Lee Resolution for Independence
6/7/1776
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Acting under the instruction of the Virginia Convention, Richard Henry Lee, ranking delegate from Virginia, read from this paper when he formally proposed independence in the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776.
The Lee Resolution contained three parts: a declaration of independence, a call to form foreign alliances, and "a plan for confederation." On June 11, the Continental Congress appointed three concurrent committees: one to draft a declaration of independence, a second to draw up a plan "for forming foreign alliances," and a third to "prepare and digest the form of a confederation."
Because many members of the Continental Congress believed what Lee proposed to be premature or wanted instructions from their colonies before voting, approval was deferred until July 2. On that date, the Continental Congress adopted the first part (the declaration), resolving that the colonies were independent; two days later it adopted the Declaration of Independence.
The plan for making treaties was not approved until September of 1776; the plan of confederation was delayed until November of 1777.
This document was featured in “Rough Journal Page Documenting Ratification and Final Page of the Treaty of Paris, 1783” in the September 2008 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Because many members of the Continental Congress believed what Lee proposed to be premature or wanted instructions from their colonies before voting, approval was deferred until July 2. On that date, the Continental Congress adopted the first part (the declaration), resolving that the colonies were independent; two days later it adopted the Declaration of Independence.
The plan for making treaties was not approved until September of 1776; the plan of confederation was delayed until November of 1777.
This document was featured in “Rough Journal Page Documenting Ratification and Final Page of the Treaty of Paris, 1783” in the September 2008 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) publication Social Education.
Transcript
Resolved [words crossed out] 11That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
12
resolved that it is the opinion of the Com the the first resolution be postponed to this buy three weeks and that in the meantime a committee be appointed to prepare a Declaration to the effect of the said first resolution
- least anytime to be lost in care the Congress agree to this resolution
June 7 1776 No 4
Resolution moved
June 7th 1776
resolved for consideration
till to morrow
respecting Independence
of the US -
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
National Archives Identifier: 301684
Full Citation: Lee Resolution for Independence; 6/7/1776; Reports on Administrative Affairs of the Congress; Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/lee-resolution-independence, March 27, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
