Key in Lower Margin: "Thomas Jefferson. Rodger Sherman. Benjamin Franklin. Robert Livingston. John James."

Legend in Lower Margin: "Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia; John Adams, of Massachusetts; Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsylvania; Rodger Sherman, of Connecticut; Robert R. Livingston, of New York, were appointed June 11th 1776 a committee to draw up a Declaration in accordance with the resolution offered in Congress, June 7th 1776, by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, (who being suddenly called to the bedside of his sick wife, was unable to serve personally upon the Committee,) the Declaration was prepared by the Chairman, Thomas Jefferson, and with few alterations reported by the Committee to the Congress July 1st and at mid-day July 4th 1776, the Thirteen Colonies were declared, Free and Independent States, under the name of the United States of America."

Copyright lower margin: Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1876 By Currier & Ives, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.