Congress's Version:

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776,

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united STATES of AMERICA

was

A Declaration By the Representatives of the United States of America, In General Congress Assembled

in Jefferson's and the committee's version

Commentary:

The Delegates probaby made this change to reduce the importance of their role in declaing independence. This had a two-fold effect. It helped to avoid the representatives being viewed as a group of rebels, and it fostered a sense of unity between the states.

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Commentary Provided By: D.J. Mason