American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-07-03

For taking away Oar charters, ,s.ui,si,,,, M.
most valuable laws, and altering iun,su. u,tu
the forms of our governments:
For suspcnding cur own legislatures, and 4,
claring themselves invested with power, TO es;
late for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, BY tccl,-;-.
us out of his protection, and wasing war anan,t
us.
lie has plundered our seas, ravaged our co,s,,
burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives Of M.
people.
He is, at this time, transporting large armis, -
foreign mercenaries to complete the WORKS y.
death, desolaton, and tyranny, already beam
with circumstances of cruelty and perfdy, scarrs
ly paralleled in the most barharous ages, and IA
tally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens, take,
captive The high seas, to bear arms against thp
country, to become the executioners of their frend
and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hand,
lie has excited domestic Instructions amonpv
U.S. and has endeavore,l to bring on the inhabitao.
of our frontiers. the mcrcess Indian savaees vhosa
known rule OF warfare is an undistinguished do
structon Of all ages, sexes, and conditions
In every stage OF these expressions, we have no.
ttioned for redress, in the most humble terms m,
petitions have been answered only by repeated in.
Jury. y prince whose character is thus marked
by every act which may define a tyrant is unft
to be the ruler OF free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention 10 on,
British brethren. We have warned them, fom
time to time OF attempts made by their LEGISLATURE
to extend an unwarranta5le jurisdiction over US.
We have reminded them of the circumstances NJ
our emigration and settlement here. We have an.
peaed TO their native justice anu magnanimity,
and we have conjure,l them BY the ties of our com
mon kindred. to dsavow these usurpatons, which
would inevitably interrupt our connexions and
correspondence. They, too. have been deaf to
the voice Of justice and consanguinity. We must,
therefore. acquiesce in the necessity, which de.
nonnces our separation, and hold them, as we hold
the rest Of mankind-ESEMIEs IN WAFFLE
PEACE, FRIENDS.
WE, therefore, the representatives of the UN,.
TED STATES OF AMERICA, in general congress,
assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge Of the
world, for the Tccttuhc of our intentions, DO. in
the name and by the authority of the good people
of these colonies, solemniy publish and declare,
that these united colonies are, and of right ought
to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that
they are absoved from all allegiance to the British
crown, aud that all political connection between
them and the state Of Great Britain. is and ought
to be totally dissolved and that as free and n,ic-
pendent states, they have full power To levy war,
conclude peace, contract alliances, establish com
merce, and to do all other acts and things which
independent states may Of right do. And for the
support OF this declaration, with finn reliance on
the protection Of Divine Providence, we mutually
pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and
our sacred honur.
Signed BY order and in behalf Of the congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
Attest CHARLES TnoMrsoN. src'y.