ongress appointed a Committee of Five on June 11, 1776, to explain why the American colonies decided to become independent states and wanted separation from the British Empire. The Committee consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. It was decided by the group that each member would vote their choice. Jefferson came in first and Adams second. Except for Livingston, Jefferson was the youngest of the members at thirty-three. At that point in his life his reputation did not match that of Franklin and adams.
