July Fourth is celebrated as Independence Day in America and for good reason. On July 4th, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the actual text of the Declaration of Independence, which was prepared by the Committee of Five (Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson). But even at the time, some felt that July 2nd would be the “Independence Day” celebrated by future generations of Americans, since that was the day congress voted for and adopted a resolution for independence. On July 3rd, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail:
“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
But even before July 2nd, another critical step towards American Independence occurred: Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution on June 7th, 1776. Lee represented Virginia as a delegate in the Second Continental Congress and like some of his counterparts (but not all), he felt that official separation from the United Kingdom was necessary. Others in congress were more hesitant to take such a bold stance, hoping there could be reconciliation.
With the support of Virginia behind him, Richard Henry Lee submitted a resolution on June 7th, 1776, proposing independence. This surprised some delegates and contained three main parts: it declared independence, called for the pursuit of foreign alliances, and called for “a plan for confederation.”
Lee’s Resolution reads:
“Resolved, 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 is is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.”
On June 11th, 1776, Congress appointed three concurrent committees in response to the Lee Resolution: one to draft a Declaration of Independence, a second to draw up a plan “for forming foreign alliances,” and a third to “prepare and digest the form of a confederation.” Because many members of the Congress believed the actions Lee proposed to be premature or wanted instructions from their colonies before voting, approval was deferred until July 2. On that date, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and the words of the Lee Resolution are echoed in the Declaration of Independence. Then on July 4th (the day we celebrate in the United States of America), Congress approved the actual text of the Declaration of Independence.
On July 19th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was ordered to be “fairly engrossed on parchment” and many of the delegates signed it on August 2nd. Interestingly, there was not a single day when all of the delegates marched forward to sign the famous document (despite the many famous paintings depicting this). Additionally, eight of the 56 men who ultimately signed the Declaration of Independence were not even present as members of congress when the vote for independence occurred on July 2nd!
Today, few American’s have ever heard of Lee’s Resolution or many of the events that ultimately led to the Declaration of Independence. In fact, some argue (as John Adams did in 1776) that July 2nd is America’s true Independence Day, since that is when the delegates actually voted for independence. Regardless, Lee’s Resolution played a key role in America’s independence and I believe it is important for all Americans to understand it’s role.