A newly discovered copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, printed in July 1776 in Exeter, has been displayed at The National Archives in London. This unveiling took place on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The image, captured from video, offers a glimpse of this historical document’s presence in the UK.
Twelve years ago, during a visit to the British National Archives, I had the chance to hold an original July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. This opportunity arose during a private tour included in my policy fellowship with the British House of Lords. While the docent offered me a piece of American history to hold, she did not mention that the UK holds four original copies of the Declaration. In fact, three of these copies were taken from the U.S. without consent.
The UK government retains four 1776 copies of the Declaration of Independence. Three are known as the Dunlap Broadsides Copies, and the fourth is called the Exeter Print. The Exeter Print came to wider attention last month. On December 24, 1776, the Royal Navy intercepted it within a bundle of letters and logs from the American privateer ship, Dalton.
The Dunlap Broadsides copy I held arrived in London via official British colonial networks, likely in August 1776. Upon its arrival, Lord Germain informed King George III about the document. Meanwhile, another copy was intercepted, and a third was seized through military action. To the British, the Declaration was seen as a long farewell letter. Yet these copies represent a missing piece of American history.
Two hundred fifty years after the American declaration of independence, which marked freedom and taxation with representation, there is a growing sentiment that these documents deserve to return to their place of origin. Despite the significance, the U.S. government has not publicly announced any legal or diplomatic efforts to reclaim these essential pieces of history.
Following America’s recent 250th celebration of independence, there is a call for U.S. leaders to arrange the return of these missing Declarations. The UK exhibits one Dunlap Broadsides copy in “The Path to American Independence” and plans to display the Exeter Print soon. One Dunlap Broadsides copy is on temporary loan to the Philadelphia Museum of the American Revolution, notable for being intercepted from Jonas Phillips, accompanied by a letter in Yiddish.
James Finney-Conlon, MPP, who is based in Los Angeles, is a public policy professional and writer.
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