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NAPOLEON HILL THINK AND GROW RICH

nies, beginning at the opening of the First Continental Congress, and continuing
at intervals for two years-until on June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee arose, ad-
dressed the Chair, and to the startled Assembly made this motion:

"Gentlemen, I make the motion that these United Colonies are, and of right ought
to be free and independent states, that they be 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."

Lee's astounding motion was discussed fervently, and at such length that he be-
gan to lose patience. Finally, after days of argument, he again took the floor, and
declared, in a clear, firm voice, "Mr. President, we have discussed this issue for
days. It is the only course for us to follow. Why, then Sir, do we longer delay? Why
still deliberate? Let this happy day give birth to an American Republic. Let her
arise, not to devastate and to conquer, but to reestablish the reign of peace, and
of law. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us. She demands of us a living example
of freedom, that may exhibit a contrast, in the felicity of the citizen, to the ever
increasing tyranny."

Before his motion was finally voted upon, Lee was called back to Virginia, because
of serious family illness, but before leaving, he placed his cause in the hands of his
friend, Thomas Jefferson, who promised to fight until favorable action was taken.
Shortly thereafter the President of the Congress (Hancock), appointed Jefferson
as Chairman of a Committee to draw up a Declaration of Independence.

Long and hard the Committee labored, on a document which would mean, when
accepted by the Congress, that EVERY MAN WHO SIGNED IT, WOULD BE
SIGNING HIS OWN DEATH WARRANT, should the Colonies lose in the fight
with Great Britain, which was sure to follow.

The document was drawn, and on June 28, the original draft was read before the
Congress. For several days it was discussed, altered, and made ready. On July 4,
1776, Thomas Jefferson stood before the Assembly, and fearlessly read the most
momentus DECISION ever placed upon paper.

"When in the course of human events it is necessary for one people to dissolve
the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume,
among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws
of Nature, and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of
mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation. . .