“The object is great which we have in view, and we must expect a great expense of blood to obtain it. But we should always remember that a free constitution of civil government cannot be purchased at too dear a rate, as there is nothing on this side of Jerusalem of equal importance to mankind.”
Written July 1, 1776…the day of first major vote on the Declaration which, perhaps not surprisingly, ended with 3 colonies against (South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Delaware) and New York abstained. So, rather than the united front they all realized was necessary, the colonies were 9-3-1…and many others had voted against. Thus, Adams is writing that night to Archibald Bulloch, another delegate, explaining that to him, any fear of bloodshed should not hold them back. The following day, after some late night negotiation and arm-twisting, the leaders from Pennsylavania who were opposed did not come to the vote, allowing the state to vote yes. When South Carolina saw that, they too voted yes (though reluctantly). New York continued to abstain but professed support for the measure, and in the last moment, a missing delegate from Delaware burst into the room, voting in the affirmative, so that state also switched to the positive. Final vote on the second was 12-0-1…a much better result.