Do You Mean to Say That Is Not Yet Finished?

No sir, I mean to say that I keep using the wrong word!

Thomas Jefferson made slip in Declaration

By LAUREN SAUSSER, Associated Press Writer Lauren Sausser, Associated Press Writer – Fri Jul 2, 4:16 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Preservation scientists at the Library of Congress have discovered that Thomas Jefferson, even in the act of declaring independence from England, had trouble breaking free from monarchial rule.
In an early draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson wrote the word "subjects," when he referred to the American public. He then erased that word and replaced it with "citizens," a term he used frequently throughout the final draft.
The Library released news of the struck word for the first time on Friday.
Fenalla France, a research chemist at the Library, said her lab made the discovery last year by using hyperspectral imaging, using a high resolution digital camera that compiles a series of images to highlight layers of a document. Some of those invisible layers — like erased text and even fingerprints — pop into view on a computer screen.
In switching from "subjects" to "citizens," France said it appears Jefferson used his hand to wipe the word out while the ink was still wet. A distinct brown smudge is apparent on the paper, although the word "subjects" is not legible without the help of the digital technology.
"This has been a very exciting development," France said, calling the findings "spine-tingling."
Historic, handwritten documents reveal clues about the past that word processors cannot illuminate, said James Billington, librarian of Congress.
"It shows the progress of his mind. This was a decisive moment," Billington said. "We recovered a magic moment that was otherwise lost to history."
Accompanied by police escort, the document was unveiled outside its protective case for the first time in 15 years on Friday morning for a demonstration of the hyperspectral imaging technology. It normally can only be viewed through a 130-poundb oxygen-free safe.
Donning a pair of white researchers' gloves, Maria Nugent, director of the Library of Congress' top treasures collection, slowly lifted a piece of off-white corrugated cardboard to reveal the rough draft of the Declaration, which includes handwritten corrections by both John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
"That's a pretty good editorial committee," said Billington, who was present for the procedure.
The rough draft was written on two sheets of white legal-sized paper, on both the back and front sides of the sheets.
The document was returned to the library's vault on Friday after the testing.
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Online: The text of Jefferson's rough draft can be viewed at http://www.myloc.gov/.

Declaration of Independence Rough Draft

Slideshow:Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence slip
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This is 1 of those little bits of history that make our Founding Fathers more human. It is not surprizing that Jefferson made a few typos. The next time I have to go back & correct a mistake on a post, I'll have to remember that I am in good company.

Note: Despite what 1776 shows, Martha Jefferson did not come up to Philidelphia during the time he wrote the initial draft of the Declaration. Yes, Jefferson wanted to get back home & see her. She was the light of his life. & he did miss her But it was because she had suffered a miscarriage & was very ill that his desire to leave all the more pressing.