Jefferson Selected

What actually happened?: Again, the Frankford Advice carried the day. Here is John Adams' version of the outcome:

The Committee met, discussed the subject, and then appointed Mr: Jefferson & me to make the draft; I suppose, because we were the two highest on the list. The Sub-Committee met; Jefferson proposed to me to make the draft. I said 

I will not; You shall do it. 

Oh No! Why will you not? 

You ought to do it. 

I will not. 

Why? 

Reasons enough. 

What can be your reasons? 

Reason 1st. You are a Virginian, and Virginia ought to appear at the head of this business. 

Reason 2d. I am obnoxious, suspected and unpopular; You are very much otherwise. 

Reason 3d: You can write ten times better than I can. 

“Well,” said Jefferson, “if you are decided I will do as well as I can.” 

Here are the complaints mentioned in the Declaration of Independence:

• Imposing an Official Religion

• Trying to confiscate our weapons

• Quartering of soldiers in American homes

• Allowing soldiers to search our homes

• Trying American defendants in Britain

• Conducting private trials

• Using methods to force people to confess

• Taxation without representation

• The Proclamation line of 1763

• The Boston Massacre

• The Intolerable closing of the harbors

• Promoting the slave trade

HISTORIC DECISION: Were these legitimate complaints against tyranny or just excuses to declare independence?

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