Declaration of Independence, 1776 - copy of final draft, pg. 2

4 pages. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.

Thomas Jefferson was never happy with the edits made by Continental Congress to his Declaration of Independence. Following a unanimous vote by Congress on 4 July 1776, Jefferson wrote out copies of the original version of his Declaration (now lost) to five or six friends.

This version, one of only two that are complete (the other is owned by the New York Public Library), was presented to Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress, on 8 July 1776.

The failure of the Loyalists to flock to the royal standard cannot be understood without appreciating how effectively they had been locked down and neutralized by the patriots. Loyalists could not buy, sell, or bequeath property or other assets. They were barred from all legal recourse to recover debts or redress any other injury. They could not practice law or teach unless they had taken an oath of allegiance to the cause. They could not be executors of estates or be a guardian to a child. Any person who wrote, or spoke, or by any act libeled or defamed Congress ... should be brought to trial.

— Michael Stephenson

Patriot Battles: How the War of Independence Was Fought (2007)