Show original draft of I 1 the declaration 44 RESENT DAY visitors to the state department al though they may not see the original declaration of independence can inspect aspect something radix a P almost as interesting JJ namely the original draft of the declaration la ia jeffersons handwriting with a few interlineations made by franklin frandin and adams adama this is displayed in a steel cabinet that stands adjacent to the safe containing the original declaration the steel exhibition cabinet also holds one of the facsimiles of the engrossed copy of the declaration one of those reproductions made by president monroe in a glass case in this same treasure house of historic mementoes memento ep la Is the small plain unpolished mahogany desk on which jefferson wrote the declaration of independence this interesting relic came into the possession of the government in 1880 the desk had been given by thomas jefferson to joseph coolidge jr upon the occasion of the batters lat marriage to jeffersons granddaughter jigs randolph rdolph na on the libath of mr coolidge whose wife had died a or two previously the desk became the property of their four children and was by them thein presented to the nation it was wao the expressed wish of the donors to offer it to the united states that it may have a place in the department of state with the immortal in instrument which was written upon it in 1776 11 the desk bears an inscription in jeffersons handwriting as follows thomas thomaa jefferson gives this writing desk to joseph coolidge Cool fdge jr as a memorial of his affection it was made from a drawing of his own by rien den randall cabinet maker of philadelphia delp hla with whom aie he first lodged on his arrival in that city in may 1776 and Is the identical one on which he wrote the declaration of independence politics as well as religion has its superstitions these gaining strength with time may one day give imaginary value to this relic for its association with the birth of the great charter of our independence mond cello november No rember IS 18 1825 11 |