USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Written in June 1776, Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence, included eighty-six changes made later by John Adams (1735–1826), Benjamin Franklin 1706–1790), other members of the committee appointed to draft the document, and by Congress.

Detailed explanation-2: -The document was drafted by a committee made up of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson, recognized for his ability with words, wrote the first draft; then it was edited by the others, and then edited again by the whole Congress.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Committee of Five On June 11, 1776, Congress appointed a “Committee of Five", consisting of John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, to draft a declaration.

Detailed explanation-4: -Although Jefferson disputed his account, John Adams later recalled that he had persuaded Jefferson to write the draft because Jefferson had the fewest enemies in Congress and was the best writer. (Jefferson would have gotten the job anyway-he was elected chair of the committee.)

Detailed explanation-5: -One might reasonably ask why the Committee asked Jefferson to write the first draft. It was decided by the group that each member would vote their choice. Jefferson came in first and Adams second. Except for Livingston, Jefferson was the youngest of the members at thirty-three.