Page 77 - JM Book 9/2020

of has already been forged by our common desire for freedom, the work of this Congress, and the cooperation of all the colonies to fight our common enemy. A delay of one more day will not serve the best interest of America,” he said. Turning to face Dickinson, he continued: “If it is not for our freedom, then why have we been fighting British troops this past year? Independence is our motivation and self-government is our goal.”
The last person to request permission to speak was Richard Henry Lee. “You may begin,” Hancock said as he nodded his head at Lee.
“Why still deliberate?” Lee said as his eyes scanned the delegates. “Let this happy day give birth to an American republic. Let her arise not to devastate and to conquer, but to reestablish the reign of peace and law. The eyes of Europe are fixed on us; she demands of us a living example of freedom that may exhibit a contrast . . . to the ever-increasing tyranny that desolates her polluted shores. She invites us to prepare an asylum, where the unhappy may find solace, and the persecuted repose.”
By late afternoon the debate had ended. Someone called for a vote of the committee of the whole.
Chairman Harrison instructed Charles Thomson to call the roll. When the votes were counted, nine colonies voted for the Virginia Resolution; Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted “nay.” The Delaware vote was evenly divided among its delegates. As expected, the New York delegates abstained from voting.
Harrison reported to President Hancock that agreement on the Virginia Resolution had been postponed. Hancock adjourned the session at six o’clock. Before he left, John Adams leaned over and spoke to his cousin: “What is the reason New York is still asleep or dead? Have they no sense, no feeling, no sentiment, no passion? Is there anything in the air and soil of New York
unfriendly to the spirit of liberty?”
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