Original copy of Declaration of Independence on display at Dallas Public Library

by PegNews wire

Other incredibly old and important documents in the exhibit include Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, the Magna Carta, and essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

The Declaration of Independence in its exhibit case

DALLAS — A handwritten letter from Benjamin Franklin is one of the highlights of an exhibition at the Dallas Public Library that showcases the development of the United States. Franklin wrote the letter after making a trip to Canada to raise money for the American Revolution. “Democracy in America,” is on display through Aug. 15 on the 3rd and 7th floors of the Central Library at 1515 Young St.

Other documents on display include the British Stamp Act and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. Philosophical works that influenced the development of democratic principles are also featured, including the Magna Carta, Jean Jacques Rousseau’s Social Contract; John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government; and Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Law.

This is the title page of John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government, printed in 1690.

Observations on the fledgling democracy and the Constitution, including Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America and essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay are included as well as an original copy of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibit is drawn from the Library’s Fine Books Collection.

For information on the many free programs and services available at the Dallas Public Library, visit www.dallaslibrary.org. The Dallas Public Library operates the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St., 25 branch locations, Bookmarks in NorthPark Center, and two Bookmobiles. A library card is free for any Dallas resident.

Source: City of Dallas