**'Vanishingly Rare' Copy of US Declaration of Independence Discovered in the UK**
A significant historical find has emerged from the UK's National Archives—a rare copy of the American Declaration of Independence, discovered during a cataloguing project focused on naval records from the American Revolutionary War. This exceptional document, described by Graham Moore, the Revolution 250 curator at the National Archives, as "one of the rarest forms of the Declaration we know about," adds a unique chapter to the transatlantic history of the American Revolution.
The discovery comes just ahead of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration, a pivotal moment in American history that marked the Thirteen Colonies' assertion of independence from British rule. The newly found copy has a particularly intriguing backstory; it was seized by the Royal Navy following the capture of the privateer ship Dalton on Christmas Eve in 1776. The HMS Raisonable pursued the Dalton for seven hours off the coast of Portugal before successfully capturing it and transporting it back to Britain.
Moore emphasized the rarity of this copy, noting that it is the only known version taken through military action. He explained that the bureaucratic processes associated with wartime capture provide a wealth of information about this specific document, enhancing its historical significance.
The Declaration of Independence itself is one of the foundational texts of the United States, outlining the reasons for the colonies' decision to declare themselves independent sovereign states. While the original engrossed and signed version of the Declaration is preserved in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., printer John Dunlap is believed to have produced approximately 200 printed copies for distribution at the time. Currently, only 26 of these Dunlap broadsides are known to survive.
Saul Nassé, the chief executive of the National Archives, expressed excitement over the find, calling it "an extraordinary discovery." He highlighted the document's rarity and its preservation within UK state records, stating that it serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of American and British histories during the revolutionary period.
This discovery not only enriches the understanding of the Declaration's dissemination but also underscores the broader implications of the American Revolution as a transatlantic event. As the 250th anniversary approaches, this find offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the historical ties and shared narratives between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The National Archives continues to engage in projects that uncover and preserve significant historical documents, ensuring that important artifacts like this rare copy of the Declaration of Independence are recognized and appreciated for their contributions to our understanding of history.