The Revolutionary Shore – The Declaration

By Kellee Blake

July 4, 1776

On this very day, 250 years ago . . . 

It was sunny and surprisingly mild in Philadelphia and the thermometer topped at a patriotic 76°.  As the morning sun rose higher in the sky, weeks of Congressional debate seemed near resolution. The weary colonial leaders felt their energy return with that timeless elixir of teamwork and hard-won triumph. It seemed they would have a Declaration of Independence that very day!

Just two days before, Congress passed Virginian Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution on Independence. With that agreement finally in place, they returned to revising Thomas Jefferson’s draft of a Declaration of Independence.  The men spent July 3 and much of July 4 in continued deliberations.  Jefferson lamented they “mangled” his work as key sections were revised or stricken to assure all would sign.  Congress wanted unanimous agreement on the Declaration in order to present a united front to the British.   

On the afternoon of July 4 the sacred vote on a final version was made. Twelve colonies said “yea” and New York abstained. The enormity of such a decision still inspires a weighty sense of awe.  There would be no going back. The mighty British Empire was challenged. They were daring their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.  They were officially representing a United States of America. 

The document was rushed to John Dunlap, printer to Congress, who worked through the night to produce the first printed copies (https://www.archives.gov/dc/highlights/dunlap-broadside). Shore folks may have learned of the Declaration by messenger, word of mouth, or letter, but it is certain that sections were published in the Virginia Gazette by July 19,  1776, and the entire text on July 26, 1776.   On July 9, the New York delegation received authorization to cast their votes for independence.. 

The official signing of the famed official copy was not finished until August. By then, General William Howe and a force of some 10,000 were on their way to invade New York.  Whether these colonies were separate or together, the British expected to crush them. 

Join WESR on the 4th of each month to learn more about Virginia and the Shore’s role in the War for Independence.  America’s 250th Anniversary is here!