We Hold These Truths

By June 1776 the colonies had been at war with Britain for more than a year, and Congress still had not said what it was fighting for. In eight weeks of a Philadelphia summer it voted for independence, adopted Jefferson’s Declaration, printed it overnight, read it to the people and the army, and signed it on parchment. Every man who signed knew it was treason.

1. 7 June 1776

   Free and independent States

   In the Pennsylvania State House, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia rises and offers a resolution: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” The colonies have been fighting Britain since Lexington and Concord. Congress puts off the vote until 1 July so the middle colonies can come around, and on 11 June it names five men to draft a declaration.

2. 11–28 June

   The Committee of Five

   John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson get the job. The committee hands the pen to Jefferson, 33, of Virginia. He writes in two rented rooms at Seventh and Market Streets, two blocks from the State House. Adams and Franklin mark up his draft. The committee makes 47 changes, adds three paragraphs, and lays it before Congress on 28 June.

3. 1 July · Night

   Rodney’s ride

   Delaware’s two delegates in Philadelphia are split, one for independence and one against. The third, Caesar Rodney, is down in Delaware. Word reaches him that his vote decides it. He mounts up and rides nearly 80 miles through darkness, rain and a violent storm. He walks into the State House on 2 July, still in his boots and spurs, as the voting begins.

4. 2 July

   Independence

   Rodney casts Delaware for independence. South Carolina and Pennsylvania come over. Twelve colonies vote yes, none vote no, and New York abstains until its convention can give the word. The Lee Resolution passes and the United Colonies are independent States. The next day John Adams writes to his wife Abigail that the date will be celebrated by generations to come.

   John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.
5. 4 July

   Adopted

   Through 3 July and into the morning of the Fourth, Congress goes over Jefferson’s draft line by line and makes 39 more revisions. Late that morning the work is done and the Declaration is adopted. Congress orders it printed and sent to every state assembly and to the commanders of the Continental Army. It goes out over two names: John Hancock, President, and Charles Thomson, Secretary.

6. 4 July · Night

   The Dunlap broadside

   That evening John Dunlap, printer to the Congress, sets the text in type and runs off broadsides, big single sheets made for posting on walls and reading aloud. On the morning of 5 July, members of Congress send them by express rider to assemblies, conventions, committees of safety and army commanders up and down the coast. Twenty-six of that first printing survive today.

7. 8 July

   The State House Yard

   The bells of the city call Philadelphia to the yard behind the State House. Colonel John Nixon of the city militia climbs a platform and reads the Declaration aloud to the crowd. “Three cheers rended the Welkin,” Adams writes. The militia battalions parade on the Common and fire a feu de joie, scarce powder or not. The bells ring all day and almost all night.

8. 9 July · 6 p.m.

   New York hears it

   In New York, General Washington has his brigades drawn up on their parade grounds at six in the evening, and the Declaration is read aloud to the army. That night soldiers and townspeople march down Broadway to Bowling Green and pull down the gilded lead statue of King George III. The lead goes to Litchfield, Connecticut, and comes back as 42,088 musket balls.

   

   Washington’s General Orders, 9 July 1776The General hopes this important Event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer, and soldier, to act with Fidelity and Courage, as knowing that now the peace and safety of his Country depends (under God) solely on the success of our arms.
9. 2 August

   The signing

   With New York now on board, Congress orders the text engrossed on parchment as “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” Timothy Matlack, a clerk with a fine hand, most likely writes it out. On 2 August the journal records it “engrossed and compared at the table” and signed. Hancock signs first, large and bold. Others add their names later. In the end, 56 men sign.