Monday, July 04, 2005

Happy Independence Day!

On June 9,1776, the Continental Congress accepted a resolution of Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, appointing a committee to draft a declaration of secession from the dominions of the English king and parliament. On June 29 the committee--composed of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston--presented their draft for debate and a vote. On July 4 an amended version of that draft was accepted. The war that had been raging for more than a year had finally driven the reluctant revolutionaries to sever all ties with their motherland. -The Patriot's Handbook by George Grant

We often quote the first and second paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, but today I will quote the last one.

"We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, 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 connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear McIntosh Miscellanea,
I really liked your article about Independence Day. You’re right about people quoting the first and second paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. I really enjoyed you quoting the last one. I hope your family has a great Independence Day.

P.S. Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was signing on a Thursday? :)

Sherry said...

Audrey,

You had us fooled for a second with who you were...until we read the P.S. :) Thanks for the interesting fact about Thursday!

Toodles,
Erin

Sherry said...

Hey Alec, thanks for the comment. Actually, we will see you before this Christmas, we're coming in October! Is our fort (M&F) still up and ready to go at the farm? See you soon- Brady