The Founders, Religion and Government On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress adjourned for a three week recess after which they would discuss independence. Before they adjourned on that day they formed a committee to write a statement explaining to the world the reasons for the break with the mother country, a declaration of independence. It was decided that five men would serve, hence the name the Committee of Five. On this committee were two of the most fervent advocates for liberty, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Also serving were two highly respected members of Congress, Roger Sherman of Connecticut and Robert R. Livingston of New York. Lastly was one of the youngest and quietest members, also the only one from a southern colony, Thomas Jefferson. Why was the youngest of the group chosen to write the Declaration of Independence? It could be that no one thought this paper mattered much. After all it would be yet another statement sent by the colonists to complain of their mistreatment by the crown. Or it could be that the other members were aware of Jefferson’s skill with a pen. But it is likely Jefferson’s home which made the difference. He was a Virginian and Virginia was the oldest, largest, and most powerful of the colonies. Adams said as much in a letter to Thomas Pickering, “You inquire why so young a man as Mr. Jefferson was placed at the head of the committee for preparing a Declaration of Independence? I answer: It was the Frankfort advice, to place Virginia at the head of everything.” So on this day in 1776 Thomas Jefferson began working on the draft of what would become our Declaration. Toiling on a portable desk at his lodging in Philadelphia, he wrote the first of several drafts. When he finished his final draft, Jefferson showed it to two of the committee members, Adams and Franklin. “I drew it; but before I reported it to the committee I communicated it separately to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams requesting their corrections. . . I then wrote a fair copy, reported it to the committee, and from them, unaltered to the Congress.” Please join us here at The Founders, Religion and Government as we embark on a study of the Declaration of Independence.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:30:46 +0000
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