Independence is Near
The Second Continental Congress convened in May of 1775, electing John Hancock as its president. By then, the war had started. The Olive Branch Petition, drawn up by John Dickinson, which tried to resolve issues between the Colonies and Great Britain, was sent to the King, but he refused to receive it. As the British authority started to collapse, the Continental Congress took over as the government. Anti-independence members of Congress changed their minds after Parliament authorized the seizure of all colonial vessels. In response, Congress opened ports to all foreign powers except Britain. By 1775, although other solutions for a peaceful end were considered, it was becoming increasingly unlikely that one would be found. By April of 1776, Silas Deane had secured France's informal support for the Colonies. Congress also drafted the Model Treaty to seek support from not only France but also from Spain.
In April of 1776, the North Carolina Provincial Congress authorized its Delegates to vote for independence at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The Halifax Resolves, listing grievances against Great Britain and calling for independence, were agreed upon by all 83 members and stated the Congress’s intentions for independence, which were part of the meeting's minutes. 
On May 15, the House of Burgesses in Virginia also voted on a resolution concerning independence. On June 7, 1776, under the instructions of the Virginia Convention, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution to the Continental Congress in 
Lee ResolutionPhiladelphia, which stated that the Colonies should be free and independent states. Where the Lee Resolution states that the colonies “are and of right ought to be free and independent states”, the Halifax Resolves listed the grievances against the king.
On June 11th, three committees were set up to work on the resolution. Those committees were tasked with:
- Forming foreign alliances
- Preparing and digesting the form of a confederation
- Drafting a document or Declaration – A petition to the King of England
