At the same time, talk about cutting all ties with England grew in the colonies. Massachusetts was the first to pass a resolution for independence. In April, North Carolina took the same bold step, followed by Rhode Island, then Virginia. The idea of independence rapidly gained momentum. Only New York and Pennsylvania remained opposed.
Finally, on June 7, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia asked for a Congressional vote on an independence resolution that stated “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connections between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”
A simple majority of “yes” votes, however, was not enough. The decision had to be unanimous. If some colonies voted “yes” while others voted “no,” England could divide and conquer, making defeat certain.
Voting was delayed until July 2, 1776. During the weeks of waiting, Congress appointed a committee of five to prepare a declaration detailing the reason for a break with England. It was to be a formal statement, making clear to all men and governments that the colonial quarrel with England was much bigger than a tax dispute. It was a matter of who had the right to rule whom.
A Formal Declaration
For hundreds of years, kings, pharaohs, and emperors were thought to be the source of rights. Few dared to question that idea. Now the American colonies said: “Step aside. We have rights by birth, not by decrees. Independence and nationhood are God-given, not government-given.”
The five-man committee appointed to prepare a formal Declaration of Independence asked Thomas Jefferson of Virginia to do the writing. The tall, freckled, sandy-haired Jefferson had few equals with pen and paper. A writer he was but a speaker he was not. In fact, he hadn’t attempted a single speech during his year in Congress.
While Jefferson searched for the exact words, men like John Adams and his cousin Samuel, hammered home the idea of independence to undecided delegates, particularly those from Pennsylvania, New York, and South Carolina.
By July 1, the only delegation still in doubt was Delaware, which had only three representatives, one of whom felt independence was premature and was determined to vote “no.” Thomas McKean, the second delegate, was a lawyer who strongly favored independence. But each state had a single vote determined by the majority of its delegates. Caesar Rodney, the third Delaware delegate, was strong for independence. Rodney’s voice tipped the scales.
Rodney, however, was not in Philadelphia. He had been called home to squelch a pro-British uprising. Moreover, this 48-old-bachelor suffered almost constant pain from cancer that had spread over half his face. All of that notwithstanding, Rodney saddled up and rode toward Philadelphia through a blinding thunderstorm the night of July 1, stopping only long enough to change horses at the home of friends.
Rodney arrived, weary and mud-splattered, in time for the historic roll call. When Delaware’s name was called, and the vote was split, Rodney rose to say: “As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of Independence, and my judgment concurs, I vote for Independence!”
The issue was decided. New York, the colony the British had counted on to vote “no,” remained silent. South Carolina gave in for the sake of unanimity, and Pennsylvania’s “no” voters stayed home.
In the words of an enthusiastic John Adams:
“I am apt to believe that it [July 2, 1776] will be celebrated by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It 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 from this Time forward forever more.”
Two days later, on July 4, 1776, the final draft of the Declaration was adopted minus passages critical of the English people and of slavery. It was engrossed on parchment by Timothy Matlack, assistant to the secretary of Congress and a beer bottler noted for his fine penmanship. Most signers affixed their signatures by Aug. 2. Today that famous document is on display in the National Archives Building in downtown Washington.
Today, we celebrate July 4, Independence Day, with pomp and parades, games and sports, with guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from sea to shining sea!
May America continue to lead the way to freedom. From this day forward and forevermore, as John Adams envisioned.
