The main purpose of declaration of Independence was to make it known to the British colonialists then, that the American people were ready to be self determined and govern themselves. This was contained in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson at a time of war when most American colonies had already established their own currency, army, post office, and administrative offices. Jefferson was appointed alongside other members that included Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. In the declaration, Jefferson maintained that a group of people, have a right to to seek to have their own government if that government is seen as no longer accepted by the people due to their oppressive nature and illegitimacy The declaration which had John Hancock, of Massachusetts as the first signatory among the 56 signers was presented to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 2, 1776.