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The Declaration of Independence and Common Law and Natural Traditions Teaching American History Wenatchee, WA Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution On June 7th, 1776 Richard Henry Lee set forth a motion for independence: “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. Lee’s motion led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Lee’s resolution was passed on July 2nd, 1776, the Declaration two days later. Why was Jefferson chosen to write the Declaration? The committee to compose the Declaration of Independence included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson proposed that Adams write it, but Adams later said that he gave three reasons why Jefferson should write it. “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. Very well. When you have drawn it up, we will have a meeting.’” John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 1822. Earlier in this same letter Adams refers to Jefferson’s “happy talent of composition.” Jefferson had written the “A Summary View of the Rights of British America” and co-authored “Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of taking up Arms.” Signing the Declaration Signers of the Declaration of Independence 56 delegates signed the Declaration of Independence. Most signed on August 2, 1776, no