Final answer:
British soldiers went to Lexington and Concord primarily to confiscate weapons and ammunition stockpiled by the rebels, and potentially to arrest revolutionary leaders. The confrontational approach of the British led to the outbreak of violence. These revolutionary principles later inspired abolitionists like Benjamin Franklin.
Step-by-step explanation:
British soldiers traveled to Lexington and Concord in search of weapons and ammunition that had been stockpiled by the rebels. This event took place in April of 1775, with British military units receiving orders to confiscate such supplies. They intended to subdue the burgeoning American rebellion against British rule. Revolutionary leaders such as Samuel Adams and John Hancock were also targeted, but they were not physically at Lexington and Concord during this confrontation. The Declaration of Independence was written after this event, so the soldiers were not searching for its authors at that time. Furthermore, there is no historical evidence suggesting their mission included searching for food and livestock.