7 Creating a New Nation

Chapter 7 Creating a New Nation Ben reached Philadelphia on May 5, 1775. The very next morning he was asked to serve in the Continental Congress. This was a meeting of American leaders. It opened in Philadelphia on May 10. Its main job was to win the war against England. At age sixty-nine, Franklin worked twelve- hour days in Congress. One of his jobs was to organize the United States Postal Service. He soon had mail moving swiftly among all thirteen colonies. This was crucial. To win the war, people throughout America had to work together. Another job didn't go as well. In the spring of 1776, Ben was sent north to Canada with three other men. They tried to convince the Canadians to fight on America's side. Their efforts failed.

Worse still, Ben nearly died from the cold and the strain of the trip. But he made it back to Philadelphia in time to take part in the great question of the day.

Should America declare its independence from England? The American people were divided. Many thought the war would end quickly and the tax trouble would be solved. Then America could

return to English rule. But just as many Americans wanted to break free of England and form a new country. America's leaders were also divided. Benjamin Franklin was a leader of the congressmen who wanted to create a new nation. Congress was to vote on the issue in July of 1776. If the vote came out for independence, America would need to explain exactly why it was breaking away from England. Congress asked five men to write a Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin was one. Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was another.

Jefferson did most of the writing. Ben made a few changes. For example, Jefferson wrote: "We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable." Ben improved it to: "We hold these truths to be self-evident." This was a simpler way to say that some things were plain to see.

Congress voted on July 2. With a little arm- twisting by Ben, the vote came out strongly for independence. The thirteen Colonies were now the United States of America. Congress approved the Declaration two days later. Ever since, Americans have honored that day—July 4, 1776—as the country's birthday. At the signing of the Declaration, Ben reportedly made a famous comment. John