the two preceding sheets, are the originals then written; as the two
following are of the earlier debates on the Confederation, which I took
in like manner.]

* The above note of the author is on a slip of paper, pasted
in at the end of the Declaration. Here is also sewed into
the MS. a slip of newspaper containing, under the head
'Declaration of Independence,' a letter from Thomas Mc'Kean
to Messrs. William M'Corkle & Son, dated 'Philadelphia,
June 16 1817.' This letter is to be found in the Port Folio,
Sept. 1817, p. 249.



[Illustration: Facsimile of Declaration in Jefferson's Handwriting--p1]

[Illustration: Facsimile of Declaration in Jefferson's Handwriting--p2]

[Illustration: Facsimile of Declaration in Jefferson's Handwriting--p3]

[Illustration: Facsimile of Declaration in Jefferson's Handwriting--p4]


On Friday, July 12, the committee appointed to draw the articles
of Confederation reported them, and on the 22nd, the House resolved
themselves into a committee to take them into consideration. On the
30th and 31st of that month, and 1st of the ensuing, those articles were
debated which determined the proportion, or quota, of money which each
state should furnish to the common treasury, and the manner of voting
in Congress. The first of these articles was expressed in the original