Page:Freeman v6.djvu/11

Rh petitions had been answered by the dispatch of more warships and troops; the appeal to the British people had been answered not at all.

By the spring of 1776 the hope of peaceful reconciliation had grown very dim indeed. A few stout loyalists like John Dickinson still believed the miracle would be wrought; but their ranks were thinning. Independence was in the air.

Finally, goaded by the Adams cousins and others, the Congress got around to facing the question of independence officially. At first there was opposition even to considering it. Many of the delegates still looked upon themselves as British subjects, loyal to the Crown. They were deeply shocked at the thought of separation from the Mother Country. A few-a very few-were never reconciled to the change. Most, however, recognized at last that the move was inevitable.

On June 7, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution. It contained only 47 words, but like Mercutio's wound, it was enough-enough to create a new nation; enough to change the course of British history; enough to throw the Congress into a prolonged and bitter debate.

At last it was decided to postpone final decision for three weeks, until July 1. Meantime it was agreed by all that a drafted Declaration of Independence should be prepared so that, if the vote went that way, Congress would not have to throw something together at the last minute.

So they appointed a committee-Jefferson, Franklin, Sherman, Livingston, and John Adams. The committee,