The Founding Fathers seemed to have had it all: the courage to break off from England; a unifying vision for the future; an auspicious passion for the new country. The bravery of these men are why America exists. How lucky we are to have had fervent souls accomplish such a feat! But there’s just one thing these resilient men couldn’t shake: horseflies.
Philadelphia was sweltering in the summer of 1776. Thomas Jefferson, a keen weather-junkie, kept a daily weather journal—where he recorded the temperature to be 76 degrees on the afternoon of the 4th. That doesn’t seem hot at all! you might exclaim. The delegates wore long stockings, heavy suits, and sometimes thick-haired wigs—so 76 degrees to them was most likely miserable. After all, it’s not like John Adams could say to Ben Franklin, “Do you mind to crank up the air conditioner?” (Although, Ben Franklin did actually develop a science that was later used to patent the first AC in 1902.)
Having already met for three days, the delegates were tired and eager to adopt the important document. Throw heat into the mix, and the delegates grew even more irritable. And, being the honorable men that they were, I’m sure they all agreed to let some air inside the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall). So that’s what they did, by opening some windows.
Ahh, the fresh breeze of Philadelphia air. It seemed as if the surliness of the delegates had vanished. Suddenly, the important matter at hand wasn’t so bad after all. That is, until . . .
Wooosh! A swarm of horseflies came rushing in through the windows, attacking the already-annoyed delegates. The horseflies swarmed in masses, causing a scene. Some delegates, as Thomas Jefferson’s biographer put it, “lashed the flies with such vigor,” using their handkerchiefs to swat them away.
The delegates had wanted to officially sign the document that day, but with the annoyance at its most extreme, the Congress actually made a different decision: to go home. That’s right—the day we celebrate America’s independence isn’t actually the day America became independent! A month later on August 2, the 56 delegates officially signed and adopted the document that established the United Colonies (shortly thereafter, the United States of America).
Perhaps we hold another truth to be self-evident, that all horseflies are more powerful than even the most resilient of men.
References
Massachusetts Historical Society: Coolidge Collection of Thomas Jefferson Manuscripts, 1705-1827, Other Volumes, 1766-1824, Memorandum Book, 1776-1778.
Franklin and Air-Conditioning. (n.d.). USHistory.Org.
Parton, J. (1874). Life of Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States. Internet Archive.
Art generated by DALL-E.
Very enlightening. That’ll teach them not to open the window. I wasn’t aware that the delegates didn’t sign the The Independence Day declarations until August 4th a month later. I really enjoyed the humor of the horseflies and hankies. Good piece, I learned and laughed
Interesting read!