was approved JULY 4, 1776. John Hancock signed first, saying "the
price on my head has just doubled." Benjamin Franklin said "We must hang
together or most assuredly we shall hang separately." Of the 56 signers: 17
served in the military; 11 had their homes destroyed; 5 were hunted and
captured; Abraham Clark had two sons imprisoned on the British starving ship
Jersey; John Witherspoon's son was killed in battle; Francis Lewis' wife was
imprisoned and died from the harsh treatment; many, such as Thomas Nelson and
Carter Braxton, lost their fortunes; and 9 died during the War. When Samuel
Adams signed the Declaration, he said: "We have this day
restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven
and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."
John Adams wrote: "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. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shews,
games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one End of this
Continent to the other from this time forward forever more." John Adams
continued: "You will think me transported with enthusiasm but I am not. I am
well aware of the toil and blood and treasure, that 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. I can see that the end is more
than worth all the means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days
Transaction, even although we should rue (regret) it, which I trust in God We shall
not."
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