A rare surviving copy of the American Declaration of Independence has been discovered at the UK’s National Archives, marking the only known example of its kind held outside the United States.
The document was uncovered in February during a cataloguing project at the National Archives in Kew. Volunteers were reviewing the papers of Royal Navy captains who served during the American Revolutionary War when the historic document came to light.
Volunteer Michael Scurr discovered it while examining the collection. He said he immediately realized the document could be significant.
“I called over to my boss and said, ‘I think you need to come and have a look at this,'” Scurr told BBC News, recalling that he felt “butterflies” after unfolding the paper and recognizing what it was.
One of just 11 surviving copies
Researchers identified the document as one of just 11 surviving copies printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, in July 1776.
The editions were produced shortly after the Declaration was adopted to spread news of American independence throughout the colonies quickly. The newly discovered document is the only known surviving Exeter printing held outside the United States.
Printed for rapid distribution
According to historian Graham Moore of the National Archives, the original Declaration was first printed on July 4, 1776. As news of independence spread from colony to colony, printers produced local editions to circulate the text as quickly as possible.
A rare surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence has been discovered at the UK's National Archives, marking the only known Exeter printing outside the United States. pic.twitter.com/vOngZaV84B
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) July 3, 2026
Moore said the Exeter printing was never intended to be preserved. Most copies were heavily used and later discarded, making surviving examples exceptionally rare.
Captured during the Revolutionary War
The document reached Britain after the Royal Navy seized the American ship Dalton on Christmas Eve in 1776.
The British warship HMS Raisonable intercepted the vessel off the coast of Portugal after a seven-hour pursuit during the American Revolutionary War.
Papers seized by British forces
Researchers said the captured ship was taken to Britain, where its papers were confiscated. The collection included the privateer’s commission, printed instructions from the Continental Congress and the rare printed Declaration of Independence.
Moore said the Declaration was found folded among the correspondence of Royal Navy Capt. Thomas Fitzherbert. The documents were taken to Plymouth in January 1777 before being transferred to Whitehall, where government records were stored.
Hidden in the archives for centuries
The document’s importance went unnoticed at the time. Fitzherbert listed it simply as “another paper,” allowing it to remain hidden in Britain’s state archives for nearly 250 years.
Moore said it is the only known surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence captured during military action, making it unique among all surviving versions.
Document to go on public display
After conservation work, the Declaration will be displayed in the National Archives’ exhibition on the road to American independence, which opened last month.
Saul Nassé, chief executive of the National Archives, called the find an extraordinary discovery. He said the document is an exceptionally rare surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence and noted that it was found in Britain rather than the United States.
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