History Made Every Day™

Benjamin Franklin, Plan for a Confederation, July 21, 1775.
Printed document annotated by Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress

Benjamin Franklin's proposed plan of confederation, 1775

Shortly after the revolutionary war began at Concord and Lexington, Benjamin Franklin submitted this plan for a united colonial confederation or American republic to the Continental Congress on July 21, 1775. Thomas Jefferson, a fellow delegate, annotated his copy of Franklin's plan which began a national debate on the creation of an American Republic.

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Thomas Jefferson. Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence, June–July 1776.
Manuscript.
Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress

The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and heavily amended by the Continental Congress, boldly asserted humanity's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as well as the American colonies' right to revolt against an oppressive British government. Jefferson's "original Rough draught" illustrates Jefferson's literary flair and records key changes made by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and the Continental Congress before its July 4, 1776, adoption.

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Thomas Jefferson. Map of the Capital District, 1791.
Manuscript map.
Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress

This plan for the United States capital district, which became known as Washington or the District of Columbia, was drawn by Thomas Jefferson in 1791. As secretary of state, Jefferson was one of the leaders in planning the capital district. Jefferson's rough map shows the Capitol and president's house before final placement decisions were made. The federal government did not move to Washington until November 1800.

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