In the days
leading up to July 4, 1776,
Continental Congressmen John Adams
and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas
Jefferson into writing the
declaration of Independence as a
delaying tactic as they try to
persuade the American colonies to
support a resolution on
independence. As George Washington
sends depressing messages describing
one military disaster after
another, the businessmen, landowners
and slave holders in Congress all
stand in the way of the Declaration,
and a single "nay" vote will forever
end the question of independence.
Large portions of spoken and sung
dialog are taken directly from the
letters and memoirs of the actual
participants.
