Celebrating & Commemorating America 250
- libertyencounters
- Jul 2
- 5 min read
On July 1st, 1776, delegates from 13 British North American Colonies sweltered in the mosquito ridden, bustling city of Philadelphia and sought a unanimous declaration from the British Crown.
Dr. Paul Jehle of the Plymouth Rock Foundation (www.plymrock.org) recently published an incredible book in time for America's 250th Anniversary entitled, Declaring Liberty: Is the Declaration of Independence still Relevant Today? He does a marvelous job of bringing the events from 250 years ago to life! Dr. Jehle recounts the speech by John Adams with the quote on the image for independence and gives the following account:
"Dr. Jehle recounts the speech by John Adams with the quote on the image for independence and gives the following account:
Then, Rev. John Witherspoon, a newly appointed delegate with fiery boldness, stared at the New York delegation and said in his nasal tone of voice: 'the distinguished gentlemen of Massachusetts remarked as we came in that the colonies are ripe for independence, I would like to add that some colonies (looking at New York) are rotten for want of it!' Sam Adams immediately shouted 'hear, hear' but was brought to order by the clerk.
The clerk then called the roll. Massachusetts (four stood unanimous for independence). New Hampshire (unanimous), Rhode Island (unanimous), Connecticut (unanimous). New York (no one stood up). Pennsylvania (4 to 3 in the negative). New Jersey (yes), Delaware (split - thus a no). Maryland (yes by letter). Virginia (yes), Georgia (yes), North Carolina (yes), and South Carolina (no). Thus, by a vote of 9 to 4, the colonies had approved independence in a practice straw vote.
John and Sam Adams, among others, went home that day knowing that a miracle must take place before the official vote was taken the next day. From the afternoon of the 1st, until a little after noon on the 2nd, a providential miracle that brought unanimity for independence took place.
Dickinson and Morris stayed home, which gave Pennsylvania a majority for independence. This was an example of the Christian convictions of Dickinson... They (the Founders) were far more united than the partisan politics we often witness in our day due to the common theology from the Bible they shared and ultimately desiring the same goal."
T.H. Leighty, in his article "The Indelible Caesar Rodney" in the Journal of the American Revolution at https://allthingsliberty.com/2024/09/the-indelible-caesar-rodney/, gives the following details:
Caesar Rodney of Delaware, who was recovering from facial cancer that required surgery that removed part of his nose and was battling asthma, had received an urgent request from Thomas McKean to return to Philadelphia. Rodney galloped on horseback and by carriage 80 miles over 15 streams and creeks from Dover. Striding into Independence Hall, he stated, “As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence, my own judgement concurs with them. I vote for independence.” Exhausted, he then slumped into his chair. Rodney's ride galvanized the South Carolina Delegation to change their vote!
Dr. Jehle summarizes, "New York seemed to be the problem, until instructions were received to vote for independence, and thus its vote was promised and assured. Twelve for, one promise coming - a unanimous vote! With relief and a burden lifted, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail the next day:
The Second of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty… With pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other from this time forward forevermore… I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even altho we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not… I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States… yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory.”
Please see the video for celebratory firing of firelocks!
Defending the States was certainly on the mind of those at the Continental Congress! The “London of the South” of Charlestown (Charleston), South Carolina had won a smashing victory on June 28th, in repulsing the British Army and Navy. A stiff wind had driven up water to stop British soldiers from crossing o’er the harbor at low tide and prevented 9 British frigates from sailing behind an uncompleted, palmetto log Fort Sullivan. Instead, a determined defense and the courage of Sergeant William Jasper had saved Charlestown from the British attack! The New York Campaign at ouramericanrevolution.org describes the military situation for Washington’s Army. On July 2nd, July 1776, Britain's answer to the evacuation of Boston in March was felt. 9,000 well-equipped regulars, or professionals, landed on Staten Island outside of New York City. They were transported on a fleet of 130 ships. By the end of the month, 31,000 a fleet of 10 ships-of-the-line, 20 frigates, hundreds of other vessels, and 10,000 sailors. Washington had less than 20,000 troops, mainly inexperienced, part-time, temporary citizen soldiers known as militia men, and not a single naval vessel.
George Washington’s General Order to Continental Army, July 2nd, 1776, reminded the Patriot Soldiery what was at stake:
"The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army—Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect—We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die: Our own Country’s Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world—Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions—The Eyes of all our Countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the Tyranny meditated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and shew the whole world, that a Freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth."
It is humbling to consider that WE, 250 years later, are those that Washington referenced as the "unborn Millions." May we follow that same exhortation to "animate and encourage each other" as we remember the words of Thomas Jefferson who wrote "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
As the Declaration of Independence would conclude, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
As the United States of America celebrates and commemorates the 250th Anniversary of this Declaration, may we do the same!
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