'... equal in 'certain inalienable rights among which are
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'
This they said, and this meant.' (Lincoln).
In June 1976 Congress appointed a committee of Five to draft a statement to the world presenting the colonies' case for independence. The committee consisted of John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The committee assigned Jefferson the task of writing the original document. After minor alterations were subsequently…
