The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
I will now proceed to your quotation from Mr. Galloway's statement
of what passed in Congress, on their Declaration of Independence;
in which statement there is not one word of truth, and where bearing
some resemblance to truth, it is an entire perversion of it. I do not
charge this on Mr. Galloway himself; his desertion having taken place
long before these measures, he doubtless received his information from
some of the loyal friends whom he left behind him. But as yourself,
as well as others, appear embarrassed by inconsistent accounts of
the proceedings on that memorable occasion, and as those who have
endeavored to restore the truth, have themselves committed some errors,
I will give you some extracts from a written document on that subject;
for the truth of which I pledge myself to heaven and earth; having,
while the question of Independence was under consideration before
Congress, taken written notes, in my seat, of what was passing, and
reduced them to form on the final conclusion. I have now before me that
paper, from which the following are extracts. "Friday, June 7th, 1776.
The delegates from Virginia moved, in obedience to instructions from
their constituents, that the Congress should 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; that measures should be
immediately taken for procuring the assistance of foreign powers, and a
Confederation be formed to bind the colonies more closely together. The
House, being obliged to attend at that time to some other business, the
proposition was referred to the next day, when the members were ordered
to attend punctually at ten o'clock. Saturday, June 8th. They proceeded
to take it into consideration, and referred it to a committee of the
whole, into which they immediately resolved themselves, and passed that
day in debating on the subject.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account