The colonies had already voted for freedom from British rule, but debates over slavery held up the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence
, affirmed that men had the right to “the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.”
With the Declaration of Independence drafted, Congress was ready to debate Lee’s resolution for independence. But a test vote conducted on July 1 was anything but unanimous. Pennsylvania and South Carolina hoped there was still a chance to reconcile with Britain; they voted against independence. Delaware’s delegation was split. And New York abstained—its delegates were under ordersThe next day, on July 2, the delegates tried again. This time, the vote had a different outcome.
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