Mr. Jefferson

duties for its regulation, but not for the purpose of revenue. held no foundation existed for such claim, expatriation being a natural right, not to be interfered with. Although many differed with the views taken by the author, the document was published by the convention under the title: A Summary View of the Rights of British America. The authorship of this pamphlet was boldly avouched by Mr. Jefferson, who was thereupon threatened by Lord Dunmore with arrest and trial for high treason. Copies found their way to England, where the matter was taken up by the opposition. Edmund Burke changed its meaning to answer his purpose, and several editions were printed, which had a large circulation. It had the effect to include the name of Thomas Jefferson, together with those of Hancock, John and Samuel Adams, Peyton Randolph, Patrick Henry, and others to the number of a score or more, in a bill of attainder introduced into one of the houses of parliament, but which subsequent events caused to be dropped.

The convention assembled the 1st of August, renewed the association, appointed delegates to the congress, and gave them very temperate instructions, carefully worded, defining the part they were to take. The action of the convention in framing more moderate instructions to the delegates to the congress received Mr. Jefferson's cordial approval, afterthought convincing him that his draft, hastily written, was too far in advance of public sentiment at the time. The delegates appointed by the convention were Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, and Edward Pendleton. The congress met on the 1st of September, and remained in session until the 26th of October, at which time it adjourned to meet again on the 10th of May following.

The Virginia convention, which was now thoroughly organized, met again in March, 1775, approved the action of its delegates to the Colonial Congress, and re-appointed them for the May session. It being probable that Mr. Randolph would be called from the chair in Congress to attend the general assembly, Mr. Jefferson was appointed his alternate.

The general assembly, convened by Lord Dunmore in June, 1775, was called for the purpose of receiving the proposals of Lord North, looking to a peaceable settlement of the questions at issue. As was expected, Mr. Randolph attended, as speaker of the house, and, fearing the sentiments and wishes of Congress might not harmonize with the resolutions proposed in assembly, he requested Mr. Jefferson to prepare an answer to the proposition of Lord North. This answer This answer was presented to the assembly, and, though it was severely condemned by some of the members who were favorable to the cause of the king, it was, after a few minor amendments, almost unanimously passed. The powerful influence of the speaker, and of Mr. Jefferson himself, had much to do in procuring its passage. Immediately

after action had been taken on this question, Jefferson repaired to Philadelphia, and conveyed to Congress the first intimation of the reply made by the Virginia assembly to the proposition for a peaceable settlement. This was entirely approved by Congress. On the 21st of June, Mr. Jefferson took his seat in that body. On the 24th the report of a committee appointed to give cause for the taking up of arms, was presented, but, proving unsatisfactory, was not accepted. The committee was continued, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Dickinson being added to its number. Several drafts had been submitted in the committee. The first, by Mr. Lee, was disapproved and re-committed. The second was drawn by John Jay, and, though accepted in the committee, was disapproved by the house. Mr. Jefferson drew the next resolution, which proved too strong for Mr. Dickinson, who was still in hope of a reconciliation. He was, therefore, requested to prepare a resolution, which the committee accepted, and the Congress approved, though it did not at all meet the views of most of the members; yet, out of respect to Mr. Dickinson, who was an able, if a too scrupulous man, it was adopted. It was couched in a humble tone of submission that ill accorded with the spirit of men stung to the quick by the unprovoked and unmerited oppression of the crown.

The proposition of Lord North was not submitted to a committee until the 22d of July, at which time Dr. Franklin, Mr. Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson were appointed to take it under advisement. The reply of the Virginia assembly had been approved, and by request of the other members of the committee Mr. Jefferson prepared a report on the subject, to be presented to the Congress. As a consequence there was much similarity between the two reports.

On the 11th of August Mr. Jefferson was elected delegate to the third Congress, and during the following winter took an active part in its deliberations. The opening of the year 1776 showed a change in the minds of many of the political leaders. There had been a feeling of hope that some settlement might be attained that would not change the existing system. A strong feeling of attachment to old institutions had a hold on many, and was about to be expelled. A year and a half had passed since the first open manifestation of resistance to oppression, and since the erection of entrenchments about Boston conveyed to the colonists the knowledge that England was determined on coercive measures to reduce them to subjection. The battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought, privateers had been equipped and naval engagements had taken place. A spirit of action now began to pervade all classes, from the lowest to the highest, and stronger means of defense were called for. The colonies were still bound to the mother country by ties that seemed almost indissoluble. Yet a change was coming. Already the first notes were heard in the air. The influence of men like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, John Jay, Patrick

Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and many others of equal calibre, was felt for independence. Every course but sundering the ties that bound the country to Great Britain had been employed in vain. A decided stand must soon be taken, the bonds broken, a leap made for the life or death of a nation. The result of the struggle depended on immediate action. No more compromise with stern necessity could be employed. Action took the place of lethargy. The subject of a declaration of independence was in every man's thought, and was discussed from every point. The colonial assemblies reviewed the situation, and that of Virginia declared for an immediate withdrawal from allegiance to the crown, henceforth and forever. Jefferson's whole soul was engaged in the struggle. His was a mind in many cases in advance of the times. While everything received careful consideration, and with him was viewed from all points, it was well that the counsel of others, no abler than he, and not so progressive, was invoked. Thoroughly imbued with the character and principles of a statesman, and fitted as he was by education and natural ability for leadership in a grand cause, he now pushed forward, aiming not for personal aggrandizement but for the good of the country of which he was a citizen.

CHAPTER II.

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDence-serVICE IN STATE LEGISLATURE.

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N the 15th of May, 1776, the delegates of Virginia in the Congress were instructed to propose a declaration that the colonies be independent of the dominion of Great Britain. On June 7th the delegates complied with their instructions, but other business being before the Congress, the subject was laid over until another day. On Saturday, June 8th, it was taken into consideration, the house resolving itself into a committee of the whole for discussion. Two days were devoted to the question, in which was developed the fact that certain of the delegates, though friends to the measure, and believing it impossible again to unite with Great Britain, were themselves opposed to immediate action. Besides, the provinces of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina, were not yet ripe for such declaration, and had not so advised their delegates. It was therefore thought prudent to postpone a final decision until July 1st. That there might be as little delay as possible, a committee, consisting of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson, was appointed to prepare a declaration of independence.

At this time the provinces had not confederated; some had instructed their delegates to take no part in such declaration, and to precipitate the question would cause such to withdraw from the Congress, while hasty action might turn them against the formation of a union. Under these circumstances prudent counsels were advisable. Very many considerations were to be weighed. It might be that England would cede Canada to France to secure her assistance or neutrality; Spain had reason to fear the growing power of the American colonies, and might enter into treaty with England to preserve her southern possessions. The promulgation of a declaration of independence might precipitate ruin and death upon every member concerned, and consign his family to poverty and contumely. With all these

adverse influences to face, the men who boldly determined on carrying through their resolution, come what would, have never received the honor that is justly their due.

The original manuscript of the document prepared was wholly in the handwriting of Mr. Jefferson, who had in several places erased and interlined with the object of making it plain and directly to the point. Other corrections and changes were made by Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams, before the declaration was adopted. The signing of the declaration of independence 'was accomplished July 4, 1776, every member taking part in the proceedings affixing his name, with one exception. The person declining to sign the document was Mr. Dickinson.

In a letter to Samuel A. Wells, bearing date May 12, 1819, Mr. Jefferson gives his recollections of the incidents preceding and attending the signing of the declaration, taken from notes, prepared by himself during the discussion, and fully written out on the conclusion of the convention. He says:

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Friday, June 7th.-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 10 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 debate. It appearing in the course of these debates, that the colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina, were not yet matured for falling from the parent stem, but that they were fast advancing to that state, it was thought most prudent to wait awhile for them, and to postpone the final decision to July 1st. But that this might occasion as little delay as possible, a committee was appointed to prepare a declaration of independence. The committee were John Adams, Dr. Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. This was reported to the house on Friday, the 28th of June, when it was read and ordered to lie on the table. On Monday, the 1st of July, the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and resumed the consideration of the original motion made by the delegates of Virginia, which, being again debated through the day, was carried in the affirmative by the votes of New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Mary