The Path to Independence: Richard Henry Lee’s Pivotal Role
I love America, I love freedom, and I love living in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia played an essential role in the formation of our country, and I could spend this entire post writing about all the notable Virginians throughout the history of the United States.
Still, it’s July 4, and nobody wants to read a 1,000-word Substack when friends are over, burgers are on the grill, and fireworks are about to start.
Today, as we celebrate our nation’s independence, I want to highlight one Virginian who played a crucial role in our journey to freedom: Richard Henry Lee.
On June 7, 1776, Lee introduced a resolution that set out a path for our American colonies to gain independence. This resolution was the spark that ignited the creation of the Declaration of Independence. The resolution stated:
"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 connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation."
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Lee’s resolution led to the creation of the “Committee of Five,” comprised of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. This committee was tasked with drafting a formal declaration of independence.
The committee quickly determined that Thomas Jefferson should write the first draft. Jefferson, known for his eloquent writing and profound understanding of Enlightenment ideals, began drafting his version of the Declaration of Independence on June 11, 1776.
After Jefferson completed his draft, the Committee of Five made some revisions and presented the declaration to Congress for review. Congress then made further revisions, and the final document that we celebrate today was approved on July 4, 1776.
Today, remember the patriots, like Richard Henry Lee, who signed the Declaration of Independence and pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for our nation.
Happy 4th of July!
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Massachusetts: John Hancock
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple
Massachusetts: Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire: Matthew Thornton