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

For abolfshing the free system OF English
laws in ncighbourng Province, establishing
therein an arbitrary governments, and enlarg-
ing It's boundaries, SO as TO render II at once,
an example and fit instrument, for introducing
the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our charters, abolishing our
most valuable law :, and altering fundamentally,
the forms of our governments
For supendipg our own legislatures, and
declaring themselves invested with power 10
iegislste for US in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicalcd government here, by de-
clariag Us out of his pro,ectien, and waging
war against as.
He has plundered Our seas, rayaged our
coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives
ofour people.
Heis, at this time transporting large armies
of foreign mercenaries to complete the works
of death, desols,ion and tyranny, already begun
with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy,
scarcely paraleled 10 the most barbarous ages,
and totally unworthy the head OF civilized
nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens, TAX.
en- captive on the high seas, 10 bear arms against
their country, to become the execu,ioners of
their friends and brethren, or TO fall themselves
by their hands.
He has excited domestic Instructions a.
mong US, and has cndeayored to bring on the
inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless In
dian savages, whose known rule of warfare is
an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sex.
es and conditions
IN every stage Of these expressions, we have
petiiicned for redress in the most hsmble
terms our repeated petitions, have been AN.
swered only by repeatedinjury. A Princc,whose
character is thus marked by every act which
may define a tyrant, is unfit 10 be the ruler OF
free people.
Nor nave We been wanting in attention to
our British Brethren. We have warned them
from time to time, of attempts by their L. gis-
lature TO extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction
over us. We have reminded them of the civ
cumstanccs of our emigration and settlemcn,
here. We have appealed 10 their native JUS
tice and msgoanmity, and We have conjured
them, by the ties, OF our corIim kindred 10
disavow these usurpalions which would iney-
itably interrupt our connexions and correspon-
dence. They too have been deaf 10 the voice
OF justice and of coDsanguinl'y We must,
therefore, acquicsce ip the necessity which
denounces our separation, and hold them as we
hold the rest Of mankind, enemies In war, in
peace, friends.
WE, therefore, the Representatives OF the
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN
GENERAL CONGRESS ASSEMBLED,
appealing TO the Supreme Judge of the world,
for the rectitude Of our intentions, do, IN the
name and by the authority ot the good people
ofthese Colonies solemnly publish and declare,
that these United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT
STATES, thatthet are absoved from all alle-
glance to tho British crown, and that all polit-
ical connection between them and the State OF
Great Britain is, and ought TO be, totally dis
solved and that, as FREE AND. .INDEPEN-
DENT STATES, they have full power tolevy
war, conclude peace, sontract alliances, estab-
lish commerce, and TO do all other Acts and
things which INDEPENDENT STATES,
may of right do. And for the support of this
declaration, with firm reliance on the protec-
tion of DIVINE PROVIDENCE VIC mu-
trally pledge to each other our LIVES, cur
FORTUNES, and our SACRED HONOR.
Signed by Order and in behalf Of the Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
.fttesS
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.