Jefferson of Virginia, Benjamin Franklin
of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, Roger Sherman of
Connecticut and John Adams of Massachusetts to draw up a declaration
of independence. And now gentlemen, the American Army needs a head.
Who shall it be?

P. HENRY: I think Mr. Adams has a man in view.

HANCOCK: Mr. Adams.

ADAMS: I have but one man in mind, a gentleman from Virginia, whose
skill and experience as an officer, whose independent fortune,
great talents and excellent universal character would command the
approbation of all America and unite the Colonies better than any
other person in the Union. If you speak of solid information and
sound judgment, Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest
man on the floor.

LEE: Mr. President.

HANCOCK: Mr. Lee.

LEE: I nominate Colonel Washington as Commander in Chief of the
American Army.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS: I second that motion.

HANCOCK: It has been moved and seconded that Colonel Washington be
made Commander in Chief of the American Army. All those in favor
say Aye.

Aye! Aye!

HANCOCK: Not in favor, no. (All Aye). Then General Washington is
Commander in Chief of the American Army.

(Cheers).

(Goes to ante room and brings in Washington who left during Mr.
Adams' speech).

Gentlemen, this is General Washington, Commander in Chief of the
American Army.

(More Cheers).

WASHINGTON: I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this
room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity I do not think
myself equal to the task I am honored with.

_End of Act III._

ACT IV.

INTRODUCTION:

The signing of the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July
4th, 1776 by a Congress of representatives of the Colonies assembled
in the State House in Philadelphia.

The next act will be the signing of the Declaration of Independence
as written by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.

PRES. HANCOCK: After several days of debating in Congress the
Declaration of Independence as written by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia
is about to be accepted. Is there anything more to say on the subject,
gentlemen? Mr. Jefferson have you?

JEFFERSON: Mr. Hancock and Gentlemen. We feel that good reasons must
be shown to the world and to those brave Englishmen, Pitt and Burke
who have been our defenders for breaking away from our Mother Country.
We have tried to show these causes in the paper that I have written.

HANC