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TheDeclarationofIndependence:AHistory

Nationscomeintobeinginmanyways.Militaryrebellion.civilstrife.actsofheroism.actsoftreachery.athousandgreaterandlesserclashesbetweendefendersoftheoldorderandsupportersofthenew--alltheseoccurrencesandmorehavemarkedtheemergencesofnewnations.largeandsmall.Thebirthofourownnationincludedthemall.Thatbirthwasunique.notonlyintheimmensityofitslaterimpactonthecourseofworldhistoryandthegrowthofdemocracy.butalsobecausesomanyofthethreadsinournationalhistoryrunbackthroughtimetocometogetherinoneplace.inonetime.andinonedocument:theDeclarationofIndependence.
MovingTowardIndependence

Theclearestcallforindependenceuptothesummerof1776cameinPhiladelphiaonJune7.OnthatdateinsessioninthePennsylvaniaStateHouse(laterIndependenceHall).theContinentalCongressheardRichardHenryLeeofVirginiareadhisresolutionbeginning:"Resolved:ThattheseUnitedColoniesare.andofrightoughttobe.freeandindependentStates.thattheyareabsolvedfromallallegiancetotheBritishCrown.andthatallpoliticalconnectionbetweenthemandtheStateofGreatBritainis.andoughttobe.totallydissolved."
TheLeeResolutionwasanexpressionofwhatwasalreadybeginningtohappenthroughoutthecolonies.WhentheSecondContinentalCongress.whichwasessentiallythegovernmentoftheUnitedStatesfrom1775to1788.firstmetinMay1775.KingGeorgeIIIhadnotrepliedtothepetitionforredressofgrievancesthathehadbeensentbytheFirstContinentalCongress.TheCongressgraduallytookontheresponsibilitiesofanationalgovernment.InJune1775theCongressestablishedtheContinentalArmyaswellasacontinentalcurrency.BytheendofJulyofthatyear.itcreatedapostofficeforthe"UnitedColonies."
InAugust1775aroyalproclamationdeclaredthattheKing'sAmericansubjectswere"engagedinopenandavowedrebellion."Laterthatyear.ParliamentpassedtheAmericanProhibitoryAct.whichmadeallAmericanvesselsandcargoesforfeittotheCrown.AndinMay1776theCongresslearnedthattheKinghadnegotiatedtreatieswithGermanstatestohiremercenariestofightinAmerica.TheweightoftheseactionscombinedtoconvincemanyAmericansthatthemothercountrywastreatingthecoloniesasaforeignentity.
Onebyone.theContinentalCongresscontinuedtocutthecolonies'tiestoBritain.ThePrivateeringResolution.passedinMarch1776.allowedthecolonists"tofitoutarmedvesselstocruize[sic]ontheenemiesoftheseUnitedColonies."OnApril6.1776.Americanportswereopenedtocommercewithothernations.anactionthatseveredtheeconomictiesfosteredbytheNavigationActs.A"ResolutionfortheFormationofLocalGovernments"waspassedonMay10.1776.
Atthesametime.moreofthecoloniststhemselveswerebecomingconvincedoftheinevitabilityofindependence.ThomasPaine'sCommonSense.publishedinJanuary1776.wassoldbythethousands.BythemiddleofMay1776.eightcolonieshaddecidedthattheywouldsupportindependence.OnMay15.1776.theVirginiaConventionpassedaresolutionthat"thedelegatesappointedtorepresentthiscolonyinGeneralCongressbeinstructedtoproposetothatrespectablebodytodeclaretheUnitedColoniesfreeandindependentstates."
ItwasinkeepingwiththeseinstructionsthatRichardHenryLee.onJune7.1776.presentedhisresolution.Therewerestillsomedelegates.however.includingthoseboundbyearlierinstructions.whowishedtopursuethepathofreconciliationwithBritain.OnJune11considerationoftheLeeResolutionwaspostponedbyavoteofsevencoloniestofive.withNewYorkabstaining.Congressthenrecessedfor3weeks.ThetoneofthedebateindicatedthatattheendofthattimetheLeeResolutionwouldbeadopted.BeforeCongressrecessed.therefore.aCommitteeofFivewasappointedtodraftastatementpresentingtotheworldthecolonies'caseforindependence.
TheCommitteeofFive

ThecommitteeconsistedoftwoNewEnglandmen.JohnAdamsofMassachusettsandRogerShermanofConnecticut;twomenfromtheMiddleColonies.BenjaminFranklinofPennsylvaniaandRobertR.LivingstonofNewYork;andonesoutherner.ThomasJeffersonofVirginia.In1823Jeffersonwrotethattheothermembersofthecommittee"unanimouslypressedonmyselfalonetoundertakethedraught[sic].Iconsented;Idrewit;butbeforeIreportedittothecommitteeIcommunicateditseparatelytoDr.FranklinandMr.Adamsrequestingtheircorrections...Ithenwroteafaircopy.reportedittothecommittee.andfromthem.unalteredtotheCongress."(IfJeffersondidmakea"faircopy."incorporatingthechangesmadebyFranklinandAdams.ithasnotbeenpreserved.ItmayhavebeenthecopythatwasamendedbytheCongressandusedforprinting.butinanycase.ithasnotsurvived.Jefferson'sroughdraft.however.withchangesmadebyFranklinandAdams.aswellasJefferson'sownnotesofchangesbytheCongress.ishousedattheLibraryofCongress.)
Jefferson'saccountreflectsthreestagesinthelifeoftheDeclaration:thedocumentoriginallywrittenbyJefferson;thechangestothatdocumentmadebyFranklinandAdams.resultingintheversionthatwassubmittedbytheCommitteeofFivetotheCongress;andtheversionthatwaseventuallyadopted.
OnJuly1.1776.Congressreconvened.Thefollowingday.theLeeResolutionforindependencewasadoptedby12ofthe13colonies.NewYorknotvoting.Immediatelyafterward.theCongressbegantoconsidertheDeclaration.AdamsandFranklinhadmadeonlyafewchangesbeforethecommitteesubmittedthedocument.ThediscussioninCongressresultedinsomealterationsanddeletions.butthebasicdocumentremainedJefferson's.TheprocessofrevisioncontinuedthroughallofJuly3andintothelatemorningofJuly4.Then.atlast.churchbellsrangoutoverPhiladelphia;theDeclarationhadbeenofficiallyadopted.
TheDeclarationofIndependenceismadeupoffivedistinctparts:theintroduction;thepreamble;thebody.whichcanbedividedintotwosections;andaconclusion.Theintroductionstatesthatthisdocumentwill"declare"the"causes"thathavemadeitnecessaryfortheAmericancoloniestoleavetheBritishEmpire.Havingstatedintheintroductionthatindependenceisunavoidable.evennecessary.thepreamblesetsoutprinciplesthatwerealreadyrecognizedtobe"self-evident"bymost18th-centuryEnglishmen.closingwiththestatementthat"alongtrainofabusesandusurpations...evincesadesigntoreduce[apeople]underabsoluteDespotism.itistheirright.itistheirduty.tothrowoffsuchGovernment.andtoprovidenewGuardsfortheirfuturesecurity."ThefirstsectionofthebodyoftheDeclarationgivesevidenceofthe"longtrainofabusesandusurpations"heapeduponthecolonistsbyKingGeorgeIII.Thesecondsectionofthebodystatesthatthecolonistshadappealedinvaintotheir"Britishbrethren"foraredressoftheirgrievances.HavingstatedtheconditionsthatmadeindependencenecessaryandhavingshownthatthoseconditionsexistedinBritishNorthAmerica.theDeclarationconcludesthat"theseUnitedColoniesare.andofRightoughttobeFreeandIndependentStates;thattheyareAbsolvedfromallAllegiancetotheBritishCrown.andthatallpoliticalconnectionbetweenthemandtheStateofGreatBritain.isandoughttobetotallydissolved."
AlthoughCongresshadadoptedtheDeclarationsubmittedbytheCommitteeofFive.thecommittee'staskwasnotyetcompleted.Congresshadalsodirectedthatthecommitteesupervisetheprintingoftheadopteddocument.ThefirstprintedcopiesoftheDeclarationofIndependencewereturnedoutfromtheshopofJohnDunlap.officialprintertotheCongress.AftertheDeclarationhadbeenadopted.thecommitteetooktoDunlapthemanuscriptdocument.possiblyJefferson's"faircopy"ofhisroughdraft.OnthemorningofJuly5.copiesweredispatchedbymembersofCongresstovariousassemblies.conventions.andcommitteesofsafetyaswellastothecommandersofContinentaltroops.AlsoonJuly5.acopyoftheprintedversionoftheapprovedDeclarationwasinsertedintothe"roughjournal"oftheContinentalCongressforJuly4.Thetextwasfollowedbythewords"SignedbyOrderandinBehalfoftheCongress.JohnHancock.President.Attest.CharlesThomson.Secretary."ItisnotknownhowmanycopiesJohnDunlapprintedonhisbusynightofJuly4.Thereare26copiesknowntoexistofwhatiscommonlyreferredtoas"theDunlapbroadside."21ownedbyAmericaninstitutions.2byBritishinstitutions.and3byprivateowners.(SeeAppendixA.)
TheEngrossedDeclaration

OnJuly9theactionofCongresswasofficiallyapprovedbytheNewYorkConvention.All13colonieshadnowsignifiedtheirapproval.OnJuly19.therefore.CongresswasabletoorderthattheDeclarationbe"fairlyengrossedonparchment.withthetitleandstile[sic]of'TheunanimousdeclarationofthethirteenUnitedStatesofAmerica.'andthatthesame.whenengrossed.besignedbyeverymemberofCongress."
Engrossingistheprocessofpreparinganofficialdocumentinalarge.clearhand.TimothyMatlackwasprobablytheengrosseroftheDeclaration.HewasaPennsylvanianwhohadassistedtheSecretaryoftheCongress.CharlesThomson.inhisdutiesforoverayearandwhohadwrittenoutGeorgeWashington'scommissionascommandinggeneraloftheContinentalArmy.Matlacksettoworkwithpen.ink.parchment.andpracticedhand.andfinally.onAugust2.thejournaloftheContinentalCongressrecordsthat"Thedeclarationofindependencebeingengrossedandcomparedatthetablewassigned."OneofthemostwidelyheldmisconceptionsabouttheDeclarationisthatitwassignedonJuly4.1776.byallthedelegatesinattendance.
JohnHancock.thePresidentoftheCongress.wasthefirsttosignthesheetofparchmentmeasuring24¼by29¾inches.Heusedaboldsignaturecenteredbelowthetext.Inaccordancewithprevailingcustom.theotherdelegatesbegantosignattherightbelowthetext.theirsignaturesarrangedaccordingtothegeographiclocationofthestatestheyrepresented.NewHampshire.thenorthernmoststate.beganthelist.andGeorgia.thesouthernmost.endedit.Eventually56delegatessigned.althoughallwerenotpresentonAugust2.AmongthelatersignerswereElbridgeGerry.OliverWolcott.LewisMorris.ThomasMcKean.andMatthewThornton.whofoundthathehadnoroomtosignwiththeotherNewHampshiredelegates.AfewdelegateswhovotedforadoptionoftheDeclarationonJuly4werenevertosigninspiteoftheJuly19orderofCongressthattheengrosseddocument"besignedbyeverymemberofCongress."NonsignersincludedJohnDickinson.whoclungtotheideaofreconciliationwithBritain.andRobertR.Livingston.oneoftheCommitteeofFive.whothoughttheDeclarationwaspremature.
ParchmentandInk

Overthenext200years.thenationwhosebirthwasannouncedwithaDeclaration"fairlyengrossedonparchment"wastoshowimmensegrowthinarea.population.economicpower.andsocialcomplexityandalastingcommitmenttoatestingandstrengtheningofitsdemocracy.Butwhatoftheparchmentitself?Howwasittofareoverthecourseoftwocenturies?
InthechronicleoftheDeclarationasaphysicalobject.threethemesnecessarilyentwinethemselves:therelationshipbetweenthephysicalagingoftheparchmentandthestepstakentopreserveitfromdeterioration;therelationshipbetweentheparchmentandthecopiesthatweremadefromit;andfinally.theoftendramaticstoryofthetravelsoftheparchmentduringwartimeandtoitsvarioushomes.
Chronologically.itishelpfultodividethehistoryoftheDeclarationafteritssigningintofivemainperiods.somemoredistinctthanothers.Thefirstperiodconsistsoftheearlytravelsoftheparchmentandlastsuntil1814.ThesecondperiodrelatestothelongsojournoftheDeclarationinWashington.DC.from1814untilitsbriefreturntoPhiladelphiaforthe1876Centennial.Thethirdperiodcoverstheyears1877-1921.aperiodmarkedbyincreasingconcernforthedeteriorationofthedocumentandtheneedforafittingandpermanentWashingtonhome.ExceptforaninterludeduringWorldWarII.thefourthandfifthperiodscoverthetimetheDeclarationrestedintheLibraryofCongressfrom1921to1952andintheNationalArchivesfrom1952tothepresent.
EarlyTravels.1776-1814

OncetheDeclarationwassigned.thedocumentprobablyaccompaniedtheContinentalCongressasthatbodytraveledduringtheuncertainmonthsandyearsoftheRevolution.Initially.likeotherparchmentdocumentsofthetime.theDeclarationwasprobablystoredinarolledformat.Eachtimethedocumentwasused.itwouldhavebeenunrolledandre-rolled.Thisaction.aswellasholdingthecurledparchmentflat.doubtlesstookitstollontheinkandontheparchmentsurfacethroughabrasionandflexing.TheacidityinherentintheirongallinkusedbyTimothyMatlackallowedtheinkto"bite"intothesurfaceoftheparchment.thuscontributingtotheink'slongevity.buttherollingandunrollingoftheparchmentstillpresentedmanyhazards.
AfterthesigningceremonyonAugust2.1776.theDeclarationwasmostlikelyfiledinPhiladelphiaintheofficeofCharlesThomson.whoservedastheSecretaryoftheContinentalCongressfrom1774to1789.OnDecember12.threatenedbytheBritish.Congressadjournedandreconvened8dayslaterinBaltimore.MD.AlightwagoncarriedtheDeclarationtoitsnewhome.whereitremaineduntilitsreturntoPhiladelphiainMarchof1777.
OnJanuary18.1777.whiletheDeclarationwasstillinBaltimore.Congress.bolsteredbymilitarysuccessesatTrentonandPrinceton.orderedthesecondofficialprintingofthedocument.TheJuly4printinghadincludedonlythenamesofJohnHancockandCharlesThomson.andeventhoughthefirstprintinghadbeenpromptlycirculatedtothestates.thenamesofsubsequentsignerswerekeptsecretforatimebecauseoffearofBritishreprisals.ByitsorderofJanuary18.however.Congressrequiredthat"anauthenticcopyoftheDeclarationofIndependency.withthenamesofthemembersofCongresssubscribingtothesame.besenttoeachoftheUnitedStates.andthattheybedesiredtohavethesameputuponrecord."The"authenticcopy"wasdulyprinted.completewithsigners'names.byMaryKatherineGoddardinBaltimore.
AssumingthattheDeclarationmovedwiththeCongress.itwouldhavebeenbackinPhiladelphiafromMarchtoSeptember1777.OnSeptember27.itwouldhavemovedtoLancaster.PA.for1dayonly.FromSeptember30.1777.throughJune1778.theDeclarationwouldhavebeenkeptinthecourthouseatYork.PA.FromJuly1778toJune1783.itwouldhavehadalongstaybackinPhiladelphia.In1783.itwouldhavebeenatPrinceton.NJ.fromJunetoNovember.andthen.afterthesigningoftheTreatyofParis.theDeclarationwouldhavebeenmovedtoAnnapolis.MD.whereitstayeduntilOctober1784.ForthemonthsofNovemberandDecember1784.itwouldhavebeenatTrenton.NJ.Thenin1785.whenCongressmetinNewYork.theDeclarationwashousedintheoldNewYorkCityHall.whereitprobablyremaineduntil1790(althoughwhenPierreL'EnfantwasremodelingthebuildingfortheconveningoftheFirstFederalCongress.itmighthavebeentemporarilyremoved).
InJuly1789theFirstCongressunderthenewConstitutioncreatedtheDepartmentofForeignAffairsanddirectedthatitsSecretaryshouldhave"thecustodyandchargeofallrecords.booksandpapers"keptbythedepartmentofthesamenameundertheoldgovernment.OnJuly24CharlesThomsonretiredasSecretaryoftheCongressand.upontheorderofPresidentGeorgeWashington.surrenderedtheDeclarationtoRogerAlden.DeputySecretaryofForeignAffairs.InSeptember1789thenameofthedepartmentwaschangedtotheDepartmentofState.ThomasJefferson.thedrafteroftheDeclaration.returnedfromFrancetoassumehisdutiesasthefirstSecretaryofStateinMarchof1790.Appropriately.thosedutiesnowincludedcustodyoftheDeclaration.
InJuly1790CongressprovidedforapermanentcapitaltobebuiltamongthewoodlandsandswampsborderingthePotomacRiver.Meanwhile.thetemporaryseatofgovernmentwastoreturntoPhiladelphia.Congressalsoprovidedthat"priortothefirstMondayinDecembernext.allofficesattachedtotheseatofthegovernmentoftheUnitedStates"shouldberemovedtoPhiladelphia.TheDeclarationwasthereforebackinPhiladelphiabythecloseof1790.Itwashousedinvariousbuildings--onMarketStreet.atArchandSixth.andatFifthandChestnut.
In1800.bydirectionofPresidentJohnAdams.theDeclarationandothergovernmentrecordsweremovedfromPhiladelphiatothenewfederalcapitalnowrisingintheDistrictofColumbia.Toreachitsnewhome.theDeclarationtraveleddowntheDelawareRiverandBay.outintotheocean.intotheChesapeakeBay.andupthePotomactoWashington.completingitslongestwaterjourney.
Forabout2monthstheDeclarationwashousedinbuildingsbuiltfortheuseoftheTreasuryDepartment.Forthenextyearitwashousedinoneofthe"SevenBuildings"thenstandingatNineteenthStreetandPennsylvaniaAvenue.Itsthirdhomebefore1814wasintheoldWarOfficeBuildingonSeventeenthStreet.
InAugust1814.theUnitedStatesbeingagainatwarwithGreatBritain.aBritishfleetappearedintheChesapeakeBay.SecretaryofStateJamesMonroerodeouttoobservethelandingofBritishforcesalongthePatuxentRiverinMaryland.AmessagefromMonroealertedStateDepartmentofficials.inparticularaclerknamedStephenPleasonton.oftheimminentthreattothecapitalcityand.ofcourse.thegovernment'sofficialrecords.Pleasonton"proceededtopurchasecoarselinen.andcauseittobemadeintobagsofconvenientsize.inwhichthegentlemenoftheoffice"packedthepreciousbooksandrecordsincludingtheDeclaration.
AcartloadofrecordswasthentakenupthePotomacRivertoanunusedgristmillbelongingtoEdgarPatterson.ThestructurewaslocatedontheVirginiasideofthePotomac.about2milesupstreamfromGeorgetown.HeretheDeclarationandtheotherrecordsremained.probablyovernight.Pleasonton.meanwhile.askedneighboringfarmersfortheuseoftheirwagons.OnAugust24.thedayoftheBritishattackonWashington.theDeclarationwasonitswaytoLeesburg.VA.Thatevening.whiletheWhiteHouseandothergovernmentbuildingswereburning.theDeclarationwasstored35milesawayatLeesburg.
TheDeclarationremainedsafeataprivatehomeinLeesburgforanintervalofseveralweeks--infact.untiltheBritishhadwithdrawntheirtroopsfromWashingtonandtheirfleetfromtheChesapeakeBay.InSeptember1814theDeclarationwasreturnedtothenationalcapital.WiththeexceptionofatriptoPhiladelphiafortheCentennialandtoFortKnoxduringWorldWarII.ithasremainedthereeversince.
Washington.1814-76

TheDeclarationremainedinWashingtonfromSeptember1814toMay1841.Itwashousedinfourlocations.From1814to1841.itwaskeptinthreedifferentlocationsastheStateDepartmentrecordswereshiftedaboutthegrowingcity.Thelastoftheselocationswasabrickbuildingthat.itwaslaterobserved."offerednosecurityagainstfire."
OnefactorthathadnosmalleffectonthephysicalconditionoftheDeclarationwasrecognizedasinterestinreproductionsoftheDeclarationincreasedasthenationgrew.TwoearlyfacsimileprintingsoftheDeclarationweremadeduringtheseconddecadeofthe19thcentury:thoseofBenjaminOwenTyler(1818)andJohnBinns(1819).BothfacsimilesuseddecorativeandornamentalelementstoenhancethetextoftheDeclaration.RichardRush.whowasActingSecretaryofStatein1817.remarkedonSeptember10ofthatyearabouttheTylercopy:"TheforegoingcopyoftheDeclarationofIndependencehasbeencollatedwiththeoriginalinstrumentandfoundcorrect.Ihavemyselfexaminedthesignaturestoeach.ThoseexecutedbyMr.Tyler.arecuriouslyexactimitations.somuchso.thatitwouldbedifficult.ifnotimpossible.fortheclosestscrutinytodistinguishthem.wereitnotforthehandoftime.fromtheoriginals."Rush'sreferenceto"thehandoftime"suggeststhatthesignatureswerealreadyfadingin1817.only40yearsaftertheywerefirstaffixedtotheparchment.
OnelatertheoryastowhytheDeclarationwasagingsosoonafteritscreationstemsfromthecommon18th-centurypracticeoftaking"presscopies."Presscopiesweremadebyplacingadampsheetofthinpaperonamanuscriptandpressingituntilaportionoftheinkwastransferred.Thethinpapercopywasretainedinthesamemannerasamoderncarboncopy.Theinkwasreimposedonacopperplate.whichwasthenetchedsothatcopiescouldberunofftheplateonapress.This"wettransfer"methodmayhavebeenusedbyWilliamJ.Stonewhenin1820hewascommissionedbySecretaryofStateJohnQuincyAdamstomakeafacsimileoftheentireDeclaration.signaturesaswellastext.ByJune5.1823.almostexactly47yearsafterJefferson'sfirstdraftoftheDeclaration.the(Washington)NationalIntelligencerwasabletoreport"thatMr.WilliamJ.Stone.arespectableandenterprisingEngraverofthisCity.has.afteralaborofthreeyears.completedafacsimileoftheoriginaloftheDeclarationofIndependence.nowinthearchivesofthegovernment;thatitisexecutedwiththegreatestexactnessandfidelity;andthattheDepartmentofStatehasbecomethepurchaseroftheplate."
AstheIntelligencerwentontoobserve:"Weareverygladtohearthis.fortheoriginalofthatpaperwhichoughttobeimmortalandimperishable.bybeingsomuchhandledbycopyistsandcuriousvisitors.mightreceiveseriousinjury.ThefacilityofmultiplyingcopiesofitnowpossessedbytheDepartmentofStatewillrenderfurtherexposureoftheoriginalunnecessary."Thelanguageofthenewspaperreport.likethatofRush'searliercomment.wouldseemtoindicatesomefearofthedeteriorationoftheDeclarationevenpriortoStone'swork.
ThecopiesmadefromStone'scopperplateestablishedtheclearvisualimageoftheDeclarationforgenerationsofAmericans.The200officialparchmentcopiesstruckfromtheStoneplatecarrytheidentification"EngravedbyW.J.StonefortheDepartmentofState.byorder"intheupperleftcornerfollowedby"ofJ.Q.Adams.Sec.ofStateJuly4th1823."intheupperrightcorner."Unofficial"copiesthatwerestrucklaterdonothavetheidentificationatthetopofthedocument.Insteadtheengraveridentifiedhisworkbyengraving"W.J.StoneSC.Washn."nearthelowerleftcornerandburnishingouttheearlieridentification.
ThelongestoftheearlysojournsoftheDeclarationwasfrom1841to1876.DanielWebsterwasSecretaryofStatein1841.OnJune11hewrotetoCommissionerofPatentsHenryL.Ellsworth.whowasthenoccupyinganewbuilding(nowtheNationalPortraitGallery).that"havinglearnedthatthereisinthenewbuildingappropriatedtothePatentOfficesuitableaccommodationsforthesafe-keeping.aswellastheexhibitionofthevariousarticlesnowdepositedinthisDepartment.andusually.exhibitedtovisitors...Ihavedirectedthemtobetransmittedtoyou."Aninventoryaccompaniedtheletter.Item6wastheDeclaration.
The"newbuilding"wasawhitestonestructureatSeventhandFStreets.TheDeclarationandWashington'scommissionascommanderinchiefweremountedtogetherinasingleframeandhunginawhitepaintedhalloppositeawindowofferingexposuretosunlight.Theretheyweretoremainonexhibitfor35years.evenafterthePatentOfficeseparatedfromtheStateDepartmenttobecomeadministrativelyapartoftheInteriorDepartment.ThisprolongedexposuretosunlightacceleratedthedeteriorationoftheinkandparchmentoftheDeclaration.whichwasapproaching100yearsofagetowardtheendofthisperiod.
DuringtheyearsthattheDeclarationwasexhibitedinthePatentOffice.thecombinedeffectsofaging.sunlight.andfluctuatingtemperatureandrelativehumiditytooktheirtollonthedocument.Occasionally.writersmadesomewhatnegativecommentsontheappearanceoftheDeclaration.AnobserverintheUnitedStatesMagazine(October1856)wentsofarastoreferto"thatoldlookingpaperwiththefadingink."JohnB.EllisremarkedinTheSightsandSecretsoftheNationalCapital(Chicago.1869)that"itisoldandyellow.andtheinkisfadingfromthepaper."AnanonymouswriterintheHistoricalMagazine(October1870)wrote:"TheoriginalmanuscriptoftheDeclarationofIndependenceandofWashington'sCommission.nowintheUnitedStatesPatentOfficeatWashington.D.C..aresaidtoberapidlyfadingoutsothatinafewyears.onlythenakedparchmentwillremain.Already.nearlyallthesignaturesattachedtotheDeclarationofIndependenceareentirelyeffaced."InMay1873theHistoricalMagazinepublishedanofficialstatementbyMortimerDormerLeggett.CommissionerofPatents.whoadmittedthat"manyofthenamestotheDeclarationarealreadyillegible."
ThetechnologyofanewageandtheinterestinhistoricalrootsengenderedbytheapproachingCentennialfocusednewinterestontheDeclarationinthe1870sandbroughtaboutabriefchangeofhome.
TheCentennialandtheDebateOverPreservation.1876-1921

In1876theDeclarationtraveledtoPhiladelphia.whereitwasonexhibitfortheCentennialNationalExpositionfromMaytoOctober.Philadelphia'sMayorWilliamS.StokleywasentrustedbyPresidentUlyssesS.GrantwithtemporarycustodyoftheDeclaration.ThePublicLedgerforMay8.1876.notedthatitwasinIndependenceHall"framedandglazedforprotection.and...depositedinafireproofsafeespeciallydesignedforbothpreservationandconvenientdisplay.[Whentheouterdoorsofthesafewereopened.theparchmentwasvisiblebehindaheavyplate-glassinnerdoor;thedoorswereclosedatnight.]Itsaspectisofcoursefadedandtime-worn.Thetextisfullylegible.butthemajorpartofthesignaturesaresopaleastobeonlydimlydiscernibleinthestrongestlight.afewremainwhollyreadable.andsomearewhollyinvisible.thespaceswhichcontainedthempresentingonlyablank."
OtherdescriptionsmadeatPhiladelphiawereequallyunflattering:"scarcebearstraceofthesignaturestheexecutionofwhichmadefifty-sixnamesimperishable.""aged-dimmed."ButontheFourthofJuly.afterthetextwasreadaloudtoathrongonIndependenceSquarebyRichardHenryLeeofVirginia(grandsonofthesignerRichardHenryLee)."Thefadedandcrumblingmanuscript.heldtogetherbyasimpleframewasthenexhibitedtothecrowdandwasgreetedwithcheeraftercheer."
BylatesummertheDeclaration'sphysicalconditionhadbecomeamatterofpublicconcern.OnAugust3.1876.Congressadoptedajointresolutionproviding"thatacommission.consistingoftheSecretaryoftheInterior.theSecretaryoftheSmithsonianInstitution.andtheLibrarianofCongressbeempoweredtohaveresorttosuchmeansaswillmosteffectuallyrestorethewritingoftheoriginalmanuscriptoftheDeclarationofIndependence.withthesignaturesappendedthereto."ThisresolutionhadactuallybeenintroducedasearlyasJanuary5.1876.OnecandidateforthetaskofrestorationwasWilliamJ.Canby.anemployeeoftheWashingtonGasLightCompany.OnApril13CanbyhadwrittentotheLibrarianofCongress:"Ihavehadoverthirtyyearsexperienceinhandlingthepenuponparchmentandinthattime.asanexpert.haveengrossedhundredsofornamental.specialdocuments."Canbywentontosuggestthat"theonlyfeasibleplanistoreplenishtheoriginalwithasupplyofink.whichhasbeendestroyedbytheactionoflightandtime.withaninkwellknowntobe.forallpracticalpurposes.imperishable."
Thecommissiondidnot.however.takeanyactionatthattime.AftertheconclusionoftheCentennialexposition.attemptsweremadetosecurepossessionoftheDeclarationforPhiladelphia.butthesefailedandtheparchmentwasreturnedtothePatentOfficeinWashington.whereithadbeensince1841.eventhoughthatofficehadbecomeapartoftheInteriorDepartment.OnApril11.1876.RobertH.Duell.CommissionerofPatents.hadwrittentoZachariahChandler.SecretaryoftheInterior.suggestingthat"theDeclarationofIndependence.andthecommissionofGeneralWashington.associatedwithitinthesameframe.belongtoyourDepartmentasheirlooms.
Chandlerappearstohaveignoredthisclaim.forinanexchangeofletterswithSecretaryofStateHamiltonFish.itwasagreed-withtheapprovalofPresidentGrant-tomovetheDeclarationintothenew.fireproofbuildingthattheStateDepartmentsharedwiththeWarandNavyDepartments(nowtheOldExecutiveOfficeBuilding).
OnMarch3.1877.theDeclarationwasplacedinacabinetontheeasternsideoftheStateDepartmentlibrary.whereitwastobeexhibitedfor17years.Itmaybenotedthatnotonlywassmokingpermittedinthelibrary.buttheroomcontainedanopenfireplace.Neverthelessthislocationturnedouttobesaferthanthepremisesjustvacated;muchofthePatentOfficewasguttedinafirethatoccurredafewmonthslater.
OnMay5.1880.thecommissionthathadbeenappointedalmost4yearsearliercametolifeagaininresponsetoacallfromtheSecretaryoftheInterior.ItrequestedthatWilliamB.Rogers.presidentoftheNationalAcademyofSciencesappointacommitteeofexpertstoconsider"whethersuchrestoration[oftheDeclaration]beexpedientorpracticableandifsoinwhatwaytheobjectcanbestbeaccomplished."
ThedulyappointedcommitteereportedonJanuary7.1881.thatStoneusedthe"wettransfer"methodinthecreationofhisfacsimileprintingof1823.thattheprocesshadprobablyremovedsomeoftheoriginalink.andthatchemicalrestorationmethodswere"atbestimperfectanduncertainintheirresults."Thecommitteeconcluded.therefore.that"itisnotexpedienttoattempttorestorethemanuscriptbychemicalmeans."Thegroupofexpertsthenrecommendedthat"itwillbebesteithertocoverthepresentreceptacleofthemanuscriptwithanopaquelidortoremovethemanuscriptfromitsframeandplaceitinaportfolio.whereitmaybeprotectedfromtheactionoflight."Finally.thecommitteerecommendedthat"nopresscopiesofanypartofitshouldinfuturebepermitted."
RecentstudyoftheDeclarationbyconservatorsattheNationalArchiveshasraiseddoubtsthata"wettransfer"tookplace.Proofofthisoccurrence.however.cannotbeverifiedordeniedstrictlybymodernexaminationmethods.Nodocumentationpriortothe1881referencehasbeenfoundtosupportthetheory;thereforewemayneverknowifStoneactuallyperformedtheprocedure.
Little.ifany.actionwastakenasaresultofthe1881report.Itwasnotuntil1894thattheStateDepartmentannounced:"TherapidfadingofthetextoftheoriginalDeclarationofIndependenceandthedeteriorationoftheparchmentuponwhichitisengrossed.fromexposuretolightandlapseoftime.renderitimpracticablefortheDepartmentlongertoexhibititortohandleit.Forthesecurepreservationofitspresentcondition.sofarasmaybepossible.ithasbeencarefullywrappedandplacedflatinasteelcase."
AnewplateforengravingswasmadebytheCoastandGeodeticSurveyin1895.andin1898aphotographwasmadefortheLadies'HomeJournal.Onthislatteroccasion.theparchmentwasnotedas"stillingoodlegiblecondition"although"someofthesignatures"were"necessarilyblurred."
OnApril14.1903.SecretaryofStateJohnHaysolicitedagainthehelpoftheNationalAcademyofSciencesinproviding"suchrecommendationsasmayseempracticable...touching[theDeclaration's]preservation."Haywentontoexplain:"Itisnowkeptoutofthelight.sealedbetweentwosheetsofglass.presumablyproofagainstair.andlockedinasteelsafe.Iamunabletosay.however.that.inspiteoftheseprecautions.observedforthepasttenyears.thetextisnotcontinuingtofadeandtheparchmenttowrinkleandperhapstobreak."
OnApril24acommitteeoftheacademyreporteditsfindings.SummarizingthephysicalhistoryoftheDeclaration.thereportstated:"TheinstrumenthassufferedveryseriouslyfromtheveryharshtreatmenttowhichitwasexposedintheearlyyearsoftheRepublic.Foldingandrollinghavecreasedtheparchment.Thewetpress-copyingoperationtowhichitwasexposedabout1820.forthepurposeofproducingafacsimilecopy.removedalargeportionoftheink.Subsequentexposuretotheactionoflightformorethanthirtyyears.whiletheinstrumentwasplacedonexhibition.hasresultedinthefadingoftheink.particularlyinthesignatures.Thepresentmethodofcaringfortheinstrumentseemstobethebestthatcanbesuggested."
Thecommitteeaddeditsown"opinionthatthepresentmethodofprotectingtheinstrumentshouldbecontinued;thatitshouldbekeptinthedarkanddryaspossible.andneverplacedonexhibition."SecretaryHayseemstohaveacceptedthecommittee'srecommendation;inthefollowingyear.WilliamH.Michael.authorofTheDeclarationofIndependence(Washington.1904).recordedthattheDeclarationwas"lockedandsealed.byorderofSecretaryHay.andisnolongershowntoanyoneexceptbyhisdirection."
WorldWarIcameandwent.Then.onApril21.1920.SecretaryofStateBainbridgeColbyissuedanordercreatingyetanothercommittee:"ACommitteeisherebyappointedtostudytheproperstepsthatshouldbetakenforthepermanentandeffectivepreservationfromdeteriorationandfromdangerfromfire.orotherformofdestruction.ofthosedocumentsofsupremevaluewhichunderthelawaredepositedwiththeSecretaryofState.Theinquirywillincludethequestionofdisplayofcertainofthesedocumentsforthebenefitofthepatrioticpublic."
OnMay5.1920.thenewcommitteereportedonthephysicalconditionofthesafesthathousedtheDeclarationandtheConstitution.Itdeclared:"Thesafesareconstructedofthinsheetsofsteel.Theyarenotfireproofnorwouldtheyoffermuchobstructiontoanevil-disposedpersonwhowishedtobreakintothem."AboutthephysicalconditionoftheDeclaration.thecommitteestated:"Webelievethefadingcangonofurther.Weseenoreasonwhytheoriginaldocumentshouldnotbeexhibitediftheparchmentbelaidbetweentwosheetsofglass.hermeticallysealedattheedgesandexposedonlytodiffusedlight."
Thecommitteealsomadesomeimportant"supplementaryrecommendations."ItnotedthatonMarch3.1903.PresidentTheodoreRoosevelthaddirectedthatcertainrecordsrelatingtotheContinentalCongressbeturnedoverbytheDepartmentofStatetotheLibraryofCongress:"ThistransferwasmadeunderaprovisionofanActofFebruary25.1903.thatanyExecutiveDepartmentmayturnovertotheLibraryofCongressbooks.maps.orothermaterialnolongerneededfortheuseoftheDepartment."Thecommitteerecommendedthattheremainingpapers.includingtheDeclarationandtheConstitution.besimilarlygivenovertothecustodyoftheLibraryofCongress.FortheDeclaration.therefore.twoimportantchangeswereintheoffing:anewhomeandthepossibilityofexhibitionto"thepatrioticpublic."
TheLibraryofCongress...andFortKnox.1921-52

Therewasnoactionontherecommendationsof1920untilaftertheHardingadministrationtookoffice.OnSeptember28.1921.SecretaryofStateCharlesEvansHughesaddressedthenewPresident:"Iencloseanexecutiveorderforyoursignature.ifyouapprove.transferringtothecustodyoftheLibraryofCongresstheoriginalDeclarationofIndependenceandConstitutionoftheUnitedStateswhicharenowinthecustodyofthisDepartment....ImakethisrecommendationbecauseintheLibraryofCongressthesemunimentswillbeinthecustodyofexpertsskilledinarchivalpreservation.inabuildingofmodernfireproofconstruction.wheretheycansafelybeexhibitedtothemanyvisitorswhonowdesiretoseethem."
PresidentWarrenG.Hardingagreed.OnSeptember29.1921.heissuedtheExecutiveorderauthorizingthetransfer.ThefollowingdaySecretaryHughessentacopyoftheordertoLibrarianofCongressHerbertPutnam.statingthathewas"preparedtoturnthedocumentsovertoyouwhenyouarereadytoreceivethem."
Putnamwasbothreadyandeager.HepresentedhimselfforthwithattheStateDepartment.Thesafeswereopened.andtheDeclarationandtheConstitutionwerecarriedofftotheLibraryofCongressonCapitolHillintheLibrary's"mailwagon."cushionedbyapileofleatherU.S.mailsacks.Uponarrival.thetwonationaltreasureswereplacedinasafeinPutnam'soffice.
OnOctober3.Putnamtookupthematterofapermanentlocation.InamemorandumtothesuperintendentoftheLibrarybuildingandgrounds.Putnamproceededfromthepremisethat"intheLibrary"thedocuments"mightbetreatedinsuchawayas.whilefullysafe-guardingthemandgivingthemdistinction.theyshouldbeopentoinspectionbythepublicatlarge."Thememorandumdiscussedtheneedforasetting"safe.dignified.adequate.andineverywaysuitable...Materiallessthanbronzewouldbeunworthy.Thecostmustbeconsiderable."
TheLibrarianthenrequestedthesumof$12.000forhispurpose.TheneedwasurgentbecausethenewBureauoftheBudgetwasabouttoprintforthcomingfiscalyearestimates.Therewasthereforenotimetomakedetailedarchitecturalplans.PutnamtoldanappropriationscommitteeonJanuary16.1922.justwhathehadinmind."Thereisaway...wecouldconstruct.say.onthesecondflooronthewesternsideinthatlongopengalleryarailedinclosure.materialofbronze.wherethesedocuments.withoneortwoauxiliarydocumentsleadinguptothem.couldbeplaced.wheretheyneednotbetouchedbyanybodybutwhereamerepasser-bycouldseethem.wheretheycouldbesetinpermanentbronzeframesandwheretheycouldbeprotectedfromthenaturallight.lightedonlybysoftincandescentlamps.TheresultcouldbeachievedandyouwouldhavesomethingeveryvisitortoWashingtonwouldwishtotellaboutwhenhereturnedandwhowouldregardit.asthenewspapermenaresaying.withkeeninterestasasortof'shrine.'"TheLibrarian'simaginativepresentationwassuccessful:Thesumof$12.000wasappropriatedandapprovedonMarch20.1922.
Beforelong.the"sortof'shrine'"wasbeingdesignedbyFrancisH.Bacon.whosebrotherHenrywasthearchitectoftheLincolnMemorial.MaterialsusedincludeddifferentkindsofmarblefromNewYork.Vermont.Tennessee.theGreekislandofTinos.andItaly.ThemarblessurroundingthemanuscriptswereAmerican;thefloorandbalustradeweremadeofforeignmarblestocorrespondwiththematerialusedintherestoftheLibrary.TheDeclarationwastobehousedinaframeofgold-platedbronzedoorsandcoveredwithdoublepanesofplateglasswithspeciallypreparedgelatinfilmsbetweentheplatestoexcludetheharmfulraysoflight.A24-hourguardwouldprovideprotection.
OnFebruary28.1924.theshrinewasdedicatedinthepresenceofPresidentandMrs.CalvinCoolidge.SecretaryHughes.andotherdistinguishedguests.NotawordwasspokenduringamovingceremonyinwhichPutnamfittedtheDeclarationintoitsframe.Therewerenospeeches.TwostanzasofAmericaweresung.InPutnam'swords:"Theimpressionontheaudienceprovedtheemotionalpotencyofdocumentsanimatewithagreattradition."
Withonlyoneinterruption.theDeclarationhungonthewallofthesecondflooroftheGreatHalloftheLibraryofCongressuntilDecember1952.Duringtheprosperityofthe1920sandtheDepressionofthe1930s.millionsofpeoplevisitedtheshrine.Butthethreatofwarandthenwaritselfcausedaprolongedinterruptioninthesteadystreamofvisitors.
OnApril30.1941.worriedthatthewarraginginEuropemightengulftheUnitedStates.thenewlyappointedLibrarianofCongress.ArchibaldMacLeish.wrotetotheSecretaryoftheTreasury.HenryMorgenthau.Jr.TheLibrarianwasconcernedforthemostpreciousofthemanyobjectsinhischarge.Hewrote"toenquirewhetherspacemightperhapsbefound"attheBullionDepositoryinFortKnoxforhismostvaluablematerials.includingtheDeclaration."intheunlikelyeventthatitbecomesnecessarytoremovethemfromWashington."SecretaryMorgenthaurepliedthatspacewouldindeedbemadeavailableasnecessaryforthe"storageofsuchofthemoreimportantpapersasyoumightdesignate."
OnDecember7.1941.theJapaneseattackedPearlHarbor.OnDecember23.theDeclarationandtheConstitutionwereremovedfromtheshrineandplacedbetweentwosheetsofacid-freemanillapaper.Thedocumentswerethencarefullywrappedinacontainerofall-ragneutralmillboardandplacedinaspeciallydesignedbronzecontainer.Itwaslateatnightwhenthecontainerwasfinallysecuredwithpadlocksoneachside.PreparationswereresumedonthedayafterChristmas.whentheAttorneyGeneralruledthattheLibrarianneededno"furtherauthorityfromtheCongressorthePresident"totakesuchactionashedeemednecessaryforthe"properprotectionandpreservation"ofthedocumentsinhischarge.
Thepackingprocesscontinuedunderconstantarmedguard.Thecontainerwasfinallysealedwithleadandpackedinaheavybox;thewholeweighedsome150pounds.Itwasafarcryfromthesimplelinenbagofthesummerof1814.
Atabout5p.m.thebox.alongwithotherboxescontainingvitalrecords.wasloadedintoanarmedandescortedtruck.takentoUnionStation.andloadedintoacompartmentofthePullmansleeperEastlake.ArmedSecretServiceagentsoccupiedtheneighboringcompartments.AfterdepartingfromWashingtonat6:30p.m..theDeclarationtraveledtoLouisville.KY.arrivingat10:30a.m..December27.1941.MoreSecretServiceagentsandacavalrytroopofthe13thArmoredDivisionmetthetrain.convoyeditspreciouscontentstotheBullionDepositoryatFortKnox.andplacedtheDeclarationincompartment24intheoutertieronthegroundlevel.
TheDeclarationwasperiodicallyexaminedduringitssojournatFortKnox.Onesuchexaminationin1942foundthattheDeclarationhadbecomedetachedinpartfromitsmount.includingtheupperrightcorner.whichhadbeenstuckdownwithcopiousamountsofglue.InhisjournalforMay14.1942.VernerW.Clapp.aLibraryofCongressofficial.noted:"Atonetimealso(aboutJanuary12.1940)anattempthadbeenmadetoreunitethedetachedupperrighthandcornertothemainportionbymeansofastripof'scotch'cellulosetapewhichwasstillinplace.discoloredtoamolassescolor.Inthevariousmendingeffortsgluehadbeensplatteredintwoplacesontheobverseofthedocument."
Theopportunitywastakentoperformconservationtreatmentinordertostabilizeandrejointheupperrightcorner.Undergreatsecrecy.GeorgeStoutandEvelynErlich.bothoftheFoggMuseumatHarvardUniversity.traveledtoFortKnox.Overaperiodof2days.theyperformedmendingofsmalltears.removedexcessadhesiveandthe"scotch"tape.andrejoinedthedetachedupperrightcorner.
Finally.in1944.themilitaryauthoritiesassuredtheLibraryofCongressthatalldangerofenemyattackhadpassed.OnSeptember19.thedocumentswerewithdrawnfromFortKnox.OnSunday.October1.at11:30a.m..thedoorsoftheLibrarywereopened.TheDeclarationwasbackinitsshrine.
Withthereturnofpeace.thekeepersoftheDeclarationweremindfuloftheincreasingtechnologicalexpertiseavailabletothemrelatingtothepreservationoftheparchment.InthistheywerereadilyassistedbytheNationalBureauofStandards.whichevenbeforeWorldWarII.hadresearchedthepreservationoftheDeclaration.Theproblemofshieldingitfromharshlight.forexample.hadin1924ledtotheinsertionofasheetofyellowgelatinbetweentheprotectiveplatesofglass.Yetthisprocedurelessenedthevisibilityofanalreadyfadedparchment.Couldnotsomeimprovementbemade?
FollowingreportsofMay5.1949.onstudiesinwhichtheLibrarystaff.membersoftheNationalBureauofStandards.andrepresentativesofaglassmanufacturerhadparticipated.newrecommendationsweremade.In1951theDeclarationwassealedinathermopaneenclosurefilledwithproperlyhumidifiedhelium.Theexhibitcasewasequippedwithafiltertoscreenoutdamaginglight.Thenewenclosurealsohadtheeffectofpreventingharmfromairpollution.agrowingperil.
Soonafter.however.theDeclarationwastomakeonemoremove.theonetoitspresenthome.(SeeAppendixB.)
TheNationalArchives.1952tothePresent

In1933.whiletheDepressiongrippedthenation.PresidentHooverlaidthecornerstonefortheNationalArchivesBuildinginWashington.DC.HeannouncedthattheDeclarationofIndependenceandtheConstitutionwouldeventuallybekeptintheimpressivestructurethatwastooccupythesite.Indeed.itwasfortheirkeepinganddisplaythattheexhibitionhallintheNationalArchiveshadbeendesigned.Twolargemuralswerepaintedforitswalls.Inone.ThomasJeffersonisdepictedpresentingtheDeclarationtoJohnHancock.PresidentoftheContinentalCongresswhilemembersofthatRevolutionarybodylookon.Inthesecond.JamesMadisonisportrayedsubmittingtheConstitutiontoGeorgeWashington.
Thefinaltransferofthesespecialdocumentsdidnot.however.takeplaceuntilalmost20yearslater.InOctober1934PresidentFranklinD.RooseveltappointedthefirstArchivistoftheUnitedStates.RobertDiggesWimberlyConnor.ThePresidenttoldConnorthat"valuablehistoricdocuments."suchastheDeclarationofIndependenceandtheU.S.Constitution.wouldresideintheNationalArchivesBuilding.TheLibraryofCongress.especiallyLibrarianHerbertPutnam.objected.InameetingwiththePresident2monthsafterhisappointment.ConnorexplainedtoRoosevelthowthedocumentscametobeintheLibraryandthatPutnamfeltanotherActofCongresswasnecessaryinorderforthemtobetransferredtotheArchives.ConnoreventuallytoldthePresidentthatitwouldbebettertoleavethematteraloneuntilPutnamretired.
WhenHerbertPutnamretiredonApril5.1939.ArchibaldMacLeishwasnominatedtoreplacehim.MacLeishagreedwithRooseveltandConnorthatthetwoimportantdocumentsbelongedintheNationalArchives.BecauseofWorldWarII.duringmuchofwhichtheDeclarationwasstoredatFortKnox.andConnor'sresignationin1941.MacLeishwasunabletoenactthetransfer.By1944.whentheDeclarationandConstitutionreturnedtoWashingtonfromFortKnox.MacLeishhadbeenappointedAssistantSecretaryofState.
SolonJ.Buck.Connor'ssuccessorasArchivistoftheUnitedStates(1941-48).feltthatthedocumentswereingoodhandsattheLibraryofCongress.Hissuccessor.WayneGrover.disagreed.LutherEvans.theLibrarianofCongressappointedbyPresidentTrumaninJune1945.sharedGrover'sopinionthatthedocumentsshouldbetransferredtotheArchives.
In1951thetwomenbeganworkingwiththeirstaffmembersandlegaladviserstohavethedocumentstransferred.TheArchivespositionwasthatthedocumentswerefederalrecordsandthereforecoveredbytheFederalRecordsActof1950.whichwas"paramounttoandtookprecedenceover"the1922actthathadappropriatedmoneyfortheshrineattheLibraryofCongress.LutherEvansagreedwiththislineofreasoning.butheemphasizedgettingtheapprovalofthePresidentandtheJointCommitteeontheLibrary.
SenatorTheodoreH.Green.ChairmanoftheJointCommitteeontheLibrary.agreedthatthetransfershouldtakeplacebutstipulatedthatitwouldbenecessarytohavehiscommitteeactonthematter.EvanswenttotheApril30.1952.committeemeetingalone.Thereisnoformalrecordofwhatwassaidatthemeeting.exceptthattheJointCommitteeontheLibraryorderedthatthedocumentsbetransferredtotheNationalArchives.NotonlywastheArchivestheofficialdepositoryofthegovernment'srecords.itwasalso.inthejudgmentofthecommittee.themostnearlybombproofbuildinginWashington.
At11a.m..December13.1952.BrigadierGeneralStoyteO.Ross.commandinggeneraloftheAirForceHeadquartersCommand.formallyreceivedthedocumentsattheLibraryofCongress.TwelvemembersoftheArmedForcesSpecialPolicecarriedthe6piecesofparchmentintheirhelium-filledglasscases.enclosedinwoodencrates.downtheLibrarystepsthroughalineof88servicewomen.AnarmoredMarineCorpspersonnelcarrierawaitedthedocuments.Oncetheyhadbeenplacedonmattressesinsidethevehicle.theywereaccompaniedbyacolorguard.ceremonialtroops.theArmyBand.theAirForceDrumandBugleCorps.twolighttanks.fourservicemencarryingsubmachineguns.andamotorcycleescortinaparadedownPennsylvaniaandConstitutionAvenuestotheArchivesBuilding.BothsidesoftheparaderoutewerelinedbyArmy.Navy.CoastGuard.Marine.andAirForcepersonnel.At11:35a.m.GeneralRossandthe12specialpolicemenarrivedattheNationalArchivesBuilding.carriedthecratesupthesteps.andformallydeliveredthemintothecustodyofArchivistoftheUnitedStatesWayneGrover.(AlreadyattheNationalArchiveswastheBillofRights.protectivelysealedaccordingtothemoderntechniquesusedayearearlierfortheDeclarationandConstitution.)
TheformalenshriningceremonyonDecember15.1952.wasequallyimpressive.ChiefJusticeoftheUnitedStatesFredM.Vinsonpresidedovertheceremony.whichwasattendedbyofficialsofmorethan100nationalcivic.patriotic.religious.veterans.educational.business.andlaborgroups.AftertheinvocationbytheReverendFrederickBrownHarris.chaplainoftheSenate.GovernorElbertN.CarvelofDelaware.thefirststatetoratifytheConstitution.calledtherollofstatesintheorderinwhichtheyratifiedtheConstitutionorwereadmittedtotheUnion.Aseachstatewascalled.aservicewomancarryingthestateflagenteredtheExhibitionHallandremainedatattentioninfrontofthedisplaycasescirclingthehall.PresidentHarryS.Truman.thefeaturedspeaker.said:
"TheDeclarationofIndependence.theConstitution.andtheBillofRightsarenowassembledinoneplacefordisplayandsafekeeping....Weareengagedheretodayinasymbolicact.Weareenshriningthesedocumentsforfutureages....Thismagnificenthallhasbeenconstructedtoexhibitthem.andthevaultbeneath.thatwehavebuilttoprotectthem.isassafefromdestructionasanythingthatthewitofmodernmancandevise.Allthisisanhonorableeffort.baseduponreverenceforthegreatpast.andourgenerationcantakejustprideinit."
SenatorGreenbrieflytracedthehistoryofthethreedocuments.andthentheLibrarianofCongressandtheArchivistoftheUnitedStatesjointlyunveiledtheshrine.Finally.JusticeVinsonspokebriefly.theReverendBernardBraskamp.chaplainoftheHouseofRepresentativesgavethebenediction.theU.S.MarineCorpsBandplayedthe"StarSpangledBanner."thePresidentwasescortedfromthehall.the48flagbearersmarchedout.andtheceremonywasover.(ThestoryofthetransferofthedocumentsisfoundinMiltonO.Gustafson."TheEmptyShrine:TheTransferoftheDeclarationofIndependenceandtheConstitutiontotheNationalArchives."TheAmericanArchivist39(July1976):271-285.)
Thepresentshrineprovidesanimposinghome.ThepricelessdocumentsstandatthecenterofasemicircleofdisplaycasesshowingotherimportantrecordsofthegrowthoftheUnitedStates.TheDeclaration.theConstitution.andtheBillofRightsstandslightlyelevated.underarmedguard.intheirbronzeandmarbleshrine.TheBillofRightsandtwoofthefiveleavesoftheConstitutionaredisplayedflat.AbovethemtheDeclarationofIndependenceisheldimpressivelyinanuprightcaseconstructedofballisticallytestedglassandplasticlaminate.Ultraviolet-lightfiltersinthelaminategivetheinnerlayeraslightlygreenishhue.Atnight.thedocumentsarestoredinanundergroundvault.
In1987theNationalArchivesandRecordsAdministrationinstalleda$3millioncameraandcomputerizedsystemtomonitortheconditionofthethreedocuments.TheChartersMonitoringSystemwasdesignedbytheJetPropulsionLaboratorytoassessthestateofpreservationoftheConstitution.theDeclarationofIndependence.andtheBillofRights.Itcandetectanychangesinreadabilityduetoinkflaking.off-settingofinktoglass.changesindocumentdimensions.andinkfading.Thesystemiscapableofrecordinginveryfinedetail1-inchsquareareasofdocumentsandlaterretakingthepicturesinexactlythesameplacesandunderthesameconditionsoflightingandcharge-coupleddevice(CCD)sensitivity.(TheCCDmeasuresreflectivity.)Periodicmeasurementsarecomparedtothebaselineimagetodetermineifchangesordeteriorationinvisibletothehumaneyehavetakenplace.
TheDeclarationhashadmanyhomes.fromhumblelodgingsandgovernmentofficestotheinteriorsofsafesandgreatpublicdisplays.Ithasbeencarriedinwagons.ships.aPullmansleeper.andanarmoredvehicle.Initslatesthome.ithasbeenviewedwithrespectbymillionsofpeople.everyoneofwhomhashadtherebyabriefmoment.aprivatemoment.toreflectonthemeaningofdemocracy.ThenationtowhichtheDeclarationgavebirthhashadanimmenseimpactonhumanhistory.andcontinuestodoso.Intellingthestoryoftheparchment.itisappropriatetorecallthewordsofpoetandLibrarianofCongressArchibaldMacLeish.HedescribedtheDeclarationofIndependenceandtheConstitutionas"thesefragileobjectswhichbearsogreataweightofmeaningtoourpeople."ThestoryoftheDeclarationofIndependenceasadocumentcanonlybeapartofthelargerhistory.ahistorystillunfolding.a"weightofmeaning"constantly.challenged.strengthened.andredefined.
AppendixA

The26copiesoftheDunlapbroadsideknowntoexistaredispersedamongAmericanandBritishinstitutionsandprivateowners.Thefollowingarethecurrentlocationsofthecopies.
NationalArchives.Washington.DC
LibraryofCongress.Washington.DC(twocopies)
MarylandHistoricalSociety.Baltimore.MD
UniversityofVirginia.Charlottesville.VA(twocopies)
IndependenceNationalHistoricPark.Philadelphia.PA
AmericanPhilosophicalSociety.Philadelphia.PA
HistoricalSocietyofPennsylvania.Philadelphia.PA
ScheideLibrary.PrincetonUniversity.Princeton.NJ[TheLibraryisprivatelyowned.]
NewYorkPublicLibrary.NewYork
PierpontMorganLibrary.NewYork
MassachusettsHistoricalSociety.Boston.MA
HarvardUniversity.Cambridge.MA
ChapinLibrary.WilliamsCollege.Williamstown.MA
YaleUniversity.NewHaven.CT
AmericanIndependenceMuseum.Exeter.NH
MaineHistoricalSociety.Portland.ME
IndianaUniversity.Bloomington.IN
ChicagoHistoricalSociety.Chicago.IL
J.ErikJonssonCentralLibrary.DallasPublicLibrary.Dallas.TX
DeclarationofIndependenceRoadTrip[NormanLearandDavidHayden]
Privatecollector
NationalArchives.UnitedKingdom(threecopies)
AppendixB

ThelocationsgivenfortheDeclarationfrom1776to1789arebasedonthelocationsformeetingsoftheContinentalandConfederationCongresses:
Philadelphia:August-December1776
Baltimore:December1776-March1777
Philadelphia:March-September1777
Lancaster.PA:September27.1777
York.PA:September30.1777-June1778
Philadelphia:July1778-June1783
Princeton.NJ:June-November1783
Annapolis.MD:November1783-October1784
Trenton.NJ:November-December1784
NewYork:1785-1790
Philadelphia:1790-1800
Washington.DC(threelocations):1800-1814
Leesburg.VA:August-September1814
Washington.DC(threelocations):1814-1841
Washington.DC(PatentOfficeBuilding):1841-1876
Philadelphia:May-November1876
Washington.DC(State.War.andNavyBuilding):1877-1921
Washington.DC(LibraryofCongress):1921-1941
FortKnox*:1941-1944
Washington.DC(LibraryofCongress):1944-1952
Washington.DC(NationalArchives):1952-present
*ExceptthatthedocumentwasdisplayedonApril13.1943.atthededicationoftheThomasJeffersonMemorialinWashington.DC.
ForFurtherReading:

Bailyn.Bernard.TheOriginsofIndependence.NewYork:AlfredA.Knopf.1968.
Becker.CarlL.TheDeclarationofIndependence:AStudyintheHistoryofPoliticalIdeas.NewYork:AlfredA.Knopf.1942.
TheFormationoftheUnion.Washington.DC:NationalArchivesTrustFundBoard.1970.
Ferris.RobertG..ed.SignersoftheDeclaration:HistoricPlacesCommemoratingtheSigningoftheDeclarationofIndependence.Washington.DC:NationalParkService.1973.
Goff.Frederick.R.TheJohnDunlapBroadside:TheFirstPrintingoftheDeclarationofIndependence.Washington.DC:LibraryofCongress.1976.
Gustafson.MiltonO."TheEmptyShrine:TheTransferoftheDeclarationofIndependenceandtheConstitutiontotheNationalArchives."TheAmericanArchivist39(July1976):271-285.
Lucas.StephenE."TheStylisticArtistryoftheDeclarationofIndependence."Prologue:QuarterlyoftheNationalArchives22(Spring1990):25-43.
Malone.Dumas.TheStoryoftheDeclarationofIndependence.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress.1954.

par4 <- 'Unknown'
par3 <- 'FALSE'
par2 <- 'grey'
par1 <- '26'
par1 <- as.numeric(par1)
if (par3 == 'TRUE') par3 <- TRUE
if (par3 == 'FALSE') par3 <- FALSE
if (par4 == 'Unknown') par1 <- as.numeric(par1)
if (par4 == 'Interval/Ratio') par1 <- as.numeric(par1)
if (par4 == '3-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:3 - 0.5, 3.5)
if (par4 == '4-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:4 - 0.5, 4.5)
if (par4 == '5-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:5 - 0.5, 5.5)
if (par4 == '6-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:6 - 0.5, 6.5)
if (par4 == '7-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:7 - 0.5, 7.5)
if (par4 == '8-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:8 - 0.5, 8.5)
if (par4 == '9-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:9 - 0.5, 9.5)
if (par4 == '10-point Likert') par1 <- c(1:10 - 0.5, 10.5)
bitmap(file='test1.png')
if(is.numeric(x[1])) {
if (is.na(par1)) {
myhist<-hist(x,col=par2,main=main,xlab=xlab,right=par3)
} else {
if (par1 < 0) par1 <- 3
if (par1 > 50) par1 <- 50
myhist<-hist(x,breaks=par1,col=par2,main=main,xlab=xlab,right=par3)
}
} else {
plot(mytab <- table(x),col=par2,main='Frequency Plot',xlab=xlab,ylab='Absolute Frequency')
}
dev.off()
if(is.numeric(x[1])) {
myhist
n <- length(x)
load(file='createtable')
a<-table.start()
a<-table.row.start(a)
a<-table.element(a,hyperlink('histogram.htm','Frequency Table (Histogram)',''),6,TRUE)
a<-table.row.end(a)
a<-table.row.start(a)
a<-table.element(a,'Bins',header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,'Midpoint',header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,'Abs. Frequency',header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,'Rel. Frequency',header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,'Cumul. Rel. Freq.',header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,'Density',header=TRUE)
a<-table.row.end(a)
crf <- 0
if (par3 == FALSE) mybracket <- '[' else mybracket <- ']'
mynumrows <- (length(myhist$breaks)-1)
for (i in 1:mynumrows) {
a<-table.row.start(a)
if (i == 1)
dum <- paste('[',myhist$breaks[i],sep='')
else
dum <- paste(mybracket,myhist$breaks[i],sep='')
dum <- paste(dum,myhist$breaks[i+1],sep=',')
if (i==mynumrows)
dum <- paste(dum,']',sep='')
else
dum <- paste(dum,mybracket,sep='')
a<-table.element(a,dum,header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,myhist$mids[i])
a<-table.element(a,myhist$counts[i])
rf <- myhist$counts[i]/n
crf <- crf + rf
a<-table.element(a,round(rf,6))
a<-table.element(a,round(crf,6))
a<-table.element(a,round(myhist$density[i],6))
a<-table.row.end(a)
}
a<-table.end(a)
table.save(a,file='mytable.tab')
} else {
mytab
reltab <- mytab / sum(mytab)
n <- length(mytab)
load(file='createtable')
a<-table.start()
a<-table.row.start(a)
a<-table.element(a,'Frequency Table (Categorical Data)',3,TRUE)
a<-table.row.end(a)
a<-table.row.start(a)
a<-table.element(a,'Category',header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,'Abs. Frequency',header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,'Rel. Frequency',header=TRUE)
a<-table.row.end(a)
for (i in 1:n) {
a<-table.row.start(a)
a<-table.element(a,labels(mytab)$x[i],header=TRUE)
a<-table.element(a,mytab[i])
a<-table.element(a,round(reltab[i],4))
a<-table.row.end(a)
}
a<-table.end(a)
table.save(a,file='mytable1.tab')
}