with George Washington’s order to have the Declaration of Independence read to his troops in New York on July 9, 1776

Colonel John Nixon read the document outside of Independence Hall.

The next day a copy of the was delivered to George Washington's headquarters at One Broadway.&nbsp;At 6pm that evening Washington ordered several of the city brigades to gather on the Common for a public reading of the declaration.&nbsp; “The General hopes this important event will serve as 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.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted to approve Virginia's Resolution that These Colonies are and of right ought to be Free and Independent states. Congress spent the next two days editing the text of the final document which was sent to John Dunlop, a Philadelphia Printer.&nbsp; 200 copies were printed.&nbsp; 26 survive today.&nbsp; The delegates actually signed it on August 2, 1776 in the Pennsylvania State House, perhaps not quite as dramatically&nbsp;as the story depicted in the Musical 1776.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;declared that &nbsp;“The Declaration of the United States of America is inserted in this paper to oblige a number of our Customers&nbsp;who intend to separate it from the rest of the paper, and fix it up, in open view in their Houses as a mark of their approbation of the INDEPENDENT SPIRIT of their Representatives.”&nbsp; &nbsp;The other four remaining copies known to be in existance are in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Library of Congress, Yale and the Philadelphia Library.&nbsp;

Printed on border: "Thousands of the principal inhabitants of the city and county listened to the reading of the document with rapturous approbation. Find at the same time the King's coat-of-arms was brought from the court-room and burned amid thrilling cheers." "Page 93." Written on border: "NYC (c1880)"

Original Continental Army Manuscript Orderly Book

In 1820 the then Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned William J. Stone, a printer, to create a copperplate engraving of the Declaration of Independence. This engraving was used to produce copies of the Declaration. The 1823 Stone engraving is now the most commonly replicated version of the Declaration.

Plaque on plinth On right side of driveway at Broadway entrance to City Hall

'The Fields' now called the Common

Independence Hall

First Reading of the Declaration of Independence

A talk by Abby Suckle at Fraunces Tavern Museum, New York on July 4, 2024

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 9, 1775.&nbsp;Parole Effingham. Countersign Watertown.&nbsp;The Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint Horatio Gates Esq. Brigadier General, and Adjutant General of the Army; he is to be obeyed as such; and all Orders transmitted through him from the Commander in Chief, whether written or verbal, are to be punctually and immediately obey'd. All Soldiers, more than two a Company, who are at present absent on Furlough, and all Officers, now Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers, who have not join'd their respective Corps, to be ordered forthwith to Camp. The Comanding Officers of&nbsp;56. Col. Thomas Gardner, of Massachusetts.&nbsp;57. Col. John Glover.&nbsp;8. Col. Samuel Gerrish.&nbsp;59. Lieut. Timothy Brigham, of Ward's Massachusetts regiment. He was captain of Massachusetts Militia, 1776–77.&nbsp;Corps to be answerable to the General, for an immediate obedience to this order.&nbsp;The General (or in his absence) The Commanding Officer at Roxbury, to send a Report every day in writing, Sealed up, to the Commander in Chief at Head Quarters, in Cambridge, of all the national Occurrences of the preceeding day; mentioning particularly, all Arrivals of Ships and Vessels in the bay; and what changes and alterations are made, in the Stations of the Men of war, Transport's, and floating batteries, &amp;c.

Orderly Book with George Washington’s order to have the Declaration of Independence read to his troops in New York on July 9, 1776

Original Continental Army Manuscript Orderly Book with George Washington’s order to have the Declaration of Independence read to his troops in New York on July 9, 1776

Washington's Headquarters

George Washington Papers - Continental Army Manuscript Orderly Book

A talk by Seth Kaller at Fraunces Tavern Museum, New York, on July 4, 2024

George Washington Papers - Continental Army Manuscript Orderly Book

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ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS