3/25 A committee was appointed to draw up a declaration. Adopted by Congress in 1777.] [Sidenote: The Great Declaration, adopted July 4, 1776. _Higginson_, 194-201; _McMaster_, 131-135; _Source-Book_, 147-149.] [Sidenote: Signing of the Declaration, August 2, 1776.] 146. The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 .-- The most important members of this committee were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Of these Jefferson was the youngest, and the least known. |