Congress debated an already-formed independence resolution from Virginia
Evidence
The colony’s resolution on independence had reached Philadelphia by June 7, and on that day Richard Henry Lee introduced it to Congress. “Resolved,” it proposed, “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.” — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 206
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Pendleton’s compromise left Congress, not Virginia, to declare independence — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 193; Congress debated the Virginia independence resolution before revisiting the Declaration draft