 'You should do it.' 'Oh! no.' 'Why will you not? You ought to do it.' 'I will not.' 'Why?' 'Reasons enough.' 'What can be your reasons?' 'Reason first, you are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second, I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular. You are very much otherwise. Reason third, you can write ten times better than I can.' 'Well,' said Jefferson, 'if you are decided, I will do as well as I can.' 'Very well. When you have drawn it up, we will have a meeting.'  (Adams, John (Charles Francis Adams ed.), The Works of John Adams, vol II, The Diary,1850)

The five men collaborated on a draft between June 12-27.

The first draft was written by Thomas Jefferson while residing at the home of Jacob Graff, a brick mason. He preferred a quiet location on the outskirts of Philadelphia.  He rented the entire second floor for himself and household staff.

He did not know that he would be selected to draft the Declaration. Consequently, he did not have his books to refer to. He depended on his previous education and experience. He was thirty-three years old. 

Jefferson presented the first draft to and consulted with the other members of the Committee.  Extensive changes were made and Jefferson prepared a second draft that included those changes.

The Time for Action, a Moment for the Ages

On June 28, 1776 the Committee of Five presented a draft to the “Committee of the Whole” of the Continental Congress. It was titled: "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled." The draft was read in Congress on that date.

The delegates debated and revised the draft during the period of July 1-2, 1776.

On July 2, 1776, the Congress declared independence from England as the British fleet and army arrived at New York.

The Continental Congress voted on and adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776

Mr. John Dunlap printed it the same day.

On July 5, Mr. John Hancock, as President of the Continental Congress, sent copies of the Declaration to the legislatures of New Jersey and Delaware.

On that same day, the Pennsylvania Evening Post prints the first newspaper edition of the Declaration of Independence.

What an inspiring story! It has reverberated throughout the world.

We are fortunate to have an exceptional historical record of these extraordinary events.

These were uncommon actions by common men from all walks of life.  They were united in the pursuit of a grand purpose. To achieve it, they risked everything they had, including their lives.

Thank you, gentlemen visionary patriots.

The following passages express their thoughts as well as their feelings, in their own words:

Thomas Jefferson

 April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826

“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

 “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”

 “Is it the Fourth?”  His last words - July 3, 1826

 John Adams 

October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826

“Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided upon man.  A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free, and independent states.”

Letter to his wife, Abigail Adams - July 3, 1776

“Independence forever!”

In response to a canon firing in celebration of Independence Day, July 4, 1776

 “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance.”

 “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right…and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean of the characters and conduct of their rulers.”

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826.

Benjamin Franklin

At the signing of the Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776

 “It is a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own.”

Letter to Samuel Cooper - May 1, 1777

 Roger Sherman

April 19, 1721 – July 23, 1793

“Sad will be the day when the American people forget their traditions and their history, and no longer remember that the country they love, the institutions they cherish, and the freedom they hope to preserve, were born from the throes of armed resistance to tyranny, and nursed in the rugged arms of fearless men.”

Note: Previously published on July 4, 2016.