The Lee Resolution, 7 June, 1776 “These United Colonies Are …Free & Independent”

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1776

The committee to whom was referred the letter from Eseck Hopkins, commodore of the continental fleet, dated Providence, May 22d, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Mr. Charles Walker, of New Providence, ought to be paid the value of the sloopEndeavour, together with four tons of lignum vital, and one hundred cedar posts, taken by the said commodore, for the use of the colonies, and the damages the said Walker has sustained by the taking and detention of said vessel, lignum vitæ and posts; the said Walker giving a full acquittance for the said vessel, goods and damages.

Resolved, That the governorand Council of the colony of Connecticut be requested to appoint judicious and indifferent different persons to appraise the vessel and goods aforesaid, at the time when they were taken into the service of the colonies, and to estimate the full damages sustained by the said Mr. Walker, and report it to this Congress forthwith, that the said Walker may be indemnified by this Congress.

Resolved, That the said Walker have his election to receive his vessel again, and the hire of her, and his damages, or the value of her to be ascertained as aforesaid.

The Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on the resolutions of the convention of South Carolina, respecting the batallions raised in that colony; and, after some debate,

Resolved, That it be recommitted.

Information being given that complaint is made with respect to the powder manufactured at Mr. O[swald] Eve’s mill:

Resolved, That Mr. [Henry] Wisher, Mr. [Robert Treat] Paine, and Mr. R[obert R.] Livingston be a committee to enquire into the defect, and take measures to have it remedied.

Certain resolutions ∥respecting independency∥ being moved and seconded,

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.²

[Note 2: 2 This resolution, in the writing of Richard Henry Lee, is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 11. It has the following endorsement in three writings: “Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Com. that the first Resolution [Benjamin Harrison] be postponed to this day three weeks, and that in the mean time [Charles Thomson], least any time shd be lost in case the Congress agree to this resolution [Robert R. Livingston], a committee be appointed to prepare a Declaration to the effect of the said first resolution [Charles Thomson].” The postponement was made to give an opportunity to the Delegates from those Colonies which had not as yet given authority to adopt this decisive measure, to consult their constituents. The motion was seconded by John Adams.]

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