#538 #rd Times the Charm
Fun Fact #538
3rd Time’s the Charm
On June 11th the Continental Congress decided to Postpone their uproar over the possibility of independence until July 2nd so the other aspects of the Lee Proposal could be discussed. However, they wished the arguments to be clearly thought out and reasoned and so elected that Thomas Jefferson would write the first draft.
Despite Congress’ busy schedule Jefferson managed to write it in 17 days before turning it over to some friends to review. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams (The 2nd US President), Robert Livingston (First Secretary of Foreign affairs and overseer of the Louisiana Purchase), and Roger Sherman (Only person to sign all four U.S. State Papers which are the framework of our Constitutional Republic) were all brought on at Jefferson’s request officially creating “The 5 Committee”. Finally –after adding their suggestions such as John Locke’s words “Life, Liberty, and The pursuit of Happiness”– The Declaration was ready.
July 3rd The Declaration was read for a 3rd time but now for the Entire Continental Congress. Only 2 passages were removed at South Carolina and Georgia’s request. The first was denouncing a ban on all immigrants or business from England directly (colonies were alright). The second passage removed was a Prohibition of Slaves within the Continental US, as South Carolina and Georgia would refuse to sign if this was kept –not wanting to Split the colonies and lower their odds of success, the Jefferson and John Adams agreed they would move this to be decided after the War ended (it would remain an open item on Congress’s docket continually pushed off until the Resolution was finally decided upon during the Civil War).
After the removal of these passages, the Third draft was read and agreed upon by congress on July 4th 1776. Although the version to be sent to the king would be “A Fair copy” professionally printed on a Broadside printer by John Dunlap which is why the actual signatures by delegates on the paper (Particularly John Hancock’s) are referred to as “The Dunlap Broadside”. Today an image of the Committee of 5 presenting the declaration to congress can be found on the backside of all US $2 bills.
