whether 'every member of Congress did, on the 4th of July, 1776, in fact, cordially approve of the declaration of independence.' They who were then members, all signed it, and, as I could not see their hearts, it would be hard for me to say they did not approve it; but, as far as I could penetrate the intricate, internal foldings of their souls, I then believed, and have not since altered my opinion, that there were several who signed with regret, and several others, with many doubts and much lukewarmness. The measure had been upon the market for months, and obstinately opposed from day to day. Majorities were constantly against it. For many days the majority depended on Mr. Hewes, of North Carolina. While a member, one day, was speaking, and reading documents from all the colonies, to prove that the public opinion, the general sense of all, was in favor of the measure, when he came to North Carolina, and produced letters and public proceedings which demonstrated that the majority of that colony were in favor of it, Mr. Hewes, who had hitherto constantly voted against it, started suddenly upright, and lifting up both his hands to Heaven, as if he had been in a trance, cried out, 'It is done! and I will abide by it.' I would give more for a perfect painting of the terror and horror upon the faces of the old majority, at that critical moment, than for the best piece of Raphael. The question, however, was eluded by an immediate motion for adjournment. The struggle in Congress was long known abroad. Some members, who foresaw that the point would be carried, left the house and went home, to avoid voting in the affirmative or negative. Pennsylvania and New

Jersey recalled all their delegates who had voted against independence, and sent new ones expressly to vote for it. The last debate but one was the most copious and animated; but the question was now evaded by a motion to postpone it to another day; some members, however, declaring that, if the question should be now demanded, they should vote for it, but they wished for a day or two more to consider it. When that day arrived, some of the new members desired to hear the arguments for and against the measure. When these were summarily recapitulated, the question was put and carried. There were no yeas and nays in those times. in those times. A Committee was appointed to draw a declaration; when reported, it underwent abundance of criticism and alteration; but, when finally accepted, all those members who had voted against independence, now declared they would sign and support it."

The Journal for June 11th 45 says:

Resolved That a committee to prepare the Declaration consist of five members

The members chosen Mr Jefferson, Mr J Adams 46, Mr Franklin Mr Shearman & Mr R. R. Livingston " 47

John Adams, in his Autobiography 48, tells us: "[J] Mr. Jefferson had been now about a year a member of Congress, but had attended his duty in the house a very small part of the time, and, when there, had never spoken in public. During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together. It will naturally be inquired how it happened that he was

49

appointed on a committee of such importance. There were more reasons than one. Mr. Jefferson had the reputation of a masterly pen; he had been chosen a delegate in Virginia, in consequence of a very handsome public paper which he had written for the House of Burgesses... Another reason was, that Mr. Richard Henry Lee was not beloved 19 by the most of his colleagues from Virginia, and Mr. Jefferson was set up to rival and supplant him. This could be done only by the pen, for Mr. Jefferson could stand no competition with him or anyone else in elocution and public debate." "[Qy] Jefferson was chairman because he had most votes and he had most votes because We united in him, to the Exclusion of R. H. Lee in [or]der to keep out Harrison."

In his letter of 1822 to Pickering, he says: "[Ms] You enquire 50 why so young a man as Jefferson was placed at the head of the Committee for preparing a declaration of Independence? I answer, it was the Frankfort advice 51, to place Virginia at the head of everything. Mr Richard Henry Lee, might be gone to Virginia to his sick family, for ought I know, but that was not 52 the reason of M Jefferson's appointment. There were three Committees appointed at the same time. One for the Declaration of Independence; another for preparing Articles of Confederation; and another for preparing a Treaty to be proposed to France. Mr Lee was chosen for the Committee of confederation, and it was not thought convenient that the same person should be upon both. 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 Sam1 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."

Samuel Adams was 53 years old; Hancock, 39; R. H. Lee, 44; Harrison, about 36; John Adams, 40; Jefferson 53, 33; Franklin, 70; Sherman, 55; and R. R. Livingston, 29.

TH

V

THE POSTPONEMENT

HE consideration of the initial resolution of June 7th was postponed, on the 10th, as seen, to July 1st. This postponement was made. the motion of Edward Rutledge. Its purpose, upon Gerry writes', to James Warren, June 11th, was "to give the Assemblies of the Middle Colonies an opportunity to take off their restrictions and let their Delegates unite in the measure." Jefferson, in his notes, as shown, is even more specific:

It appearing in the course of these debates that the colonies of

& South Carolina 3

N. York 2, New Jersey, Pennsylvania2, Delaware & Maryland ̧ had not yet advanced to were not yet matured for falling off from the parent stem, but that they were fast advancing to that state, it was thought most prudent to wait a while for them

Curiously enough, the Provincial Congress of New Jersey had already been called (at Burlington) for the very day of the postponement. An insufficient number of Deputies attending, however, it adjourned to the morning of the 11th, and thence to the afternoon.

On the 12th was read the resolution of the Convention of Virginia of May 15th, forwarded by Pendleton. Sergeant and Cooper, two of the Delegates7 to Con