Whose words were the impetus for the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence?
June 7, 1776 — Conflict between the colonies and England was a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776.
In a June 7 session at the Pennsylvania State House (later called Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution that was impetus for the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence. Lee wrote:
“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.”
Sources
Words of Wisdom
As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.