As Hessians arrive off the coast of Staten Island (7/4/76), John Adams finally convinces Congress that independence is the only answer to the colonies’ problems. They ask Thomas Jefferson to write the first draft of a “Declaration of Independence.” Shortly after the Declaration is signed on July 4th, a massive British fleet enters New York harbor. Ben Franklin realizes that "we must hang together or we will surely hang separately.” James learns about the tremendous power of words.