USA > Massachusetts > Commonwealth history of Massachusetts, colony, province and state, volume 3 > Part 11
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No further action is found in the Journal, and the General Court was prorogued on July 13 until August 28.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN CONGRESS (JUNE - JULY, 1776)
In Continental Congress, June 7, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia (pursuant to his instructions in the Virginia Resolu- tions) presented the following :
"Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are ab- solved 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.
"That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
"That a plan for confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and appro- bation."
Consideration was postponed until the 8th, when it was referred to the committee of the whole.
On June 10, the committee of the whole having reported, it was
"Resolved, That the consideration of the first resolution be postponed to this day, three weeks [July 1], and in the meanwhile, that no time be lost, in case the Congress agree thereto, that a committee be appointed to prepare a declara- tion to the effect of the said first resolution, which is in these words :
"That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be,
104 MASSACHUSETTS AND INDEPENDENCY
free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown: and that all political con- nexion between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved"; and the committee was dis- charged.
On June 11, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston were chosen a committee to prepare the Declaration, which they brought in on June 28, written in the hand of Jefferson, with occasional changes by Adams and Franklin; and it was duly "Ordered, To lie on the table."
From now on the first resolution of June 7, and the declara- tion reported June 28 were considered separately and referred to in the Journals as "resolution" and "declaration."
ACTION OF CONGRESS (JULY 1 - JULY 4, 1776)
On July 1, Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to consider the resolution respecting independency and the declaration. After a nine-hour debate Benjamin Harrison for the committee reported to Congress that they had agreed to the resolution, and said "resolution ... being read, the determination thereof was postponed, at the request of a colony, [i. e., South Carolina] till tomorrow."
On July 2, "Congress resumed the consideration of the resolution agreed to by and reported from the committee of the whole; and the same being read, was agreed to as fol- lows :"
"Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are ab- solved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them, and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."
Again Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, took up the declaration, and after some time Benjamin Harrison for the committee reported they "had under con- sideration the declaration to them referred; but not having had time to go through the same, desired leave to sit again," which was granted and the consideration was continued through July 3.
On July 4, after some further consideration, Benjamin Har-
Congrats July A. M/b
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That General Washington bo ampowerd The shall Judge it Adviseable, to order three of the
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From original in Massachusetts Archives
PROCLAMATION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
105
PUBLICITY OF THE DECLARATION
rison for the committee of the whole reported to Congress (again in session) "that the committee . .. have agreed to a Declaration," which he delivered in, and being read again, it was agreed to unanimously by all of the delegates, save those of New York, who had no power to act.
PUBLICITY OF THE DECLARATION (JULY 4 - JULY 6, 1776)
It was further "Ordered, That the declaration be authenti- cated and printed.
"That the committee appointed to prepare the declaration, superintend and correct the press.
"That copies of the declaration be sent to the several as- semblies, conventions and committees, or councils of safety, and to the several commanding officers of the continental troops; that it be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at the head of the army."
On July 19, it was "Resolved, That the Declaration passed on the 4th, be fairly engrossed on parchment, with the title and stile of 'The unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America,' and that the same, when engrossed, be signed by every member of Congress," and on August 2, "be- ing engrossed and compared at the table, was signed [by the members ]."
Pursuant to the order of July 4th, the Declaration was printed officially by John Dunlap of Philadelphia, July 5 and 6, and reprinted ( for the first time in any newspaper) in the Pennsylvania Evening Post of July 6. John Hancock, as president, sent copies of this broadside on July 6 to General Washington, to the "Hon[oura]ble Assembly of Massa- chusetts Bay," and to the other Colonies, enclosed in letters reading as follows :
"Philada July 6th 1776.
"Honble Gentlemen,
Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe our- selves and Posterity in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able, and to trust the Events to that Being, who controuls both Causes and Events, so as to bring about his own Determinations.
Impressed with this Sentiment, & at the same Time fully
106 MASSACHUSETTS AND INDEPENDENCY
convinced, that our Affairs may take a more favourable Turn, the Congress have judged it necessary to dissolve all Connec- tion between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and to declare them free and independent States; as you will per- ceive by the enclosed Declaration, which I am directed by Con- gress to transmit to you, and to request you will have it pro- claimed in your Colony in the Way you shall think most proper.
The important Consequences to the American States from this Declaration of Independence, considered as the Ground and Foundation of a future Government, will naturally sug- gest the Propriety of proclaiming it in such Manner, that the People may be universally informed of it.
I have the Honour to be
with great Respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedt & very hble Ser. John Hancock, Presidt
Honble Assembly of Massachusetts Bay."
TRANSMISSION OF THE DECLARATION TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COLONY (JULY 4 - JULY 11, 1776)
General Washington caused the Declaration to be pro- claimed before all the army under his command at New York on July 10, and on the 11th reported the same to John Han- cock and that he had transmitted a copy to General Ward at Boston, requesting him to have it proclaimed to the Continen- tal troops in that department, but he said nothing about the copy he had sent to the General Court of Massachusetts, en- closed in the following letter :
"New York July the 9th 1776
Gent™
You will perceive by the Inclosed Declaration, which I have the honor to Transmit to you, that Congress of late have been employed in deliberating on matters of the utmost Im- portance. Impelled by necessity and a repetition of Injuries unsufferable, without the most distant prospect of releif, they have asserted the claims of the American Colonies to the rights of Humanity and declared them Free and Independent States.
TRANSMISSION OF THE DECLARATION 107
Judging from a variety of circumstances that the British Arms are meant to be directed this Campaign against the State of New York to effect Its reduction, they have empow- ered me to order the three fullest Regiments of their Troops in the Massachusetts bay to reinforce our Northern Army, as you will see by a Copy of their resolve which I have In- closed. I have accordingly by the advice of my General Officers, requested General Ward to detach them with all possible expedition to Join that Army, and prevent the fatal and alarming consequences that would result from the Enemies passing the Lakes and making an Impression on our Frontiers. I am almost morally certain that no Attempts will be made on the Massachusetts bay, and If there should they must prove abortive and ineffectual, the Militia Independent of other Troops being more than competent to all the purposes of defensive War. However shoud It be deemed expedient by your Honble body, Congress have authorized you to em- body and take into pay a number of Militia equal to the Regi- ments to be detached.
I have the honor to be with great respect Gentm Yr Most Obedt & Hble Servt Gº Washington
Honble G1 Court of Massachusetts bay."
The express which left Philadelphia, Saturday, July 6, ar- rived at New York, Tuesday, July 9; Hartford, Thursday, July 11; Worcester, Sunday, July 14; Boston, Monday, July 15; and Exeter, July 16, having gone thirty miles out of its way to Portsmouth; and the Declaration was received every- where with much jubilation.
THE DECLARATION IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS (July, 1776)
The Massachusetts House of Representatives having been prorogued on July 13 (Saturday), the Council (in executive session) on July 15 (Monday) took this action :
"On Motion Ordered, that John Winthrop, William Phillips & Francis Dana Esqrs be a Committee to take into Consideration
108 MASSACHUSETTS AND INDEPENDENCY
what Way manner & form the Declaration of ye Honble Con- tinental Congress should be made Publick."
It is interesting to note that on the very next day the word "State" was introduced in an order relating to innoculating hospitals and that on July 17 the words "State House" and "State Street" appear in the report given below, although the town did not change the name of the street officially until July 4, 1788.
On July 17, "The Committee to whom was reffer'd, to take under Consideration what way manner & form, the Declaration of the Continental Congress shou'd be made Pub- lick-Report that the said Declaration be proclaim'd by the Sherrif of the County of Suffolk, from the Balcony of the State House in Boston, on Thursday Next at One OClock P M-in Presence of & under Direction of a Committee of Council to be appointª for that purpose, that the Representa- tives, Magistrates, Ministers & Selectmen of the said Town, & Other Gentlemen, the Commission Officers of the Conti- nent Army, stationed in Boston, Also of the Militia of Boston & of the Colonial Regiments there, be desired to meet at ye Council Chamber at that time, and that the Militia of the Town of Boston, & such of the Contint1 Army, and of the Colonial Regiments as can be spared from Duty, be drawn Up in, State Street at ye same time-And that the sd Declara- tion be printed & a Coppy sent to the Ministers of every Parish, of every Denomination within this State, and that they sev- erally be required to read the same to their respective Congre- gations, as soon as divine Service is Concluded in the After- noon, of the first Lords Day, after they shall have receiv'd it, and after such Publication thereof to deliver the said Declaration to the Clerks of their respective Towns or Dis- tricts, who are hereby required to record the same in Their respective Town or District Books, there to remain as a per- petual Memorial thereof .- That the Committee of Council who shall be Appointed for the Abovementioned Purpose, be Im- power'd to direct the Other proceedings relative to said Proc- lamation, in such manner as they shall Judge proper-By Order of ye Council, Richard Derby Jun™ Presidt.
"On Motion Ordered that James Bowdoin, Artemas Ward, Richard Derby, Thomas Cushing, John Winthrop, Moses Gill, Will™ Phillips, Benja Austin & Francis Dana Esq's be a Com-
A
109
PUBLICATION OF THE DECLARATION
mittee to Repair to Boston, to direct the Manner relative to the Proclaiming the Declaration of Congress.
"On Motion Ordered that Dan Hopkins, Esq., be directed to Print the Declaration of the Continental Congress, at Salem & bring them to Watertown."
On July 18, "On Motion Ordered that ye declaration be Publickly read by the Secretary [John Avery, Jr., Deputy Secretary] in ye Council Chamber [at Watertown] and that the Representatives of this and the other Towns who are present, be invited to attend the said Publication."
On August 5, "Ordered, that the Secretary be directed to write to the Sheriff of ye County of Suffolk to Acquaint him that the Printed Declaration of Independency, were on this Table-and ye Board expected he wou'd take proper care that they be distributed thro' this State as soon as may be-That every Town may have them publickly read, in each religious Assembly." This was attended to by the Deputy Secretary, in a letter to Sheriff [William] Greenleaf of even date.
PUBLICATION OF THE DECLARATION IN MASSACHUSETTS
The broadsides so distributed bear the imprint, "Salem, Massachusetts-Bay : Printed by E. Russell, by Order of Authority." The copy at the Massachusetts Historical So- ciety is endorsed: "On August 11th, 1776, after the Conclu- sion of Divine Service, I read this Declaration, conformable to the Order of the Council of State; and spake in Favour of a Compliance with the Continental Declaration. As wit- nesseth my Hand, Samuel Mather."
On Monday, July 15, General Ward received the copy of the Declaration sent him by General Washington. On the 16th, he gave "America" as parole, "Independence" as counter- sign, and on Wednesday, July 15, had it read at the head of the regiments. A curious coincidence is that it was published in the American Gazette of Salem on July 16 (the first newspaper publication in Massachusetts) and in the Massa- chusetts Spy of Worcester on July 17. On July 18 it was published in the Continental Journal and the New England
110 MASSACHUSETTS AND INDEPENDENCY
Chronicle (both printed at Boston) and on July 22 in the Boston Gazette (the administration organ, printed by Ben- jamin Edes in Watertown).
THE PROCLAMATION AT BOSTON (July 18, 1776)
According to the Boston Gazette of July 22:
"Thursday last [July 18], pursuant to the Orders of the honorable Council, was proclaimed, from the Balcony of the State House in Boston, the DECLARATION of the AMERI- CAN CONGRESS, absolving the United Colonies from their Allegiance to the British Crown, and declaring them FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES. There were present on the Occasion, in the Council-Chamber, the Committee of Coun- cil, a Number of the honorable House of Representatives, the Magistrates, Ministers, Selectmen, and other Gentlemen of Boston and the neighbouring Towns; also the Commis- sion Officers of the Continental Regiments stationed in Bos- ton, and other Officers. Two of those Regiments were under Arms in Kingstreet, formed into three Lines on the North Side of the Street, and in thirteen Divisions; and a Detach- ment from the Massachusetts Regiment of Artillery, with two Pieces of Cannon was on their Right Wing. At One o'Clock the Declaration was proclaimed by the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk, which was received with great Joy, ex- pressed by three Huzzas from a great Concourse of People assembled on the Occasion. After which, on a Signal given, Thirteen Pieces of Cannon were fired at the Fort on Fort- Hill, the Forts at Dorchester Neck, the Castle, Nantasket, and Point Alderton, likewise discharged their Cannon: Then the Detachment of Artillery fired their Cannon thirteen Times, which was followed by the two Regiments giving their Fire from the thirteen Divisions in Succession. These Firings cor- responded to the Number of the American States United. The Ceremony was closed with a proper Collation to the Gentlemen in the Council Chamber; during which the fol- lowing Toasts were given by the President of the Council, and heartily pledged by the Company viz.
"Prosperity and Perpetuity to the United States of Amer- ica.
"The American Congress.
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111
OTHER ACCOUNTS OF PROCLAMATION
"The General Court of the State of Massachusetts Bay.
"General WASHINGTON, and Success to the Arms of the United States.
"The downfall of Tyrants and Tyranny.
"The universal Prevalence of Civil and Religious Liberty.
"The Friends of the United States in all Quarters of the Globe.
"The Bells of the Town were rung on the Occasion; and undissembled Festivity cheer'd and brighten'd every Face.
"On the same Day a Number of the Members of the Coun- cil (who were prevented attending the Ceremony at Boston, on account of the Small Pox being there) together, with those of the Hon. House of Representatives who were in Town [Watertown], and a Number of other Gentlemen assembled at the Council Chamber in this Town, where the said Declara- tion was also Proclaimed by the Secretary [Deputy Secretary Avery] from one of the Windows; after which, the Gentle- men present partook of a decent Collation prepared on the Occasion, and drank a Number of constitutional Toasts, and then retired.
"We hear that on Thursday last every King's Arms in Boston, and every Sign with any Resemblance of it whether Lion & Crown, Pestle and Mortar & Crown, Heart & Crown, &c. together with every Sign that belonged to a Tory, was taken down, and made a general Conflagration of in King Street."
OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THE PROCLAMATION (July 18, 1776)
Some difference of opinion exists as to the actual reading at Boston. The Boston Gazette of July 22, printed at Water- town, says that on
"Thursday last [July 18], pursuant to the Orders of the honorable Council, was proclaimed, from the Balcony of the State House in Boston, the DECLARATION OF THE AMERICAN CONGRESS .... at One o'Clock .... by the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk, [i. e., William Greenleaf] which was received with great Joy, expressed by three Huzzas from a great Concourse of People assembled on the Occasion."
The Continental Journal of July 25, printed in Boston,
112 MASSACHUSETTS AND INDEPENDENCY
follows the Gazette closely, giving "the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk" as the reader.
The New England Chronicle of July 25, printed in Boston, follows the Gazette closely, save that Colonel Thomas Crafts is given as the reader.
The Massachusetts Spy of July 31, printed in Worcester, follows the New England Chronicle, giving Colonel Thomas Crafts as the reader.
A British officer (prisoner of war) who was present in the Council Chamber tells in the United Service Journal:
"Exactly as the clock struck one, Colonel Crafts, who occupied the chair, rose and read aloud the Declaration. This being finished, the gentlemen stood up, and each, repeating the words as they were spoken by an officer, swore to uphold the rights of the country. Meanwhile the town clerk [William Cooper] read from a balcony the Declaration to the crowd."
WHO READ THE PROCLAMATION (July 18, 1776)
Mrs. Abigail Adams, in a letter July 21, says to her husband :
"Last Thursday, after hearing a very good sermon, I went with the multitude into King Street to hear the Proclama- tion for Independence read and proclaimed. ... The troops under arms and all the inhabitants assembled there (the small- pox preventing many thousands from the country) when Colonel Crafts read from the balcony of the State House the proclamation. Great attention was given to every word. As soon as he ended, the cry from the balcony was 'God save our American States' and then three cheers which rent the air."
The practise in Massachusetts during the eighteenth cen- tury was for the secretary to read proclamations in the coun- cil chamber or from the balcony and for the sheriff of the County of Suffolk to repeat them from the balcony or the street.
The Secretary, Samuel Adams, was in Philadelphia .; the Deputy Secretary, John Avery, Jr., (commonly referred to in the records of the Council and House of Representatives as the Secretary) was reading the Declaration from the window of the meeting house in Watertown. The Order of
1
SATISFACTION OF STATE GOVERNMENT 113
the Council on July 17 directed that it should "be proclaim'd by the Sherrif of the County of Suffolk, from the Balcony of the State House in Boston, on Thursday Next at One O Clock P. M. in Presence of & under Direction of a Commit- tee of Council to be appointd for that purpose, .... " consisting of "James Bowdoin, Artemas Ward, Richard Derby, Thomas Cushing, John Winthrop, Moses Gill, Will™ Phillips, Benja Austin & Francis Dana, Esq's " and at least Bowdoin, Ward, Winthrop, Phillips, and Dana were present.
Family tradition has it that because Sheriff Greenleaf was not of imposing personality and had a weak voice, his place was taken by Colonel Crafts. The most plausible explana- tion is that either James Bowdoin, President of the Council and Chairman of its Committee, or Sheriff Greenleaf read it before the Committee and assembled guests in the Council Chamber (as the Secretary would have done) and Colonel Crafts read it from the Balcony as the New England Chron- icle, the Massachusetts Spy and Mistress Abigail Adams agree. The British officer, only a short time in Boston, could easily have mixed his characters as James Bowdoin would have occupied the Chair instead of Colonel Crafts.
SATISFACTION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT (August- September, 1776)
On August 29, the Massachusetts House of Representa- tives (having assembled again on the 28th at Watertown) received a message from the Council, reading in part as follows :
"The important period has at length arrived! The Honor- able Congress have declared the United American Colonies, Free and Independent States. This declaration we have ordered to be made public, agreeable to the request of Con- gress, through every part of Massachusetts-Bay; and we shall readily concur with you, in expressing our approbation of the measure, and readiness to risque our lives and fortunes in defence and support of it."
On September 4, the House, after various postponements, made answer to the Council: "The House of Representatives have given all due attention to the message from your Honors, of the 28th ultimo, and are desirous of expressing, with a
114 MASSACHUSETTS AND INDEPENDENCY
manly fortitude, their entire satisfaction in the Declaration of Independence, made by the Honorable Congress, and pub- lished, by your Honours order, in this State. They, with great chearfulness, congratulate your Honours on the very general approbation that measure has met with, through all ranks of people, in this and the other United States of America; and are ready to pledge their fortunes, lives and sacred honour, to support it."
THE AUTHENTICATED DECLARATION (January, 1777)
On January 19, 1777, the Continental Congress ( then sitting at Baltimore) "Ordered, That an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independency, with the names of the members of Congress subscribing the same, be sent to each of the United States, and that they be desired to have the same put upon record."
This Declaration, with the names of the signers, bears the imprint, "Baltimore, in Maryland : Printed by Mary Kather- ine Goddard." It is of interest to note that this broadside, authenticated in autograph, "Attest Chas Thomson Sec"y A True Copy John Hancock Presidt ", was printed by a woman.
On January 31 the following letter, with the authenticated declaration, was sent by John Hancock to the "Honble Assembly of the State of Massachusetts Bay": "(Circular ) Baltimore Jany 31 1777.
Gentlemen,
As there is not a more distinguished Event in the History of America, than the Declaration of her Independence-nor any, that, in all Probability will so much excite the Atten- tion of future [ages] it is highly proper, that the Memory of that Transaction, together with the Causes that gave Rise to it, should be preserved in the most careful Manner that can be devised.
"I am therefore commanded by Congress to transmit you the enclosed Copy of the Act of Independence, with the List of the several Members of Congress subscribed thereto- and to request, that you will cause the same to be put upon Record, that it may henceforth form a Part of the Archives of your State, and remain a lasting Testimony of your Appro- bation of that necessary & important Measure.
--
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THE AUTHENTICATED DECLARATION
"I have the Honour to be,
Gentlemen, your most obed. & very hble Servt. John Hancock Presidt
I hope the publick dispatches of 28 & 30th
Dec' were safely deliver'd
the Express is return'd, but bro't no Letter-
Honble Assembly of the State of Massachusetts Bay."
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