Yesterday, we sent out our firm’s annual Fourth of July e-newsletter. We hope you’ll take the time to look at it, and even more so, take some time to read or listen to The Declaration of Independence. Have a safe and celebratory Fourth of July everyone!
>>>>>>>
Resolved: That these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states…
On this day, July SECOND, in 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution that the 13 “united colonies” were now “states” — free and independent from the British crown.
The next morning (while a more formal declaration was being hammered out by “Mr. Jefferson from Virginia”) John Adams wrote a letter to his wife Abigail. In it, he expressed just how important the occasion was:
Yesterday the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states…You will see In a few days a declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man.
John to Abigail: “You will think me transported with enthusiasm” for The Second of July!
In a second letter, written that evening, he predicted “The Second of July” would be the new nation’s day of celebration:
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival… with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
Even though Mr. Adams may have missed the mark on which date on the calendar would get notoriety, he was “spot on” when he concluded to his wife and closest confidante:
You will think me transported with enthusiasm; but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory; I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph…
Regardless what kind of “bells, bonfires or illuminations” you choose to celebrate this 237th anniversary of our nation’s independence, I do hope it is done safely for you and your family.
Read more in my LEGAL TRENDS e-newsletter.
Click here to return to Daisley Law 
About Mike
Mike Daisley is a civil litigation attorney and Certified Mediator in Charlotte, North Carolina, and owner and president of "DaisleyLegal" a virtual law firm focused on helping victims of drunk driving injuries and other careless individuals and corporations. He devotes a significant time of his practice as a mediator in North Carolina's Superior Courts, using his 35 years of litigation experience to counsel and assist opposing parties to resolve their disputes and lawsuits cooperatively, avoiding the high expenses and time commitments involved in going to trial.
In addition to his commitment to Civil Trial Advocacy and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mike is also an avid writer, and has a wide array of interests outside of his legal practice, including stints as a columnist for The Charlotte Observer, political analyst for WCNC-TV and WBT Radio. Mike’s biggest passion outside the law is learning and writing about theology, and especially the role doubt plays in faith, the role faith plays (or should play) in politics, and (as he puts it) the “beauty and deep mystery” of the liturgy.
Mike is a lifelong Episcopalian, and often jokes that means "I am a raging agnostic at least two or three days a week.” In 2019, he was appointed by the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina as a licensed Lay Preacher in the Episcopal Church.
(A sample of Mike’s preaching can be heard here: http://www.stmartins-charlotte.org/content.cfm?id=2245&download_id=269#attached_content)
To discuss the possibility of teaching, lecture, sermon or interview requests (or to make any comments or suggestions about the “WithGladness” blog) you may contact Mike at any
Office email : Mike@DaisleyLegal.com
Personal email: MikeDaisley@outlook.com
Office voicemail: (704) 554-2306
Mike Daisley & Associates, LLC
1515 Mockingbird Lane, Suite 400
Charlotte, North Carolina 28209
NCLegalTrends.com from DaisleyLaw, PLLC 