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"You assert that there is a fixed design to invade our rights and privileges; we own that we do not see this clearly, but since you assure us that it is so, we believe the fact. We are about to take a very dangerous step; but we confide in you, and are ready to support you in every measure you shall think proper to adopt." On the twenty-first of June, 1775, Mr. Jefferson appeared, and took his seat in the Continental Congress. In this new capacity he persevered in the decided tone which he had assumed, always maintaining that no accommodation should be made between the two countries, unless on the broadest and most liberal principles; and here, as elsewhere, he soon rendered himself conspicuous among the most able and distinguished men of the day. On the twenty-fourth of the same month, a committee which had been appointed to prepare a declaration setting forth the causes and necessity of resorting to arms, brought in their report, (drawn up, as it was believed, by J. Rutledge,) which, not being approved of, the house recommitted it, and added Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Jefferson to the committee. It is on this occasion that Mr. Jefferson relates the following circumstance: "On the rising of the house, the committee having not yet met, I happened to find myself near Governour W. Livingston, and proposed to him to draw the paper. He excused himself, and proposed that I should draw it. On my pres

sing him with urgency,' We are as yet but new acquaintances, sir,' said he, 'why are you so earnest for my doing it?' 'Because,' said I, 'I have been informed that you drew the address to the people of Great Britain, a production, certainly, of the finest pen in America.'

'On that,' says he, 'perhaps, sir, you may not have been correctly informed.' I had received the information in Virginia, from Colonel Harrison, on his return from that Congress. Lee, Livingston, and Jay, had been the committee for the draught. The first, prepared by Lee, had been disapproved and recommitted. The second was drawn by Jay, but being presented by Governour Livingston, had led Colonel Harrison into the errour. The next morning, walking in the Hall of Congress, many members being assembled, but the house not yet formed, I observed Mr. Jay speaking to R. H. Lee, and leading him by the button of his coat to me. 'I understand, sir,' said he to me, 'that this gentleman informed you, that Governour Livingston drew the address to the people of Great Britain.' I assur

ed him at once that I had not received that information from Mr. Lee, and that not a word had ever passed on the subject between Mr. Lee and myself; and after some explanations, the subject was dropped. These gentlemen had had some sparrings in debate before, and continued ever very hostile to each other."

Mr. Jefferson prepared the draught of the declaration committed to them. It was drawn with singular ability, and exhibited his usual firmness and discretion; but it was considered as too decided by Mr. Dickinson. He still nourished the hope of a reconciliation with Great Britain, and was unwilling it should be lessened by what he considered as offensive statements. He was so honest a man, says Mr. Jefferson, and so able a one, that he was greatly indulged even by those who could not feel his scruples. He was therefore requested to take the paper and put it in a form he could ap

prove. He did so, preparing an entire new statement, and preserving of the former only the last four paragraphs and half of the preceding one. The committee approved and reported it to Congress, who accepted it. Congress, continues Mr. Jefferson, gave a signal proof of their indulgence to Mr. Dickinson, and of their great desire not to go too fast for any respectable part of their body in permitting him to draw their second petition to the King, according to his own ideas, and passing it with scarcely any amendment. The disgust against its humility was general; and Mr. Dickinson's delight at its passage, was the only circumstance which reconciled them to it. The vote being passed, although further observation on it was out of order, he could not refrain from rising and expressing his satisfaction, and concluded by saying, 'There is but one word, Mr. President, in the paper, which I disapprove, and that is the word Congress;" on which Mr. B. Harrison rose and replied, There is but one word in the paper, Mr. President, of which I approve, and that is the word Congress."

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Lord North's conciliatory resolution coming before the house, Mr. Jefferson, as one of the committee, was requested to prepare the report on the same. The answer of the Virginia Assembly on the same subject having been approved, will account for any similarity between the two reports, they both having proceeded from the same hand.

On the eleventh of August, Mr. Jefferson was again elected a delegate from Virginia, to the third Congress. Though constantly and actively engaged during the winter in the various matters which engaged the atten

tion of the house, yet he seems rather to have devoted himself to objects of general policy, the arrangement of general plans and systems of action, the investigation of important documents, and objects of a similar nature, than to the details of active business, for which other members could probably be found equally well qualified.

The eventful year of 1776 set in, and brought with it a new aspect, one of more energy, and with motives and objects more decided and apparent. "Eighteen months," says an able writer, " had passed away, since the colonists had learned by the entrenchments at Boston, that a resort to arms was an event not beyond the contemplation of the British ministry; nearly a year had elapsed, since the fields of Concord and Lexington had been stained with hostile blood; during this interval armies had been raised, vessels of war had been equipped, fortifications had been erected, gallant exploits had been performed, and eventful battles had been lost and won; yet still were the provinces bound to their British brothers by the ties of a similar allegiance; still did they look upon themselves as members of the same empire, subjects of the same sovereign, and partners in the same constitution and laws. They acknowledged, that the measures they had adopted were not the result of choice, but the exercise of a right, if not a duty, resulting from this very situation; they confessed that they were engaged in a controversy peculiarly abhorrent to their affections, of which the only object was to restore the harmony formerly existing between the two countries, and to establish it on so firm a basis as to perpetuate its blessings uninterrupted by

any future dissensions to succeeding generations in both nations."

But patience has its limits, though aggression and abuse may know no end; and there is a period when the duty which man owes not only to himself but his posterity prohibits all further forbearance. Actuated by such feelings and sentiments, the Convention of Virginia, on the 15th of May, 1776, instructed their delegates in Congress to propose to that body to declare the colonies independent of Great Britain, and appointed a committee to prepare a declaration of rights and plan of government.

Every thing relating to so important a document as the Declaration of Independence must be of vital interest; a document which assigns the reasons for the separation of the colonies from Great Britain; which appeals to heaven for the justness of their cause; which bears the signatures of some of the firmest patriots that ever existed; and which resulted in giving a new and mighty empire to the world. More particularly, in a work of this kind, is such notice due to a production which links inseparably the name of Jefferson to that of his country. Of its discussion from its commencement until its final adoption, we have for the first time a correct account in actual notes of Mr. Jefferson, lately published, and made at the time. From these notes we propose to make liberal extracts of the most interesting matters: the arguments of debate on each side are peculiarly so; and that the publick may have the information in a portable form.

In Congress, Friday, June 7, 1776. The delegates from Virginia moved in obedience to instructions from

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