Declaration Found on Captured Privateer | Bangor News

A volunteer at Britain’s National Archives made a jaw-dropping discovery: an early copy of the Declaration of Independence, one of only eleven known to exist and the only one outside the U.S., found tucked in letters from an 18th-century Royal Navy captain. The document was seized from the American privateer ship Dalton—operating under John Hancock’s orders—and captured by the British on Christmas Eve 1776. It’s a powerful artifact, offering a visceral link to the moment a new nation was born, with the crew having risked everything for independence. The story also reveals the brutal fate of the captured sailors, including young Charles Hebert’s harrowing two-year imprisonment. This find isn’t just history—it’s a living echo of revolution, courage, and the enduring power of ideas. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d28df29413ba9b4d