Chapter 24

CONGRESS OF 1776: PROCEEDINGS PRELIMINARY TO, AND ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; A COPY OF THE DECLARATION ITSELF. 479-491

Meeting of Congress at Philadelphia, the 12th of May, 1776; state of the Colonies 479

Formidable preparations in England; effect of them upon the Colonies different from that expected in England 479

The thirteen Colonies a unit for the defence of their constitutional rights and liberties 479

Separation from England not even yet contemplated; though resisting the King they were loyal to the constitution and liberties of the Kingdom, as were the Barons at Runnymede when they resisted King John to maintain constitutional rights; the words of Washington and the New York Provincial Congress (in a note) 480

The question of questions with the Congress; one Republican, but the others professedly Monarchists; Samuel Adams, his character and writings 481

Independence first moved in Congress, May, 1776; how manipulated and promoted; not the spontaneous uprising of the people 482

Agitation to prepare the minds of the people for independence 482

The writings of Tom Paine the chief instrument of creating hatred to monarchy and a desire for independence (in a note) 483

Congress itself divided on the question of independence; what Provinces opposed to or not prepared for independence 483

Resolution for independence; long debates; postponed for three weeks, by a vote of seven to five Colonies 484

Committee to prepare a Declaration appointed 485

Agitation to promote independence 485

Three days' debates on the question of independence 485

Decision to vote by Colonies, and that the decision on each _question should be reported to the world as unanimous_, whatever might be the votes in Congress 486

On the question of independence, _six_ Colonies were in the affirmative and _six_ in the negative; how Pennsylvania was brought over to vote for independence, by one of its members being induced to absent himself; and how the votes of other Colonies were obtained for the affirmative (in a note) 486

The Declaration of Independence reported, discussed, amended, and adopted, but not unanimously, though so reported (in a note) 487

Remarks on the voting of Congress on the Declaration of Independence 487

Copy of the Declaration of Independence 488