Rare copy of Declaration of Independence found by UK National Archives in papers of captured U.S. privateer ship
Summary
A volunteer at Britain's National Archives found a rare early copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in documents related to a captured American privateer ship from 1776. This copy was taken from the privateer Dalton, captured by the British Navy, and it is the only known Exeter printing outside the United States.Key Facts
- The document was found by Michael Scurr while cataloging Royal Navy captain’s papers.
- It is an early printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, made between July 16-19, 1776.
- This edition is called the Exeter printing; only 11 original copies are known to exist.
- The document was found attached to a report on the capture of the American privateer Dalton on Christmas Eve 1776.
- Dalton was a private ship authorized by the Continental Congress to fight British vessels.
- The British warship HMS Raisonnable captured the Dalton near Portugal after a seven-hour chase.
- The Dalton’s crew was imprisoned in harsh conditions in England, with some surviving over two years of captivity.
- The document likely was read aloud on the ship to motivate and inform the crew about the reason for their fight.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
