What You Need to Know
• A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence was discovered in London after being lost for 250 years.
• The document, printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, shortly after July 4, 1776, aimed to announce American independence.
• Only 11 copies of the Exeter printing exist, with this being the first found outside the United States.
LONDON — A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, lost for 250 years, has been discovered in London, making it the only known example of its kind outside the United States. Printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, just days after the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776, this document was intended to disseminate news of American independence throughout the colonies. The early copy remained in Britain’s National Archives until a volunteer cataloging records from the American Revolutionary War found it in May 2023 among papers of Royal Navy captains. Until this discovery, no copies of the so-called Exeter printing had been located outside the United States, with only 11 copies known to survive. The Declaration was part of a collection of papers seized by the Royal Navy in December 1776 after capturing the American privateer vessel, the Dalton.
Why It Matters
The discovery of this rare copy of the Declaration of Independence enhances our understanding of the historical context surrounding American independence. The document’s significance lies in its role in disseminating revolutionary ideals during the American Revolutionary War. The Exeter printing illustrates how the message of independence was spread, particularly through privateers like the Dalton, which were authorized to disrupt British trade. This find not only adds to the historical narrative of the American Revolution but also highlights the international implications of the struggle for independence.
Read the Full Story →
