[Music]
[Applause]
I still I
know the truth will rise and
fall that's just go a word now to the
wise the world was
made he St a
surprise looking at life my own eyes
searching for a hero to idolize feeling
the pain as
innocent I my heart battle that freed
get my Independence declare it on the
line your freedom ring and patriotic
voes sing white GL never give up you
represent America anding for a brighter
day I listen to my heart and I oy how
can I see it any other way I'm looking
at
my
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
my here are some exciting scenes from
today's episode of Liberty's Kids we
need an official declaration to fix the
people to our cause the hessan have
arrived General Washington said that
that there 18,000 troops the time for
talk has passed it's time to act we must
all hang together or most assuredly we
shall all hang
[Music]
separately 6 June 17
76 dearest mother in the last Congress
some of the delegates believe Dr
Franklin and Mr John Adams were plotting
treason against the king however this
Congress hasn't a single delegate still
loyal to the
[Music]
crown James and HRI have journeyed to
New York where James hopes to interview
General Washington for The Gazette
Provisions are every bit as low as
morale to answer your question bluntly
Provisions
morale not so hard oh sorry you're with
the Pennsylvania Gazette aren't you
we've met before in Philadelphia and
Boston perhaps you can answer a question
for me what in the world is going on at
the State House from what I understand
long drawn out arguments we need an
official declaration to fix the people
to our cause the publication of Common
Sense changed many men's Minds in our
favor but it's time for Congress to act
to exploit public opinion we need a
complete united front see for yourself
[Music]
here who are
they passions has what German
soldiers there's hundreds of them and
more on the way King George III has made
a deal with German princes to hire
18,000 troops but General Washington
you'll be outnumbered what will you do
[Music]
there is very little we can do against
the British and the Hans not without
help from Congress but what can Congress
do they can issue a proclamation of
independence then the French government
may be persuaded to send troops to help
us face this Onslaught we've got to get
back home to tell Dr Franklin about
[Music]
this excuse me but we need our horse
right away what's your hurry we have to
tell Dr Franklin about the Hans you mean
Ben Franklin we have to tell Dr Franklin
so that Congress can get the French to
help
us well in that case I'll get right on
it hey let me go watch out on Reed
they're Tories get the boy they want to
warn Franklin about the new
[Music]
troops never mind him let's lock this
way in the
[Music]
barn what is it man James he's been
taken prisoner by the blacksmith and
some men who is James he's my friend we
have to go tell Dr Franklin the Hans are
here so Congress can help and these men
want to stop us
Tories say have in there
[Music]
let's force it
[Music]
open what are you doing that's my stable
we're looking for a boy nothing in there
but horses what did you do to
him what is this little fellow yammering
on
about you can't do that you just did
that's private property and that's a
human being James and you're a Tory
kidnapper you can't do anything to
me I don't know what I can ever do to
repay you I do get your horse and Ride
Like the Wind to tell Dr Franklin the
news we need some help from
[Music]
Congress Dr Franklin Dr Franklin
dory's got James the Hans have arrived
she wouldn't let him out good Heavens
they tried to stop us General Washington
said that there are 18,000 troops they
locked James up in a barn HS lock you in
a barn are you trying to worry us to
death HRI saved my life you look a
fright that blacksmith was a Tory he
didn't want us to bring the news to Dr
Franklin I sh let you out of my sight
for fear of the trouble you find start
over James what did the Tories not want
you to tell me King George has sent
18,000 troops the hessin we saw them
arrive General Washington wants Congress
yes I know resolution on Independence we
must try harder to get Congress moving
or we'll be finding HS in our
[Music]
beds the chair recognizes Richard Henry
Lee of
Virginia Mr President I would offer
three resolutions that the colonies are
in fact free and independent states
absolved of all allegiance to Great
Britain that the independent States seek
to form foreign alliances and that the
independent states establish a plan of
Confederation I second all three
resolves
[Applause]
order in the chambers
order he's done it Le of Virginia what a
headline that's going to make what's an
act of treason against the king treason
your King has sent German troops to
attack us I want on re be
[Music]
careful oh no
Mr Dickinson I'm with the Pennsylvania
Gazette how nice for you what are the
hopes for passing the independence
resolution few and far between
Independence is dangerous and impossible
could you explain that answer sir
dangerous because without the protection
of the crown the frontier will fall to
the Indians and a European power more
ruthless than England will gain
ownership of the colonies impossible
because only New England and the South
want independence the mid little
colonies New York New Jersey Maryland
Delaware and Pennsylvania will never
vote for it but Thomas Payne's Common
Sense has changed a lot of people's
minds common sense is anything
but and just as Mr John Dickinson tried
to infer that pay's Common Sense is a
waste of time I don't think infer is the
word you want to use yes it is she's
right well it sounds good words have a
great power James I know I'm a
journalist you have to be more careful
in choosing them what would be the right
word suggest doesn't sound as good but
it communicates your meaning even with
the right word this article is no good I
don't know whether Congress is going to
adopt the
resolution Dr Franklin is having a
secret meeting upstairs about just that
[Music]
subject so it is our job to come up with
a written statement of Independence on
which Congress is to vote so you'd
better start working on it John not me
Franklin my shrill insistence and lack
of tact have made me too obnoxious if
the others know it's my hand on the pen
they'll tear it to shreds whom do you
propose to write it you Dr Franklin you
are the most famous writer on the
continent I pass I write for the
amusement of my readers and myself I
will not write something only to have a
congress rewrite it what about Roger
Sherman or Rob Rob Bert Livingston
they're on the committee as well they
can barely write their names Jefferson
you have a fine mind and a gift for
language me
you it will be an honor to turn what
talents I have to this cause I only hope
I prove Worthy
[Music]
where's Mr Jefferson going in such a
hurry he's got a lot of writing to
do draat have to do better than
that go away just want to ask him some
questions he's too busy
working working on what I think I know a
way to find out how never mind just wait
for me back at the print shop
[Music]
go away chambermaid oh all right let
yourself
[Music]
in when in the course of human events it
becomes necessary for one people to
destroy the
when in the course of human events it
becomes imperative to cut us under
the when in the course of human events
it becomes desirable for one people to
dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another it's
sedition he's writing an explanation for
breaking off all ties to the crown
finally a declaration of independence
but why does he keep starting over why
not just write it and have done on
remember what I said about the power of
words but doesn't he know that action is
needed now it is important to take the
necessary time to choose the correct
words especially when defying a
[Music]
king and do all other acts and things
which independent states May of right do
and for the support of this declaration
with airm firm Reliance on the
protection of Divine Providence we
mutually pledge to each other Our lives
our fortunes and our sacred
honor
order the chair recognizes John
Dickinson of
Pennsylvania James look those men need
help we don't have time we're already
late for the reading of the Declaration
and this rain doesn't help but they'll
get soaked so are we look that one man
has a collar he's a man of God we're
stopping all
right need some help bless you lad what
we need is transportation to the State
House hop in that's just where we're
headed peace and prosperity would be the
benefits of
Independence unlike my esteemed
colleague Mr Dickinson I have nothing
but contempt for the present situation
and nothing but hope for
the we've been detained by the
elements order please explain this
Interruption I'm the Reverend John
Witherspoon and we are the newly elected
New Jersey delegation we've been
instructed by the New Jersey provincial
convention to support the resolution for
Independence
[Music]
order this is a most welcome
Interruption are we late for the vote
thank heavens no thank the heavens
indeed but thank these young people
without their help we might have missed
it I can't thank you enough we are happy
to have been of service can we stay in
watch please take the seats behind mine
but you must not tell anyone what is
said here
all in
favor all
opposed that was only a straw vote to
see where we stand only Delaware and
Pennsylvania stand against the
independence resolution but in order to
adopt it the vote must be unanimous the
actual vote will take place tomorrow
morning until then we are dismissed rat
if only Caesar Rodney of Delaware were
here he'd vote with us and bring
Delaware to our side Caesar Rodney is
bedridden wait a minute James could you
and Moses race to Delaware to visit a
sick
[Music]
friend if it's thieves I'm alone you'll
only have me to
Rob we're not robbers ah then you've
come to escort me to the next world no
just Philadelphia that's a far cry from
Heaven Dr Franklin sent us with news of
the independence resolution the vote is
tomorrow and your vote is very important
help me out of bed gentlemen
[Applause]
wouldn't it be better if you rode in the
carriage with us speed is everything God
[Music]
[Music]
thanks again
fellows that cough sounds bad we' better
try to keep up with him I don't
understand why you wouldn't let us take
it now you've seen a real
[Music]
hero dad
Rodney I've got to make it
[Music]
[Applause]
inside as I believe the voice of my
constituents and of all sensible and
honest men is in favor of Independence
my own judgment concurs with
them I vote for
Independence it's unanimous the
resolution on Independence
passes he made
it you got the yes vote for Pennsylvania
Mr Dickinson saw the inevitability of
our cause and stayed home
at last America is
independent marck my words this day July
second will be remembered as the most
revered day in American history an
occasion for Games sports Bells bonfires
and
Illumination in accordance with the
wishes of the delegates let us now
debate Mr Jefferson's declaration debate
what the time for talk has passed it's
time to act the bonfires and
illuminations may have to wait John the
Congress wants to quibble over the
words but you're cutting my document to
pieces I count 30 deletions and changes
so far more than a quarter of the length
is gone your pride is understandable Mr
Jefferson you have written a magnificent
document but it's vital for us to be
United as we take this drastic step
the chair recognizes Mr rutage of South
Carolina why do they have to cut the
life out of the Declaration it's fine as
it is it goes back to what I've said
before the power of words they are
choosing a set of words for which men
will surely fight and die great care
must be
taken there a signature big enough for
King George to see it all the way from
London now Franklin we must all hang
together or most assuredly we shall all
hang
[Music]
separately that these United Colonies
are and of right ought to be free and
independent states that they are
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 and that as free and
independent states they have full power
to Levy w*r conclude peace contract
alliances establish Commerce and do all
other acts and things which independent
states May of right right do and for the
support of this declaration with a firm
Reliance on the protection of Divine
Providence we mutually pledge to each
other Our lives our fortunes and our
sacred
honor and there you have it men our
Declaration of Independence July 4th
1776 Independence Freedom
Independence the king
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
this is amazing that one document can
have this effect on tired dispirited
soldiers this is madness where will it
end in Independence if the purpose of
the Declaration is to gain popular
support for the cause of Independence it
looks like it's working this will make
it easier for the United States of
America to appeal to the French for
Military
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
Support oh my
goodness I have to admit it Sarah you
and Mr Jefferson have taught me a lesson
I'll never forget about the Power of
Words
[Applause]
Independence my searching for a hero
toid feeling the pain as
innocent looking at a my own
I take my heart battle give that freedom
get
my it on the line blue never give up you
represent
[Music]
America cookie
[Laughter]
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01x14 - The First Fourth of July
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Benjamin Franklin and four fictional associates experience the American Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin and four fictional associates experience the American Revolution.