FROM

JANUARY,

1775,

JULY

9, 1776

with independence pending possible final efforts for reconciliation The resolutions embodied, so far as it was posthe mother country. sible for them to do, an absolute prohibition of support of independfurther inence by the New York delegates at Philadelphia until instructi ons No further structions should be dispatched to them. ot ion Declarat the of tion promulga the of time were sent up to the Notwithstanding this condition of Independence-- the 4th of July. things, four of the delegates from New York-- William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, and our Lewis Mori is-- had the great courage to ignore the dissuasions of the qualified representatives of the people in their home colony, and sign their names to the immortal Of this number, there is no room for doubt that the instrument. signer contributed by Westchester County was inflexibly resolved upon that line of conduct from the first, and entirely without referlie did not unite with Floyd, Wience to instructions from home. and ner, Robert R Livingston, Lewis in their letter of June 8 soliciting instructions, but deemed himself fully qualified as a duly chosen representative from NewYork to act upon the measure acjudgcording to his individual ment. It can scarcely be questioned that his bold attitude, in which he was joined by the highly respected Philip Livingston, was influential in persuading two of the signers of the communication of June S to in like manner set duty above caution. Particularly apropos to the four courageous delegates from New York, in view of the embarrassing circumstances which compassed them about, is the magnificent tribute LEWIS MORRIS, of the Abbe Raynal to the signers Signer of the Declaration of Independence. of the Declaration: "With what 'CUeroll: grandeur, with what enthusiasm, should I not speak of those . men who erected this grand edifice by their patience, their wisdom, and their courage!