"Vanishingly rare" copy of Declaration of Independence found in U.K.
Summary
A very rare copy of the 1776 Declaration of Independence was found in the United Kingdom's National Archives by a volunteer. This copy is one of only 11 known to exist and is believed to be the only one outside the United States.Key Facts
- The document is called the "Exeter Declaration" and was printed in Exeter, New Hampshire in 1776.
- It was found in a box of papers while being catalogued by a volunteer named Michael Scurry.
- The copy was captured from an American ship named the Dalton by the British Royal Navy in 1776 near Portugal.
- The papers were taken to Britain and stored in the National Archives, where it was labeled just as "another paper."
- The Declaration was quickly printed to spread the news of America's independence and was not meant to be kept as an important document.
- The National Archives repaired the paper to preserve it after its discovery.
- The discovery explains what the men on the Dalton ship were fighting for during the American Revolution.
- Only 11 copies of this type are known to exist, making this find very rare.
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