On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states " Congress debated independence for several days. Four days later, a committee made up of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson was given the job of drafting a formal declaration of independence. The Committee of Five gave the task of writing the declaration to Jefferson.