"MOST MEMORABLE EPOCH IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA"

LEE RESOLUTION ASSERTING COLONIES' INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN PASSED BY CONGRESS

 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) 250 years ago today, July 2, 1776, "The Resolution for Independence" was passed by the Second Continental Congress asserting that the Thirteen "United Colonies" are "free and independent" of Great Britain.

The Lee Resolution, proposed by Richard Henry Lee* of Virginia on June 7, 1776, 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 connections between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

John Adams of Massachusetts, in a letter to his wife Abigail, dated July 3, 1776 wrote...

"The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am  apt to believe that it will be celebrated...with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations."

Mr. Adams was so right about the celebrations, he just missed the date by 2 days.  We celebrate the date the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress, July 4th, rather than the date the Resolution of Independence was passed, July 2nd.

*Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was born at Stratford Hall, Virginia & served in the Virginia House of Burgesses 1758-1776, as president of the Continental Congress (one year term) & in the U.S. Senate 1789-1792.

 

 

Portrait of Richard Henry Lee

by Charles Wilson Peale

National Portrait Gallery

Washington, D.C.

"TO IMPRESS THE IROQUOIS WITH U.S. STRENGTH"

AMERICAN ARMY HOLDS PARADE IN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia (JFK+50) On May 27, 1776, the American army held a parade of 2000 to 3000 soldiers here in Philadelphia in hopes of impressing the Iroquois with "the strength of the United States."

Four of the Six Nations viewed the parade.  The Native Americans were being lodged on the second floor of the Pennsylvania State House.

Richard Henry Lee*, who reported on the parade, hoped "to secure the friendship" of the Iroquois people.

JFK+50 NOTE

The government of Great Britain under King George III was also courting the Indians "to distress the Americans." 

*Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was best known for his resolution of June 1776 calling for independence from Great Britain.  RHL served in the Virginia House of Burgesses 1758-1776, in the Confederation Congress 1784-1787 & in the U.S. Senate 1789-1792.

SOURCE

"May 27, 1776:  Six Nations Meet with Continental Congress," Nations and Cannons, www.nationsandcannons.com/ 

 

 

Richard Henry Lee

by Charles Wilson Peale

National Portrait Gallery

ALL POLITICAL CONNECTION WITH GREAT BRITAIN OUGHT TO BE TOTALLY DISSOLVED

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1973

INDEPENDENCE RESOLUTION PROPOSED 240 YEARS AGO TODAY

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) Two hundred forty years ago today, June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee*, a Virginia delegate to the Second Continental Congress meeting here in Philadelphia, offered a resolution stating "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."

The Resolution continued...

"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."

The proposed resolution led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence which was adopted on July 4, 1776.  Richard Henry Lee was one of the signers of that historic document.

Mr. Lee is described as "tall, thin and aristocratic in appearance," and as "a born orator."  He always wrapped his hand, which had been injured in a hunting accident, in black silk.

*Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.  His father served as Governor of Virginia.  RHL became a Justice of the Peace in 1757 & in 1758 was elected to the House of Burgesses.  He was one of the 1st to create a Committee of Correspondence.

RHL served as president of the Congress under the Articles of Confederation in 1784-85 & as a member of the United States Senate 1789-1792.

SOURCE

"Richard Henry Lee,"  Stratford Hall, www.stratfordhall.org/

Richard Henry Lee

National Portrait Gallery

Washington, D.C.

Photo by Bill Hathorn (2011)

www.commons.wikimedia.org/