Sold – The U.S. Declares Independence and a State Undertakes Self-Government

On June 21, 1776, the Provincial Congress of New Jersey determined to form a new government to replace the one that had operated under royal authority, and the day after it appointed a delegation to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia with full powers to vote for independence. On July 5, 1776, the day after its adoption, John Hancock forwarded to the waiting New Jersey Congress a copy of the Declaration of Independence. On July 18, that body adopted the Declaration, stating momentously that its members would “support the freedom and independence of the said States with our lives and fortunes, and the whole force of New Jersey.” This ended New Jersey’s days as a province. That day is also the official date of New Jersey’s statehood within the United States, with the members adopting a resolution to “assume the style and title of the Convention of the State of New Jersey.”

The new State Constitution vested governing authority in a Governor, Council (now known as the State Senate), and a General Assembly (now known as the State House of Representatives). The first legislature of the State of

New Jersey convened on August 30, 1776, and the next day the legislators elected William Livingston the first Governor. On September 13, Livingston addressed both houses of the New Jersey legislature for the first time. He denounced British despotism, oppression, rapine and corruption, and eloquently defended the need for the Declaration of Independence, saying it had been forced on America, which had waited “till the most scrupulous conscience could…find itself justified…in renouncing those tyrants.” He continued by stating that the conduct of the war was the most pressing business and urged specific measures, including the raising and maintaining of troops. Livingston ended with words of great inspiration, asserting that having been applauded for “demolishing the old fabric…Let us unitedly strive to approve ourselves Master-builders by giving beauty, strength and stability to the new.” Livingston was to prove such an effective governor that a bounty was put on his head by the enemy who devoted time and resources in an unsuccessful attempt to capture him.

John Stevens was a royal councillor who represented New Jersey as a commissioner for defining the boundary-line with New York in November 1774. Resigning his royal post in June 1776, he was from August 27, 1776 until 1782 vice-president of the Council of New Jersey, and as such presided over the joint meetings of the two branches of the legislature. He was elected to the Federal Congress in November 1783, and in December 1787 presided over the State convention that ratified the United States Constitution.

Stevens was assigned the responsibility of responding to the Governor on behalf of the Council. His first draft was read to the Council on September 17, 1776. This is that very draft, including corrections, all in his hand. The final address was delivered to the Governor eleven days later; it resides in the collections of Princeton University.

Autograph Address Signed, two pages, Princeton, September 17, 1776, to William Livingston, newly installed as the first Governor of New Jersey. "We the Council of the State of New Jersey, beg leave to congratulate your Excellency on your Accession to the government. The impartial and disinterested Part of Mankind, throughout the World, will agree…that the separation of America from Great Britain was become not only expedient and fully justifiable before God & man but inevitable…National liberty is of such unspeakable benefit and Importance to all States and an Emancipation from our late Foreign Tyranny so peculiarly pleasing to all virtuous Americans that we thank the Creator and Governor of the Universe most heartily for it as the greatest Sublunary Good his Beneficence & Wisdom could bestow upon Us. The Constitution framed by the late Convention…has, however, equitably and justly decided on most of the principal Points, whereon the Happiness of this Society depends, and therefore seems to have received general Approbation; upon so respectable and truly honorable a Bottom, supported by the People, the present Legislature is founded. They have, in the most unbiased Manner, chosen your Excellency their Governor & by that Choice, at their perilous Period, have explicitly shown how much they admire your Virtues and what Confidence they repose in your Abilities…As public men we are to know neither friend or foe, fear or affection…these are the considerations which have influenced us in the choice of such Officers as are already elected, and we trust will continue to be the rules of Action to us and our Successors. Never did Times require more economy, Industry, Patriotism and sound Manners than the present, and the Experience of all Ages with the recent Example of Great Britain have effectually taught us how necessary it is to inculcate these essential Qualities both by Precept and Example…"

This document, echoing Thomas Paine’s theme that these were the times that tried men’s souls, is docketed "Draught of an Address Brought in & first read Sept. 17, 1776." And trying times they were as the war was not going well. In late summer and fall, the Continental Army lost battles on Long Island, in New York City and at White Plains, then retreated from New York through New Jersey into Pennsylvania. In November, just a month after Stevens delivered his address, the New Jersey government was forced to flee Princeton, as the British invaded on the heels of Washington’s retreating army. Governor Livingston’s home was pillaged. However, soon the tide would turn. On Christmas 1776, Washington staged a surprise attack on Trenton, completely routing the Hessian garrison there. He followed up his success at Princeton a week later defeating British forces and managing to restore some hope for victory and independence to the fledgling nation.

In 1776, thirteen colonies became thirteen states and all went through the same process as New Jersey. Here we see graphically the public spirit, determination and selflessness that animated the people and leaders of the new United States, feel their emotions and read their thoughts and words in the immediate aftermath of the Declaration of Independence. This is a window on the time when Americans truly pledged their lives, fortunes and honor on the principle of liberty.