Who introduced the idea of the colony should declare themselves free and Independent states

Richard Lee of Virginia introduced the idea of the colony should declare themselves free and independent states.

He passed the famous Virginia Resolution which declared: "That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; that measures should be immediately taken for procuring the assistance of foreign powers, and a Confederation be formed to bind the colonies more closely together."