Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-04

He has combined with others 10 subject US 10 juris
diclion foreign TO our Constitution, and unacknow
lodged by our laws giving his assent TO their acts Of
pretended legisation
For quarlering large bodies of armed troops among
For protecting them by mock trial, from punish
ment for any murders 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 benefit OF
trial by jury
For Transporting beyond seas, to be tried for pre-
tended offences
For nbolishiug The free system Of English laws in
neghborng province; establishing therein an arbitrary
government, and enarging its boundaries, 80 as 10
render it at once example and fl, instrument Tor IN
Producing the same absolute ruin into these colonies
For taking away our charters, abolishng our most
valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms OF
our Governments
For suspending own Legislatures, and declaring
themselves invested with power to legsate Tor us IN
all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government
here by declaring out of his protection, and wagng
war against u.s.
he has plundered seas, ravaged coasts, burnt
our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people
lie Is at this time transporting large armies OF 10
reign mercenaries 10 complete the works of DEATH de-
ISOLATION, and tyranny, already begun, with crcnm-
stances of cruelty and perdy scarcely paraieled ~
the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the
head of civilized nation
lie has constrained fellow. citizens taken captive
on the high seas, TO bear against their country to
become The executoners Of their friends and brethren,
10 fall themselves by their hands,
He has excited domestic Instructions against US,
and has endeavored TO bring the inhabitants OF our
frontiers, the mercless Indian savsses whose known
rule of warfare is undstingushed destruction OF all
ages, sexes and conditions:
Ia every stage OF these expressions, we have petit
toned for redress in the most humble terms: our re-
peated petitions have been answered only by repeated
injury.
prince, whose character is thus marked by every
act which may define yrant, unfit to be The ruler OF
free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our Bri-
tish brethren. We have warned them from time 10
time of attempts by their Legislature, to extend an
unwarrantabe Jurisdiction We have remind
ed them Of the circumstances of our emigration and
settlement here. We have appealed to their native
justice and magnanmlty; and we have connred them by
the lies OF our common kindred, TO dsavow these
pations which would inc vilably interrupt
ions and correspondence. They, too, have been deal
to the voice justice and Of consequently. We must,
therefore, acIuesce in the necessity winch cenounces
our separaiion and hold them We hold the rest Of
ina knd-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
fccituGe OF our intentions, oo VI te name ano ny the
authority Of the good people Of these Colonies, So
emny publish and declare, that these Colonies are and
Of right ought TO be, Free and Independent States J;
that they absoved from all allegiance 10 The British
Crown, and that all political conne1on between them
and the State OF Great Britain, s and ought to be,
totally dissolved; and that, free and independent
States they have full power levy war, conclude peace,
alliances establish and 10 do all other
and things which dependent States may Of right
do And, for the support of this Declaration, with firm
reliance the protection of Divine Providence, we
mutually pledge to each other our lives, cur fortunes
and our sacred honor. JOHN HANCOCK,
President.