Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/428

404 and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." The resolution was postponed until the next day, and every member enjoined to attend, to take the same into consideration. On the 8th, it was debated, in Committee of the Whole. No question of greater magnitude, was ever presented to the consideration of a deliberative body, or debated with more energy, eloquence, and ability.

Mr. Lee, the mover, and Mr. John Adams, were particularly distinguished in supporting, and Mr. John Dickinson, in opposing the resolution. On the 10th, it was adopted in Committee, by a bare majority of the colonies. The delegates from Pennsylvania and Maryland, were instructed to oppose it; and the delegates from some of the other colonies, were without special instructions on the subject. To give time for greater unanimity, the resolution was postponed in the House, until the 1st of July. Meantime, a Committee, consisting of Mr. Jefferson, John Adams, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, and R. R. Livingston, was appointed to prepare a Declaration of Independence. During this interval, measures were taken to procure the assent of all the colonies. On the 8th of June, the delegates from New York wrote by an express, to the Convention of that colony, for their advice on the question of independence, which, they informed them, would soon be agitated in Congress. The Convention, however, did not consider themselves, or their delegates, authorized to declare the colony independent but recommended that the people, who were then about to elect new members of the Convention, should give instructions on the subject.

On the 15th of June, the representatives of New Hampshire, unanimously instructed their delegates, to join the other colonies on this question. A special Assembly was called in Connecticut, on the 14th of June; and by an unanimous vote, the delegates of that colony were instructed to give "their assent to a declaration of independence, and to unite in measures for forming foreign alliances, and promoting a plan of union among the colonies."

On the 21st of the same month, new delegates to the General Congress were elected by the Convention of New Jersey, and they were directed, "in case they judged it necessary and expedient, for supporting the just rights of America, to join in declaring the United Colonies independent, and entering into a confederation for union and defence."

The Assembly of Pennsylvania, held in June, removed the restrictions laid upon their delegates, by instructions of the preceding November, and authoized them "to concur with the other delegates in Congress, in forming such further compacts between the United Colonies, concluding such treaties with foreign kingdoms and states, and in adopting such other measures, as, upon a view of all circumstances, shall be judged necessary for promoting the liberty, safety and interests of America; reserving to the people of this colony, the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police of the same. The happiness of