In Congress, July 4, 1776. A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, 1776. This broadside is of particular interest because it contains the legislative order noting how the document should be distributed. Each church was to receive a copy, and the ministers were “required to read” it to their congregations. The attached note by E. P. Cummins states that this copy was sent to the town of Charlton, Massachusetts, on July 17, 1776, and read by the Rev. Caleb Curtis “as directed.” This and similar copies would have been hung on tavern and/or meetinghouse doors. click either image to enlarge |
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