Your favor of the 22nd last month, with a copy of the journal of the Congress at New-York in october 1765, printed in the Baltimore register, came safe to hand. Not having heard of this publication, I had the proceedings of that body (not the whole) reprinted here about two months ago, from a copy I found in the 1st Vol. of “American tracts” (contained in four volumes octavo) edited by J Almon, of London, in 1767. Such an important transaction should not be unknown to the future historian, I recollect what passed in Congress, in the beginning of July 1776, respecting Independence; it was not as you have conceived. On monday the 1st of July, the question was taken in the committee of the whole, when the state of Pennsylvania (represented by seven gentlemen then present) voted against it: Delaware (having then only two representatives present) was divided; all the other states voted in favor of it. Whereupon, without delay, I sent an express (at my private expense) for your honored uncle Cæsar Rodney Esquire, the remaining member for Delaware, whom I met at the state-house door, in his boots and spurs, as the members were assembling; after a friendly salutation (without a word on the business) we went into the hall of Congress together, and found we were among the latest; proceedings1 immediately commenced, and after a few minutes the great question was put, when the vote for Delaware was called, your uncle arose and said; “as I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of Independence & my own judgement concurs with them, I vote for Independence,”2 or in words to the same effect. The state of Pennsylvania on the 4th of July (there being only five members present, Messrs Dickinson and Morris, who had in the committee of the whole voted against Independence were absent) voted for it; three to two, Messrs3 Willing and Humphries in the negative. Unanimity in the thirteen states, an all important point, on so great an occasion, was thus obtained; the dissension of a single state might have produced very dangerous consequences. Now that I am on this subject, I will tell you some truths not generally known. In the printed public journal of Congress for 1776. vol. 2nd. it would appear, that the declaration of Independence was signed on the 4th of July by the members whose names are there inserted, but the fact is not so, for no person signed it on that day, nor for many days after, and among the names subscribed, one was against it, Mr Read, and seven were not in Congress on that day, namely, Messrs Morris, Rush, Clymer, Smith, Taylor, and Ross of Pennsylvania,4 and Mr Thornton of New-Hampshire; nor were the six gentlemen last named, at that time members; the five for Pennsylvania were appointed Delegates by the Convention of that state on the 20th of July, and Mr Thornton entered Congress for the first time on the 4th of November following: when the names of5 Wisner of New-York, and Thomas McKean of Delaware are not printed as subscribers, though both were present, and voted for Independence.

Here false colours are certainly hung out; there is culpability somewhere. What I can offer as an apology or explanation is; that on the 4th of July 1776 the declaration of Independence was ordered to be ingrossed on parchment, and then to be signed; and I have been told, that a resolve had passed a few [days] after; and was entered on the secret journal, tha[t] no person should have a seat in Congress during that session,6 until he should have signed the declaration, in order (as I have been given to understand) to prevent traitors or spies from worming themselves amongst us. I was not in Congress after the 4th for some months, haveing marched with my regiment of associators of this city, as Colonel, to support General Washington until a flying camp of ten thousand men was completed. When the associators were discharged I returned to Philadelphia, took my seat in Congress and then signed the declaration of Independence on parchment. Two days after I went to New-Castle, joined the Convention, for forming a constitution for the future goverment of the state of Delaware, (having been elected a member for New-Castle county) which I wrote in a tavern, without a book or any assistance.

You may rely on the accuracy of the foregoing relation. It is full time to print and publish the secret journal of Congress during the revolution.

I have thus answered your request and [trust it] may reform errors. Accept dear sir my b[es]t wishes for your hapiness

Thomas McKean