In a message dated 10/30/01 12:16:52 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<  It was the Continental Congress that declared
 independence and that signed and approved the Treaty of Paris. >>

There were resolutions of independence by each of the separate colonies.  The
resolution offered by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia on June 7, 1776, "that
these colonies are and of a right ought to be, free and independent states,"
was approved by the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. On March 3, 1781,
all thirteen states ratified the Articles of Confederation naming the new
nation, "The United States of America." The Treaty of Paris was not signed
until September 3, 1783.
_____________________________________________________________________ Richard
E. Dixon
Attorney at Law
4122 Leonard Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-0770
fax 703-691-0978
______________________________________________________________________

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