Declaration of Independence (1776) itain’s North American colonies. The declaration was drafted principally by Thomas Jefferson, then a churchgoing Anglican, whose religious beliefs a A Declaration by the representatives of the United states of America, in General Congress assembled. Thomas Jefferson's First Draft of the Declaration of Independence (1776) IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776. THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The Declaration of Independence, ca. 4 July 1776 Vol. 1:413-433 Editor Julian P. Boyd noted the "transcendent importance of this charter of national liberties," the most famous document drafted by Jefferson. Original draft of the Declaration of Independence. Ta.8. Box 3 folder 17-18 (Draft and photocopy of the Olive Branch Petition.) Thomas Jefferson. Society small collection Creator: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1681-1996 (bulk 1770-1920) Collection #22B. Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original. The painting, by the American artist John Trumbull, depicts the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress. In anticipation of a vote for independence, the Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence in June of 1776 in Philadelphia behind a veil of congressionally imposed secrecy. At the committee’s request, Thomas Jefferson drafted the declaration. Revised first by committee members and then by the Congress, Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” was the On 11 June Congress appointed a committee consisting of Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sher-man of Connecticut, and Robert R. Livingston of New York to draft a declaration of independence. Early Draft of the Declaration of Independence (June 1776) A Declaration by the Representatives of United States of America, in General Congress Assembled [Note: section referring to slavery is marked in bold type. Spellings are consistent with the original.] 10. TJ originally wrote “fellowsubjects,” copying the term from the corresponding passage in the first page of the First Draft of the Virginia Constitution; then, while the ink was still wet on the “Rough draught” he expunged or erased “subjects” and wrote “citizens” over it. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. This is the first public exhibit of the only surviving fragment of the earliest known draft of the Declaration of Independence. This fragment demonstrates that Jefferson heavily edited his first draft of the Declaration before he prepared a clean, or "fair" copy that became the basis of the "original Rough draught." Jefferson clearly wrote this composition draft of the Declaration on the top (This is Professor Julian Boyd's reconstruction of Thomas Jefferson's "original Rough draught" of the Declaration of Independence before it was revised by the other members of the Committee of Five and by Congress. IN CONGRES S, 4, 1776. A DECLARATION THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GENERAL CONGRESS ASSEMBLED. E in the Couffe of human Events, it becomes neceffary for one People to diffolve the Political Bands which have conneûed them with another, and to affume among the Powers of the Earth, the _ feparate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle On the 28th of June, the committee appointed to prepare a declaration of independence brought in a draught, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. On the 1st of July, a resolution of the conven-tion of Maryland, passed the 28th of June, authorizing the depu-ties of that colony to concur in declaring the United Colonies free and Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. The first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence were turned out from the shop of John Dunlap, official printer to the Congress. After the Declaration had been adopted, the committee took to Dunlap the manuscript document, possibly Jefferson's "fair copy" of his rough draft. Directions: Read through each version and circle or underline unfamiliar words. Then make notes, or draw lines and arrows, to identify or indicate differences between the “Rough draught” and the first printed version. Thomas Jefferson's "original Rough draught” of the Declaration of Independence* The first two pages were reproduced in facsimile in Boyd, Declaration of Independence, 1945, pl. II, and its relation to the Declaration of Independence is discussed at p. 12–15.
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