July 4th Anecdote: The Amazing Writing of the Declaration of Independence.
Those of us who write for a living, whether it’s writing marketing copy and business communications as I do, slaving over a book, penning poetry or even blogging, understand how painful some days, some tasks can be.
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson began writing The Declaration of Independence on June 11, 1776, worked through the committee’s revisions and had a final document to present to the Continental Congress on June 28? Three days later, on July 2, the Congress voted for America’s Independence. Then the document was tweaked by the Congress before presenting to the public on July 4, 1776.
25 days. That was all it took to write one of America’s most important documents. And the revisions! The thought that the 56 members, all opinionated men of learning, were able to agree on the final wording in just two days is remarkable.
One of my favorite anecdote about this point in history is John Adam’s recanting of the selection of Thomas Jefferson to write The Declaration of Independence. In 1822 John Adams wrote a letter to Timothy Pickering about the process. Here are a few excerpts:
”You inquire why so young a man as Mr. Jefferson was placed at the head of the committee for preparing a Declaration of Independence?…
… Mr. Jefferson came into Congress in June, 1775, and brought with him a reputation for literature, science, and a happy talent of composition. Writings of his were handed about, remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression. Though a silent member in Congress, he was so prompt, frank, explicit, and decisive upon committees and in conversation – not even Samuel Adams was more so – that he soon seized upon my heart; and upon this occasion I gave him my vote, and did all in my power to procure the votes of others. I think he had one more vote than any other, and that placed him at the head of the committee. I had the next highest number, and that placed me the second.
The committee met, discussed the subject, and then appointed Mr. Jefferson and me to make the draft, I suppose because we were the two first on the list.
The subcommittee met. Jefferson proposed to me to make the draft.
I said, ‘I will not,’ ‘You should do it.’
‘Oh! no.’ ‘Why will you not? You ought to do it.’
’I will not.’
‘Why?’
‘Reasons enough.’
‘What can be your reasons?’
‘Reason first, you are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second, I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular. You are very much otherwise. Reason third, you can write ten times better than I can.’
’Well,’ said Jefferson, ‘if you are decided, I will do as well as I can.’…”
The rest, as they say is history. Our history.
Despite the trials we must endure (and work to overcome) at the hands of those who take away our liberties so eloquently petitioned in 1776, I still believe Americans are the luckiest people in the world.
Happy Independence Day!
Reblogged this on My Blog and commented:
A country established on Christian Foundations that is being quickly destroyed by people that do not believe in God!
Another big hurdle we must overcome, Loopy, to be sure. Thank you for the re-blog and enjoy your 4th of July.
You are most welcome, Free, it is an excellent post! Hope you enjoy yours as well and God bless you my friend!
An excellent example of unity for a common goal.
Keep the Faith!
You are right, Isaish. They came together for a common purpose and got ‘er done. Thank you for stopping by.
I was thinking of that scene the other day as I was writing about the lead in. can you imagine Jefferson’s feelings with 56 Editors. Must have been excruciating.
The scene you describe with Adams and Jefferson was worth a song in the Musical “1776″. I have no idea how acurate the play was (not very, I suspect) but it was an enjoyable exposition of some important history.
Great Post, Freedom, Happy Independance Day.
I have not seen “1776″, Nebraska. I must watch it! Happy 4th!
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Reblogged this on Political Ness and commented:
Happy Independence Day!
Awesome article.
Thank you, DarcsFalcon.
Reblogged this on OyiaBrown.
Thank you, Oyia.
Hey. You’re hell’a'v’a busy!! Blogging. Writing a book. It’s definitely paying off.
Hey, Gemma! I’m copywriting & blogging, but haven’t started that book, yet. At this rate, I’ll be old and gray before I get there! Great to see you–Happy 4th!
Great Post Freedom.
Many references by your readers pertain to unity.
IMO, the Tea Party has re-established a degree of unity in this Country.
David slew Goliath with a stone.
The Tea Party Movement has created an army of Davids.
We the People will use our vote to slay the Goliath that we have allowed to be created.
Have a great 4th Freedom.
Freedom is not Free.
Thanks, AFVET. From one David to another–Happy Fireworks!!!!
Outstanding! Thank you for sharing this here — we’ve “pinned” a link to the post on one of our Pinterest boards: http://bit.ly/Nyw8kr
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to all who love this great nation!
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Please don’t elevate the status of either the DOI or USC based upon the glory of Jefferson’s writing skill.
NOBODY in the usa today READS the DOI anymore.
That’s the bigger problem, instead of not appreciating the eloquent writing.
I see the point you are making, Firepower. But many of us can appreciate both what something says as well as how it is said. This post was written as a piece for the celebration of our nation’s founding and most Americans are a bit more light-hearted on July 4th. I am sorry if you find it too much of a fluff piece. Stick around. We’ve many important topics to cover
I understand fully. I used to put up my flag on Memorial Day, flagday, armistice day. I was the only one on my block. I posted this at :
Out of profound respect, I too, toyed with the idea of posting the DOI on my blog as a commemorative.
All it took was a look at the downtowns of Detroit, Baltimore and Los Angeles to quash that quaint idea.
Today’s american reality has as much in common with that illustration of The 1776 Minutemen — as a Feminist Studies professor giving college credit for helping build a Habitat For Humanity Hovel.
the link didn’t work: I originally posted this at “The Spearhead.”
I read your post about American cities’ blight and will be commenting. I fly the American flag every day of the year. (I’m not one for those silly “garden” flags with sports teams, flowers, etc., but to each his own). It’s a shame you don’t see as many American flags flying.Apathy is contagious.
I’d like that.
Yes, apathy is bad. It is born from forgetfulness – The Forgetfulness of Plenty.
Protest stems from anger. Often, these two have similar (yet conflicting) outward appearances.
I look forward to your comments.
Awesome… Did you change your template again? Looks great.
ღ˚ •。* ♥ ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。*˛˚ღ •˚ ˚ Happy Independence Day Greetings! ˚ ✰* ★˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˚ღ。* ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★ღ ˚ 。✰ •* ˚ ♥
Thanks, Eliz. No, what I did was not re-up my payment for special fonts. The old font (that I paid for) worked well with my old theme, but the standard font reads much cleaner with this this theme. Sometimes the best answer IS free!
Looks great and free it is.