Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-04
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, l776.

them with another, and to assume, among the
powers o. the earth, the separate and equal
station to which the laws of nature and OF
natures God entitle them, decentrespcct to
the opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them
| to the separation.
/ We hold these truths to be self-evident:-
that all men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain una
lenabe rights; that among these are life, lib
erty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to
secure these rights, governments are institute
ed among men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed; that when
ever any form of government becomes de-
structive of these ends, it is the right OF the
people to alter or abolish it; and to institute
a new government, laying its Foundation on
such principles, and organizing itsPowers In
such form, as to them shall seem most likely
to effect their safety and happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that govern
ments long established should not be changed
for light and transient causes; and according
| ly all experience hath shewn, that mankl' d
are more disposed TO suffer while evils are
siderable, than to right themselves by abol-
ishing the forms to which they are accuStom-
| ed.
But when long train Of abuses and usnr-
pations, pursuing invariably, the same object,
evinces design to reduce them under abso-
lutte despotism, it is their right, IT is their
duty, to throw off such government, and to
provide new guards for their future security.
Such has been the patient sutferance OF
these colonies; and such is now the necessity
which constrains them to alter their former
systems of government The history Of the
present king of Great Britain, is history of
repeated injustice and usurpations, all having
in direct object the establishment Of an abso-
lutte tyranny over these Staes. 10 prove
this, let facts be submitted to candid world.
He as refused his assent to laws the most
wholesome aud necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws
of immediate and pressing importance, unless
suspe nded in their operation, till his assent
should be obtained; and when so suspended,
he has utterly neglected to attend to them
He has refused +. -,-~--.--a.--''',' TOT the
accommodation of large districts oil people,
unless those people would rellnquish the right
of representation, in the legislature-a right
| inestimable to them, and formidable to ty.
rants only.
lie has called together legislative bodies at
places unusual, uncomfortable. and distant
from the repository of their public records,
for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into
compliance with his measures He has dis
solved representative houses repeatedly, for
opposing with manly firmness, his invasions
on the rights of the people.
He has refused, fora long time after such
dissolutions TO cause others to be elected;
| whereby the legislative powers, incapable OF
humiliation, have returned to the people at
large, for their exercise, the State remaining
! in the mean time, exposed to all the dangers
| of invasion from without, and commissions
within.
lie has endeavored to prevent the popula-
| ton of these States, for that purpose obstruct
ing the laws for naturalization of foreigners;
refusing to pass others to encourage their mi
grafton hither, and raising the conditions of
new appropriations of lands. He has OBJ
structed the administration of justice, by re-
fusing his assent to laws for establishing Judi
ciary powers
He has made judges dependent on his will
alone, for the tenure of their Offices, and the
amount and payment of their salaries. He
has erected a multitude of new offices, and
sent hither swarms of officers, to harass our
people, and eat out their substance. He has
kept among us, in times of peace, standing
armies, without the consent of our legisla-
la,ures He has affected to render the mill
itary independent Of and superior to the civil
power.
He has combined with others to subject US
to jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, &
unacknowledged by our laws; giving his as
sent 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 murder, which
they should commit on the inhabitants Of
these States: For cutting off our trade with
all parts of the world: For imposing taxes
on us without our consent:
For deprivng us, in many cases of the ben
efts of trial by jury: For transporting us
beyond seas to be tried for pretended often
ces. For aholiShing fbe free system of Emo.