Jefferson summarized a philosophy to write the Declaration. Who's original philo

Question:

Jefferson summarized a philosophy to write the Declaration. Who's original philosophy was the inspiration?

Jefferson summarized this philosophy in "self-evident truths" & set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify the "breaking away from the motherland". However, the political philosophy of the Declaration of Independence wasn't new; its ideals had already been expressed by another individual.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: On July 8, 1850, Fillmore was presiding over the Senate when a message was handed to him. President Taylor, who had been stricken by a stomach disorder, was dying in the White House. It was approaching midnight on July 9 when there came the dreaded knocking at Fillmore's door at Willard's Hotel. A note from the cabinet told him "Zachary Taylor is no more."

"I have no language to express the emotions of my heart," Fillmore responded. "The shock is so sudden and unexpected, I am overwhelmed."

The following morning Fillmore wrote out his first official contact with Congress as president-to-be. "I have to perform the melancholy duty of announcing to you that it has pleased Almighty God to remove from this life Zachary Taylor. . . . I propose this day at twelve o'clock . . . in the presence of both Houses of Congress, to take the oath prescribed by the Constitution."