Patriot Officials Read the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Soldiers

1823 facsimile of Timothy Matlack’s engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence, WikiCommons.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Plan of the city of New York, in North America: surveyed in the years 1766 and 1767” New York Public Library Digital Collections.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. “House in which Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence” New York Public Library Digital Collections.

As the showdown for New York City loomed, Washington wished to inspire his soldiers, most of them untested militia and new Continental recruits, to fortify their resolve in the coming battle. On 9 July 1776, Washington assembled the majority of his troops at various public spaces around New York City to hear officials read aloud the Declaration of Independence, underscoring the principles at stake for the coming battle.

"The General hopes this important Event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer, and soldier, to act with Fidelity and Courage, as knowing that now the peace and safety of his Country depends (under God) solely on the success of our arms: And that he is now in the service of a State, possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit, and advance him to the highest Honors of a free Country."

General George Washington, General Orders, 9 July 1776.

Sources

www.founders.archives.gov

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