"In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent Measure should be taken to ward off the impending Judgments ... All confidence must be withheld from the Means we use; and reposed only on that GOD who rules in the Armies of Heaven, and without whose Blessing the best human Counsels are but Foolishness -- and all created Power Vanity."
-- John Hancock, 1775
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
Philadelphia, July 5, 1776.
GENTLEMEN: I do myself the honour to enclose, in obedience to the commands of Congress, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which I am directed to request you will have proclaimed in your Colony in the way and manner which you shall judge best.
The American States being now forever divided from those who wished to destroy them, it has become absolutely necessary, for their security and happiness, to adopt some Government of their own. In this view of the matter, the important consequences flowing from a Declaration of Independence, considered as the ground and foundation thereof, will naturally suggest the propriety of proclaiming it in such a mode that the people may be universally informed of it.
I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
Honourable Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania
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