Declaration of Independence Document Folder, Treasures of The New York Public Library by Paperblanks (Declaration of Independence)

The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States of America and a powerful endorsement of self-governance. Reproduced on the back cover of this folder is one of several manuscript copies written by Thomas Jefferson, which show the text as its author intended. Passages altered by Congress during the ratification process are underlined, including a condemnation of the slave trade, which was excised to appease the Southern colonies. A section of the Declaration’s final version, including the autographs of the signatories, is depicted on the front.