In the first days of 1776 independence had become a burning
question. New England had made up its mind. Virginia was keen for
separation, keener even than New England. New York and
Pennsylvania long hesitated and Maryland and North Carolina were
very lukewarm. Early in 1776 Washington was advocating
independence and Greene and other army leaders were of the same
mind. Conservative forces delayed the settlement, and at last
Virginia, in this as in so many other things taking the lead,
instructed its delegates to urge a declaration by Congress of
independence. Richard Henry Lee, a member of that honored family
which later produced the ablest soldier of the Civil War, moved
in Congress on June 7, 1776, that "these United Colonies are,
and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States." The
preparation of a formal declaration was referred to a committee
of which John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were members. It is
interesting to note that each of them became President of the
United States and that both died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth
anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Adams related
long after that he and Jefferson formed the sub-committee to
draft the Declaration and that he urged Jefferson to undertake
the task since "you can write ten times better than I can."
Jefferson accordingly wrote the paper. Adams was delighted "with
its high tone and the flights of Oratory" but he did not approve
of the flaming attack on the King, as a tyrant. "I never
believed," he said, "George to be a tyrant in disposition and in
nature." There was, he thought, too much passion for a grave and
solemn document. He was, however, the principal speaker in its
support.

There is passion in the Declaration from beginning to end, and