The Declaration of Independence is a foundational document in American history, formally asserting the thirteen colonies’ right to self-governance. Adopted on July 4, 1776, it articulated principles of liberty, equality, and unalienable rights. This document provided a philosophical basis for the American Revolution, outlining grievances against the British Crown and declaring the colonies as independent sovereign states. Its enduring language continues to inspire discussions about freedom and government’s role in securing individual rights.
The Original Signed Document
The single, engrossed parchment document housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., represents the official, signed Declaration of Independence. This version was meticulously handwritten by Timothy Matlack and signed by the delegates of the Continental Congress, primarily on August 2, 1776. Congress ordered its creation on July 19, following the text’s adoption on July 4.
This engrossed document is crafted on parchment, a specially prepared animal skin, which is more durable than paper. Over time, the original has faded significantly, with some parts of the text and many signatures becoming difficult to read. Its unique status as the document bearing the original signatures distinguishes it from other reproductions.
Early Printed Editions
Following its adoption on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress recognized the need to rapidly disseminate the Declaration’s text. They commissioned John Dunlap, the official printer to Congress, to produce the first printed copies. These initial prints are known as “Dunlap Broadsides,” large single-sheet documents designed for public display and distribution.
Dunlap printed an estimated 100 to 200 copies through the night of July 4th and into July 5th. These broadsides were dispatched by horseback to assemblies, conventions, committees of safety, and commanding officers of the Continental troops throughout the thirteen states. General George Washington, for instance, received a copy and had it read to his troops on July 9.
Today, 26 Dunlap Broadsides are known to exist. These surviving copies are scattered across various institutions and a few private collections, with some even residing in British repositories. The Dunlap Broadsides did not include the names of all the signers, bearing only the names of John Hancock as president and Charles Thomson as secretary. In January 1777, Mary Katharine Goddard printed another official broadside that was the first to list all the signatories.
Later Reproductions and Their Significance
As the original engrossed Declaration began to deteriorate in the early 19th century, concerns grew about preserving its text and signatures. In 1820, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned William J. Stone, a Washington engraver, to create a full-size facsimile. Stone’s task was to produce an exact copperplate engraving that would accurately reproduce the original document’s appearance.
Stone meticulously copied the Declaration for nearly three years. His 1823 engraving is regarded as the most faithful representation of the document as it looked at the time of its signing, before significant fading occurred. Congress authorized the printing of 200 copies from Stone’s copperplate, primarily on parchment, which were then distributed to government officials, institutions, and the surviving signers.
These Stone engravings became the source for most subsequent reproductions of the Declaration, making its image widely recognizable. Approximately 50 of these 1823 Stone engravings are known to survive today. While speculation exists that Stone’s process might have contributed to the original’s degradation, his work was instrumental in preserving an accurate visual record of the Declaration.
Current Status and Preservation
The original, signed engrossed Declaration of Independence is permanently housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., within the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. It is displayed alongside the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights in a specially designed case that employs a humidified argon environment and light filters to prevent further degradation. Conservation scientists continuously monitor its condition.
The 26 known Dunlap Broadsides are held in various institutions across the United States and the United Kingdom. Notable locations include the Library of Congress, the National Archives (which holds one inserted into the Continental Congress’s journal), and several university libraries and historical societies. These early printed editions are carefully preserved in climate-controlled environments to protect them from environmental damage.
The 1823 William J. Stone engravings are also found in various collections, including the National Archives, the New York Historical Society, and other museums and libraries. Preservation efforts for these significant historical documents involve careful handling, controlled display conditions, and ongoing conservation research to ensure their survival.