Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-07-03
DECLARATIONS
OF
IN D f P E N D E N c E.

4 WHEN, in the course Of human events,
It becomes necessary for one peorIc 10
i dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another, and to as.
sumo among the powels of the earth, the
separate and equal station To which, the
laws OF nature and of natures Cod en,i-
lie Them, decent rcspect 10 the opini-
ons OF mankind requires that they should
declare the causes which impel them to
the separation.
4 We hold these truths to be self evident
j that. all men are created equal; that
4 they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights; that among
these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit o
happiness. That. 10 secure these rights
I governments are Instituted among men
deriving their just powers from the con.
sent of the governed that whenever any
form of government becomes destructive
OF these ends, il is the right Of the peo.
pie 10 alter or abolish it, and TO institute
new government, laying its Foundation
on such principles, and organizing i,s pow
ers in such form, as to them shall seem
most likely TO effeoi their safety and hap
piness. Prudence, indeed, will dieta,e,-
that governments long established should
not be changed for light and transient
causes; and accordingly all experience
hath shewn, that mankind are more dis
posed TO suffer, while evils are suffcrabIe,
than 10 right Themselves by abolishine
| the forms 10 Which they are accustomed.
But when long train or abuses and usur-
patrons, pursuing invariably the same OBJ
Jeet, eyiuces a design to reduce them un.
der absolute despotism, il is their right,
Iltistieir duty, TO throw Off such governs
ineut, and 10 provide new guards Tor their
intnrc security. Such has been the patti.
emf su.ierancS. ofthes- colonies and snch
IS now the necessity which constvaips
them 10 alter their former systems OF go.
lyernment. The history of the presru,
KING OF Great Britain is history of re.
4 peated injuries and usurpations, all hay.
ing in direct obje6 the establishment OF
an absolute tyranny over these states
/ To prove his, let facts be submitted to .
4 candid world.
/ lie has refused his assent 10 laws the
, most wholesome and necessary for the
public good.
lie has forbidden his governors 10 pas.
laws OF immediate and pressing irlpor.
lance, unless suspendedin their operation
till his assent should be obtained; and
when so suspended, be has utterly neg
4 ieeted to attend to them.
He has refused TO pass other laws, for
the accommodation of large Districts oil
people, unless those people would relin.
quish the right of representation in the
Legislatures right inestimable TO them,
! and9ormIdabIet tyrants only.
He bias called e,herIegislative bodies,
at places unusual, uncomfortable, and dis
tant from the depository ofjheir public re-
cords. for the sole purpose of faiiguinr
them into compliance with his measures.
! lie hes dissolved Representative houses
repeatedly, for opposing, with manly
hrmness, his invasions on the right of the
! People.
i he has refused for long time after
such dissoluliops, TO cause others 70 he e.
leeted; whereby the legislative mowers.
Iincapableof annihilntion, have returne d 70
the people OF large, for their exe,c;se
the State remaining IN the mean time
exposed TO all the danger of invasion from
without, and commissions within.
lie has endeayored 10 prevent the DO
pulation OF these States for that purpos
oostruc'ing the laws for NATURALIZATION O
foreigners; refusing to pass others, TO en-
courage their migration haber, and rails
ing the conditions of new appropriation
Of lands.
i He has obstructed the administration
!. OF Justice, by refusing his assent to laws
Tor establishing Judicisry Powers.
ID lie has made Judges dependent on hi
will alone, foI the tenure of their Offices
81 and the amount andpaymeBt of their sa
n laries.
,el lie has efeeled multitude OF new of
a. fees and sent hitler swarms OF officers
TO harrass our people, and eat out theii
o. substance.
er lie has KEEP among Us, in times O
peace, standing armies without the con
Il sent of our Legislatures.
He has affected TO render the miliiar,
independent Of, and superior 10 The civi
e. power
lie has combined with others, 20 sub
jea US to a jurisdiction, foreign To GU
rs Constitution, and unacknowlsdeedt BY OF