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wrote this text to justify the British colonies' move toward independence.
declaration of independece
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A Declaration of the United Colonies
When a people, long bound to a distant authority, find their rights repeatedly disregarded and their attempts at redress met with compulsion rather than remedy, they are entitled — by the laws of nature and the dictates of justice — to assert their separate and equal station among the nations of the earth. We, the representatives of the united colonies, in solemn assembly, set forth the causes which impel us to this course.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal in moral worth, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right — and the duty — of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on principles and organizing its powers in such a manner as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Prudence, indeed, dictates that long-established ties should not be severed for light causes; and accordingly we have for a long time borne the evils we could not redress. But repeated injuries and usurpations, pursued invariably by the same sovereign, demonstrate a design to reduce us under absolute despotism. To prove this, we present the facts.
He has imposed taxes on us without our consent; has maintained standing armies among us in times of peace, without the consent of our legislatures; has dissolved representative assemblies, obstructed the administration of justice, and withheld the benefits of impartial law. He has obstructed the enactment of necessary laws, refused assent to measures of public utility, and altered our charters to suit his will. He has cut off our trade with other nations, imposed burdensome regulations for commercial gain, and subjected our people to foreign tribunals. He has incited ministers of the crown to sow discord among our inhabitants, and has marshaled forces to suppress our lawful attempts at self-government.
In every stage of these oppressions we have sought redress by humble petitions and remonstrances; our repeated appeals have been answered only by renewed injury. We must, therefore, regard the authority which subjects us to such wrongs as no longer entitled to our obedience.
We, therefore, the representatives of the united colonies, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do solemnly declare that these colonies are, and of right ought 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. As free and independent states, they have full power to levy war and to conclude peace; to contract alliances and form trade; to establish commerce and other relations with nations; to provide for their safety and prosperity by all the acts and institutions which sovereign states may rightfully employ.
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to one another our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
When a people, long bound to a distant authority, find their rights repeatedly disregarded and their attempts at redress met with compulsion rather than remedy, they are entitled — by the laws of nature and the dictates of justice — to assert their separate and equal station among the nations of the earth. We, the representatives of the united colonies, in solemn assembly, set forth the causes which impel us to this course.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal in moral worth, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right — and the duty — of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on principles and organizing its powers in such a manner as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Prudence, indeed, dictates that long-established ties should not be severed for light causes; and accordingly we have for a long time borne the evils we could not redress. But repeated injuries and usurpations, pursued invariably by the same sovereign, demonstrate a design to reduce us under absolute despotism. To prove this, we present the facts.
He has imposed taxes on us without our consent; has maintained standing armies among us in times of peace, without the consent of our legislatures; has dissolved representative assemblies, obstructed the administration of justice, and withheld the benefits of impartial law. He has obstructed the enactment of necessary laws, refused assent to measures of public utility, and altered our charters to suit his will. He has cut off our trade with other nations, imposed burdensome regulations for commercial gain, and subjected our people to foreign tribunals. He has incited ministers of the crown to sow discord among our inhabitants, and has marshaled forces to suppress our lawful attempts at self-government.
In every stage of these oppressions we have sought redress by humble petitions and remonstrances; our repeated appeals have been answered only by renewed injury. We must, therefore, regard the authority which subjects us to such wrongs as no longer entitled to our obedience.
We, therefore, the representatives of the united colonies, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do solemnly declare that these colonies are, and of right ought 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. As free and independent states, they have full power to levy war and to conclude peace; to contract alliances and form trade; to establish commerce and other relations with nations; to provide for their safety and prosperity by all the acts and institutions which sovereign states may rightfully employ.
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to one another our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
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