On July 2, 1776, a Finnish American man held the destiny of the United States in his hands.

The scene was the hall in Philadelphia that hosted the Second Continental Congress of the 13 American Colonies of British America. The man of destiny was John Morton, speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly and the swing vote in his state delegation that could create the United States of America.

If Morton voted “no,” the influential Colony would be recorded as opposed to independence. This could deal a fatal blow to the infant nation by delaying or dashing hopes for a vote for independence from Great Britain that was unopposed by any of the Colonies. If he said “yes,” the Pennsylvania delegation would flip to a 3-to-2 pro-independence majority, creating unstoppable national momentum for a break with King George III’s government.

But it would place Morton and his fellow delegates at risk of condemnation by many constituents who were pro-crown loyalists or independence skeptics, and in real danger of being executed if captured by British forces. The maximum penalty for treason against the king at that time was to be hung by the neck until the edge of death, then disemboweled and torn into four pieces — while still alive.

Morton made his........

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