Seventh Week of Writing "Jefferson's Masterpiece"

Thursday, July 4, 1776, promised to be a pretty day in Philadelphia with temperatures in the mid-seventies and a slight breeze from the North. Inside the Pennsylvania State House, however, it would be much hotter. The temperature would rise inside the closed meeting room, plus, emotions would run high due to the controversial subjects that would be considered.

Delegates to the Second Continental Congress would decide the fate of the slavery clause that Thomas Jefferson included in his original draft of the Declaration of Independence. They would continue to consider other issues they found with the document. Then at the two o’clock hour, they would vote on whether or not to accept the edited version. It would become one of the most historic days in American history.

The July 4th chapter will be the longest chapter in the book. It was a day filled with drama – high emotions, momentous decisions, the realization that something unique had been achieved, and the understanding that a vote for the Declaration of Independence might involve severe, personal sacrifices by some delegates.

The following excerpts were taken from the July 4th chapter to illustrate what took place that day.

Jefferson’s thoughts shifted between the war in New York and the actions of Congress. “What we are trying to accomplish today is just as important as Washington having enough troops and supplies to face the British on equal terms,” he thought. “When everyone knows why we have declared our independence, hopefully, the troops and people will be united in winning our freedom. … We are so close.”

• • •

When debate on the slave clause continued, a majority of the delegates supported keeping the clause in the declaration to end slavery. Unfortunately, they realized for the sake of unanimity that it might have to be deleted. First, they wanted to try to change the minds of the South Carolina and Georgia delegates.

But, Edward Rutledge repeated that they would hold fast to their promise to vote against the declaration if the clause were not removed. “Slave labor is necessary for the cultivation of rice and indigo,” he firmly said. “We will not support a provision that will destroy South Carolina’s economy. Some of you might believe that slavery is morally wrong, … and you might be right. But slavery has been practiced around the world for centuries, including in our Mother Country. Slaves have been in America since the early seventeenth century.”

• • •

There was also a great deal of discussion on whether or not the declaration should criticize Parliament and the British people as Jefferson had done.

“Our quarrel is not with Parliament or the British people,” one delegate calmly stated. “Our quarrel is with King George. Parliament does the King’s bidding – he controls that body. And the British people have done us no harm. Our attention should be directed at King George, not Parliament or the British people.”

• • •

The room became quiet again. Many of the delegates were beginning to feel the impact of their action.

In the eyes of British officials, they were all traitors to the crown. A fact they could not ignore. They wondered what impact this might have on their families and on themselves. Would harm or death be in their future or their family’s future? They had opened a new door for America; their only option was to continue through that new door.

• • •

“Good evening Ike,” he said as he opened the door.

“H-h-h-hello Mr. Jefferson,” Ike responded. “Is it true? Will the Redcoats g-g-go home now and l-l-l-leave us alone?” He said with an excited voice. “We’re free. They c-c-can’t hurt us anymore, can they? The war’s over now!”

Jefferson accepted the biscuits Ike handed him and placed them on a table.

“I am afraid the war is not over,” Jefferson said as he looked into Ike’s eyes and placed both hands on his shoulders. “The Redcoats will not go back to England until we defeat them on the battleground.”

“But … but … I thought that since we’re free, they’d h-h-h-have to leave. I d-d-don’t understand?”

The declaration story is almost complete. I only have six days left to write about – July 6, 8-9, 15,19 and August 2. The content for those days will be short. If everything goes well, I hope to be able to report to you next week that the editing phase is ready to begin.

Again, I thank you for the time you spent with me today,

Dennis