The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-07-06
Of independence.
IN CONGRESS-


Becomes necessary, for one people to dissolve
ebc political bands which have connected them
with another, and to assume, among the pow
crs OF the earth, the separate and equal station,
20 which the laws of nature and of natures God
entitIe them, decent respect to the opinions
mankind requires that they should declare
(-1causes. L. which impel them TO the separa-
{iQ0! 49,
4 We,hold these truths TO be self-eyident, that
All uGn.are created equal that they are en-
dowed by their Creator, with Certain unalien.
able rights that among these are life, liberty,
and tho pursuit of happiness that to securs
these rights, governments are instituted a.
mong men, deriving their just powers frem the
&conssnt OF the governed; that, whenever any
form OF government becomes destructive Of
hcse ends, 1t is the right OF the people TO alter
br to abolish II, and TO institute ney govern
(snent, laying its foundation on such principles,
and organizing its powers In such form, as to
Them shall seem most likely to effect their
Esafcty and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will
dictate that governments long established,
should not DO changed for light aud transient
causes; and accordingly all experience hath
shcwn, that mankind are more disposed 10 suf-
FER, while evils are suierablc, than to right
: themselves by abolishing the forms to which
tucy are dCCuStOinCu. DWl Wuen long tram
OF abuses and usurpations, pursuing Invariably
the same object evlnces design to reduce
Them under absolate despo,ism, II is their du-
ty, to throw of such government, and to pro.
vide new guards for their future security.
Such has been tho patient suiferancc OF these
Colonies: and such is now the necessity, which
constrains them TO alter their former systems
of government. The bstory Of the present
&c Pr,fo late ,f -
injuries aud usurpalions, all having in direct
object, tho establishment of al absolute tyran-
ny over these States. To prove this. let facts
be submitted TO a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws, the most
wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors 10 pass laws
Of immediate and pressing importance, unless
suspended in their operation till his assent
should be obtained /; and when SO suspended,
he has utterly neglected TO attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the ac-
commodation of large districts of people, ur-
less thoss people, would relinquish the right
Of repre- ,catation in the Legislature, a right
inestimable 10 them, and formid able 10 ty-
rants only.
He has called together Legislative bodiest, q
places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant
from the depository Of their public records, for
the sole purpose of fatguing than into cotn-
pliancc with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses re-
peatsdy, for opposing with manly frmncss,
his invasions on the rights OF the people.
He has refused for long time, after such
dissolutions, to cause others 10 be elected;
whereby the legislative powcrs, incapable Of
annhilation, have returned " the people at
large for their exsrcise the State remaining
In the mean time OK sed TO ell the dangers
OF invasion from without, aud commissions
within.
He has eudeavoured to prevent the popula.
tlcn Of these States; for that purpose obstruct
ING the laws for the naturalization of foreign
crs refused TO pass Others 10 encourage their
migrations hither, and raising Tho conditions
of new appropriations OF lands.
He has obstructcd the administration Of Jus.
ticc by refusing his assent TO laws for cstab-
fishing Judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will
nlono FOR the tenure Of their offices, and the q.
mount and payment Of their salaries.
He has erected multitude Of new Offices
and sent hitheI swarrns OF officers to harass
our people, and ca, out their substance.
He has kept among US, ia time Of peace,
standing armies, without the consent CT our
Legislature.
He has affected TO render the military indc.
pendent Of aud supcriour TO the Siyi. powoe.
He has combined with o;aers to sublaet us
to a jurisdiction forcigo 20 our cons pa,,oo,
aud uuacknowedged by our laws giving his
assent to their acts Of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies OF armed troops
among us:
For protecting them, by mock trial, from
punishment for any murders whichfhey should
commit on the Inhabitants of these States.
For cutting off our trade with al! parts of the
world
For imposing taxes on us without our con-
sent.