The “Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms” puts forth the reasons for America’s rebellion that were raised in the 1775 congressional declaration.

Although the final manifesto stressed a hope for the restoration of peace, Thomas Jefferson's draft was a “Spirited Manifesto,” according to John Adams (1735–1826). The spirited and creative qualities of Jefferson’s writing helped secure his selection as chair of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776.