"From The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson"

Charles So
English 48A
Journal on Jefferson

Author Quote:
"As the sentiments of men are known not only by what they recieve, but what they reject also"(652)

Internet Quote:
"Approach him from any side and ever new manifestation of power unfathomed, perhaps even unsuspected, reveal themselves"( in The Writings of Thomas Jefferson by Richard Holland Johnston of Jefferson Memorial Association found in googlescholar.com search Thomas Jefferson and Declaration of Independence)

Summary:
In Thomas Jefferson's Autobiography, Jefferson gives actual accounts of the preceding before, during, and after events of the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence. In the portion of Jefferson's autobiography, he outlines the original Declaration he wrote and the edited one signed and agreed upon by Congress and himself. The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the newly formed Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the 13 colonies were now independent states, and no longer a part of the British. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson by the congress's wishes, the Declaration is a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to split ties with Britain.

Personal Opinion:
The original work of the Declaration is much more fierce and heated, there is a great deal of anger and frustration vented out in the original that has been cut. Congress probably chose to cut those sentiments because they are very up front and offensive in many ways. Jefferson, speaks out on the  British and the Crown, he explains the cruelty and misbehaviors of the King who misuse and manipulate his power to keep control over his reign in the original. Almost all of the end is cut and deleted out of the original, an example of the deleted last portion talks about letting go the ties and bond to Europe as Jefferson explains how the King is sending in mercenaries from all over Europe to try and stop America. This portion was probably cut because it talks about a very sensitive subject of breaking away from family in Europe as they are the enemy now until peace.