lonies was unanimous in the act of separation; and
all the members present on the 4th of July, the day on which the
declaration was passed, excepting one, signed the paper; thus making
themselves individually and personally responsible for it, under the awful
pains and penalties of treason.

In connection with these discussions in relations to the declaration of
independence, a curious instance is preserved of the tone of good humor
and pleasantry which always marked the intercourse which Franklin held
with others, even in cases where interests of the most momentous
importance were concerned. When Jefferson had read his draft in the
presence of the committee, the several members had various suggestions to
make, and amendments to propose, as is usual in such cases; while the
author, as is also equally usual, was very sensitive to these criticisms,
and was unwilling to consent to any changing of his work. At length
Jefferson appearing to be quite annoyed by the changes proposed, Franklin
consoled him by saying that his case was not quite so bad, after all, as
that of John Thompson, the hatter. "He wrote a sign," said Franklin, "to
be put up over his door, which read thus, '_John Thompson makes and sells
hats for ready money_.' On showing his work to his friends they one and
all began to amend it. The first proposed to strike out 'for ready money,'
since it was obvious, he said, that if a hatter sold hats at all he would
be glad to sell them for ready money. Another thought the words 'makes and
sells hats,' superfluous--that idea being conveyed in the word 'hatter;'
and finally a third proposed to expunge the 'hatter,' and put the figure
of a hat after the name, instead, which he said would be equally well
understood, and be more striking. Thus the composition was reduced from
'John Thompson, hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money,' to simply
'John Thompson,' with the figure of a hat subjoined." The whole story was
perhaps fabricated by Franklin on the spot, for the occasion. It answered
its purpose, however, perfectly. Jefferson laughed, and his good-humor was
restored.

In the mean time during the summer of 1776 the hostile operations which
had been commenced between the new government and the parent state were
prosecuted on both sides with great vigor. Great Britain however did not
yet give up all hope of persuading the revolted provinces to return. The
English government sent out Lord Howe with instructions to co