soon extended to all who fought under the royal flag or sought to uphold its cause. Not only had the people been gradually coming to view independence as desirable and indispensable; the exercise by Congress of the functions of a supreme government had accustomed them to it, and had shown. them their capacity for conducting a general government for the whole country. Early in March, 1776, Congress granted letters of marque and reprisal against British commerce, and somewhat later sent Silas Deane as its commissioner to France to seek assistance from that country. In May it had formally recommended the colonies to disregard the royal governments and adopt systems suited to their needs, and in harmony with the changed state of affairs. To all men it was evident that a formal renunciation of allegiance to Great Britain and the assertion of their independence by the colonies was merely a question of time. Congress to offer a resolution in favor of the separation of the colonies from England, and the formal declaration of their independence. On the thirtieth of May Massachusetts instructed her delegates to support this reso INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA. It was, therefore, a surprise to no one when the first definite action looking towards independence was taken. On the fifteenth of May, 1776, the general assembly of Virginia instructed the delegates of that colony in lution. On the seventh of June Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, offered a resolution in Congress, "that the united colonies are, and ought to be, free and independent States, and that their political connection with Great Britain is, and ought to be, dis- | with a few verbal alterations, was adopted solved." The resolution was seconded by John Adams, of Massachusetts, and was debated with great earnestness. It was adopted by a bare majority of one-seven colonies voting for it, and six against it. In accordance with the resolution, a committee was appointed to draw up a declaration of independence, and, in order that the delegates might have an opportunity to ascertain the wishes of their constituents, the consideration of the subject was postponed until the first of July. Two by the committee as it came from his hand. It reviewed in a clear and comprehensive manner the cause which had impelled the colonies to take up arms for the defence of their liberties, and which now induced them to sever the ties that bound them to Great Britain. The declaration concluded in these memorable words: "We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of all the world for the HOUSE IN WHICH THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS WRITTEN, PHILADELPHIA. rectitude of our inten tions, do, in the name and by the 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, dissolved; and that, as free and 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 a Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." other committees were also appointed. One | independent states, they have full power to of these was charged with the preparation of a plan for uniting the colonies in a single government; the other was to report a plan for securing alliances with foreign nations. The committee charged with the preparation of a declaration of independence consisted of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. On the twenty-eighth of June the committee reported the declaration to Congress. It was written by Thomas Jefferson, and, The declaration was debated in Congress, and a few passages, which it was feared might offend the friends of the colonies in Great Britain, were stricken out. The vote When the announcement of the vote was made, the door-keeper gave the signal and the boy ran quickly to the tower. The old man heard him coming, and clutched the bell-rope with a firm grasp. The next instant the glad cry of the boy's voice was heard. was then taken by colonies, and though some of the delegates voted against it, the declaration received the votes of all the colonies with the exception of New York, which accepted it a few days later. On the fourth day of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by Congress," Ring! ring!" he cried, and then the deep, OLD BELL OF INDEPENDENCE HALL. with the words of Scripture: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." On the morning of the fourth of July vast crowds assembled around the building, as it was known that Congress would on that day take definite action upon -the declaration. The bell-ringer stationed The bell-ringer stationed - himself in the tower, ready to proclaim the - good news the moment it should be announced to him, and had posted his little son at the door of the hall to await the signal of the door-keeper. sonorous tones of the bell went rolling out of the tower, and were answered with a mighty shout from the assembled throng without. The declaration was received by all the states and by the army with enthusiasm. Thus. the thirteen united colonies became the thirteen United States. It should not be forgotten that the declaration did not make the colonies independent states, or states in any sense. It was simply their announcement to the world that they had, each for itself, by the exercise of its own sovereign power, assumed the independence which rightfully belonged to it. The Declaration of Independence put an end to all the hopes that had been cherished of an accommodation with Great Britain, and caused those who were still wavering to embrace the cause of their country. relieved Congress of the disadvantage under which it had hitherto acted, and enabled it to pursue a more vigorous and decisive policy in the prosecution of the war. There was no retreat now; nothing remained but to continue the struggle until Great Britain should be compelled to acknowledge the independence of the states, or they should be reduced to the condition of conquered provinces. On the twelfth of July the committee appointed to prepare a plan for the union of the states reported one, which is thus summed up: "Ist. The style of the confederacy was to be The United States of America.' “2d. Each state retained its sovereignty, freedom and independence and every power and right which is not expressly delegated to the United States. "3d. The object of the confederation was for their mutual defence, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other against all force offered to or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever. "4th. In determining all questions in Congress each State was to have one vote. 5th. Each State was to maintain its own delegates. "6th. The free inhabitants of each State, paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from justice excepted, were to be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States. "7th. All fugitives from justice from one State into another were to be delivered up on demand. "8th. Full faith and credit were to be given to the records of each State in all the others. "9th. Congress was to grant no title of nobility. "10th. No person holding any office was to receive a present from a foreign power. "11th. No State was to form any agreement or alliance with a foreign power without the consent of the States in Congress assembled. "12th. No two or more States were to form any alliance between themselves without the like consent of the States in Congress assembled. "13th. No State, without the like consent. of Congress, was to keep war ships or an army in time of peace; but each was to keep a well-organized and disciplined militia, with munitions of war. "14th. No State was to lay any duty upon foreign imports which would interfere with any treaty made by Congress. "15th. No State was to issue letters of marque, or to engage in war, without the consent of the Congress, unless actually invaded or menaced with invasion. "16th. When Federal land forces were raised, each State was to raise the quota required by Congress, arm and equip them at the expense of all the States, and to appoint all officers of and under the rank of colonel. "17th. Each State was to levy and raise the quota of tax required by Congress for Federal purposes. "18th. The faith of all the States was pledged to pay all the bills of credit emitted, or money borrowed on their joint account, by the Congress. "19th. It was agreed and covenanted that Canada might accede to the union so formed if she chose to do so. "20th (and lastly). Each State was to abide by the determination of all the States in Congress assembled, on all questions which, by the confederation, were submitted to them. The Articles of Confederation were to be inviolably observed by every State, and the Union was to be perpetual. No article of the confederation was to be altered without the consent of every State. "The delegations of power by each of the States to all the States, in general Congress assembled, upon a like analysis, may be stated as follows: "Ist. The sole and exclusive power to determine on war and peace, except in case a State should be invaded or menaced with invasion. "2d. To send and receive ambassadors. "3d. To make treaties, with a proviso, etc. |