
Benjamin Franklin. Plan for a Confederation, July 21, 1775. Printed document annotated by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division. Library of Congress (46.01) [Digital ID# us0046a — us0046a_2]
Benjamin Franklin’s proposed plan of confederation, 1775
Shortly after the revolutionary war began at Concord and Lexington, Benjamin Franklin submitted this plan for a united colonial confederation or American republic to the Continental Congress on July 21, 1775. Thomas Jefferson, a fellow delegate, annotated his copy of Franklin’s plan which began a national debate on the creation of an American Republic.