Congress itself divided on the question of independence; what Provinces opposed to or not prepared for independence 483
Resolution for independence; long debates; postponed for three weeks, by a vote of seven to five Colonies 484
Committee to prepare a Declaration appointed 485
Three days' debates on the question of independence 485
Decision to vote by Colonies, and that the decision on each _question should be reported to the world as unanimous_, whatever might be the votes in Congress 486
On the question of independence, _six_ Colonies were in the affirmative and _six_ in the negative; how Pennsylvania was brought over to vote for independence, by one of its members being induced to absent himself; and how the votes of other Colonies were obtained for the affirmative (in a note) 486
The Declaration of Independence reported, discussed, amended, and adopted, but not unanimously, though so reported (in a note) 487
Remarks on the voting of Congress on the Declaration of Independence 487
Copy of the Declaration of Independence 488
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE DISCUSSED. 492-517
The Author's sympathy with the Colonists, and advocacy of their rights as British subjects, and their right to defend them by force of arms 492
Preliminary remarks on the impolicy and injustice to many thousands on both sides of the Atlantic of the Declaration of Independence 493
The pure and exalted character of the advocates of Colonial rights, and high eulogy upon them and their descendants, by the Earls of Chatham and Shelburne, both of whom were opposed to the separation of the Colonies from the mother country 494
Homage to the motives and patriotism of the fathers of American Independence; the provocation which they had received; the successes of the Colonists on the field of battle before the Declaration of Independence, and their disasters afterwards; but for having committed themselves to such Declaration, they would to all appearance have obtained within a twelvemonth all they had desired, without the shedding of blood, without the unnatural alliance with France, much less a war of seven years 495
I. The Declaration of Independence a renunciation of all the principles on which the General Congress, Provincial Legislatures and Convention professed to act from the beginning of the contest; proofs and illustrations 496