AI Generated Image
Rare Declaration of Independence seized in 1776 uncovered in London
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed in Exeter, New Hampshire shortly after July 4, 1776, has been discovered in London’s National Archives, marking the only known example outside the United States.
- The document was seized by the British Royal Navy in December 1776 after capturing the American privateer ship Dalton, whose crew was authorized by the Continental Congress to attack British vessels during the Revolutionary War.
- The Declaration was found among the Dalton's papers by volunteer archivist Michael Scurr during routine cataloging, having been overlooked for over 250 years as it was simply listed as “another paper” in the Royal Navy inventory.
- Historians note the document’s significance was not recognized at the time by the British, as it was just one of many seized papers, and its discovery highlights the ongoing value of physical archives in uncovering important historical artifacts.
- The find enriches the story of American privateers and underscores the ideological motivations behind their missions, symbolizing the fight for independence and a better world.
