White-Plains, July 9, 1776. In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York. Resolved unanimously, that the reasons assigned by the Continental Congress, for declaring the united colonies free and independent states, are cogent and conclusive ... Extract from the minutes, Robert Benson, secretary. In Congress, July 4, 1776. A declaration by the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled
Alternative Title
Declaration of Independence.
Creator
United States, author
Contributor
McKesson, John, 1734-1798, annotator Holt, John, 1721-1784, printer United States. Continental Congress, author New York (State). Convention of the Representatives (1776-1777), author New York (Colony). Provincial Congress
Copy of John Holt's broadside of the Declaration of Independence with the "Extract from the Minutes" containing the draft version of the resolution of the Fourth Provincial Congress of New York approving the Declaration of Independence; attested by Robert Benson (1739-1823), a secretary of the Fourth Provincial Congress in White Plains. With manuscript annotations by John McKesson (1734-1798), another secretary of the Fourth Provincial Congress in White Plains.
Within an elaborate border of type ornaments; the Declaration of Independence is printed in two columns separated by a line of ornaments. The typeset is similar to the broadside that Holt published on July 11, 1776, as an insert in that day's issue of "The New York Journal or General Advertiser.”
The manuscript notes on the verso are drafts of the minutes taken on the morning and afternoon of July 9, 1776. The morning entry documents the seating of the delegates from Cumberland County, and the afternoon entry, the tally of the votes for the resolution approving the Declaration of Independence. The annotations on the recto expand and amend the text of the resolution to include the clause authorizing the New York delegates at the Second Continental Congress to vote for "all such measures as they may deem conducive to the happiness & welfare of the United States of America." The last note is dated July 30, 1776 and describes the seating of the delegates from Gloucester County. The instructions issued by the Provincial Congress to the New York delegates in the Second Continental Congress banned them from voting on any measure that would entail severing ties with Great Britain. This directive was overridden on July 9, 1776, by the unanimous resolution of the Fourth Provincial Congress that formally approved of the Declaration. On the next day, the Congress reconstituted itself as the Convention of Representatives.
United States. Declaration of Independence United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783 United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Sources New York (State)--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Sources Broadsides United States 18th century. (rbgenr) Manuscripts (documents) United States 18th century. (aat) Minutes (administrative records) New York (State) 18th century. (aat)
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