The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-04
Declaration Of independence.
In CoSGREss, July 4, IRE.

cessary for people TO dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another, and 10 among
the powers Of the earth the separate and equal station 10
which the laws Of Nature and Of Natures God ente
Them decent respect 10 the opinions Of mankind requires
that they should declare the which mpel them 10
the separation.
We hold these truths to be seEevident that all men
created equal that they endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights that among these are
life liberty and the pursuit of happness that 10
these rights governments instituted among men, de-
irving their just powers from the consent of the governed
that whenever any form Of government becomes de-
sructye Of these ends IL is the right of the people to
alter to abolish il and to institute government
laying its foundation such principles, and organizing
its powers in such FORM to them shall likely
TO effect their safety and happiness, Prudence indeed win
dictate that governments long established should not be
changed for light and transient causes and accordingly
all experience hath shown that mankind dis
posed to suffer- while evils suierable than TO right
themselves by aboishing the forms TO which they ac
customed But when long train of abuses and usurpa
tons pursuing invariably the object evinces de-
sign TO reduce them under absolute desposm it is their
right ii their duty TO throw off such government and
provide guards for their future security Such has
been the patient suerance of these colonies and such is
the necessity which consains them 10 alter their
former systems of The history of the present
King of Great Britain is history of repealed injuries and
usupatons all having in direct object the establishment
of absolute tyranny 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
lie has forbidden his governors to pass laws of mme-
date and pressing Importance unless suspended IN their
operation till his assent should be obtained and when
suspended he has utterly neglected to attend TO them
lie has refused to other laws for the accommodation
Of large ,h Of people those i wqSd
right inestimabo to them, and formidable to tyrants
only.
lie has called together legislative bodies places
sua uncomfortable, and distant from the depository Of
their public records for the sole purpose OF gung them
into compliance with his measures
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for
opposing with manly rmnes his inyasions on the rights
of the people
He has refused long time after such dissolutions
others to be elected whereby the legislative powers
incapable of annhilaon have returned to the people ut
large for their exercisehe State remaining in the
time exposed to all the danger of invasion from without
and commissions within
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these
States for that purpose obstructng the laws for natural
zaon of foreigners refusing to pass others to encourage
their migration hither and raising the conditions
appropriations of lands. .... +, E....
lie has INSTRUCTED the administration of justice by
fsng his laws for establishing judiciary powers
lie has made judges dependent his viii alone for the
of their offices and the amount and payment of their
salaries.
lie has erected a multitude Of new Offices, and sent
hhe of officers, to harass people and eat out
their substance.
He has kept among MS in times of peace, standing
mics, without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent Of
| and superior to- the civil power.
lie has combined with Others to subject us TO juris
dicon foreign TO constitution, and unacknowledged
by our laws giving his assent to their acts OF pretended
legislation
For quarering large bodies Of armed troops among us
For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment
for any murders which they should commit on the nhab
ants of these States:
For cutting off our trade with all parts OF the world
For imposing taxes without our consent:
For deprivng us in many cases of the benefits of trial
by jury:
For transporting beyond seas to be tried for pre-
tended offences:
For abolshng the free system of English laws in
neghboring province establishing therein an arbitrary
government and enarging its boundaries to render
it at example and fit instrument for introducing
the same absolute rule into these colonies:
For taking away charters, aboshing most valu
able laws and altering, fundamentally the powers of
governments:
For suspending our own legislatures and declaring
themselves invested with power to legsiae for US in all
cases whatsoever
lie has abdicated government here by declaring US out
Of his protection, and waging war against US.
lie has plundered ayaged coasts burnt our
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people
lie is at this time transporting large armies Of foreign
mercenars to complete the work Of death dcsoaton and
tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and
perdy scarcely paraeed In the most barbarous ages and
totally unworthy the head Of civilized nation.
He has constrained our eowctizens taken captive on
the high seas TO bear against their country, 10 be-
the execuoners Of their friends and brethren
fall themselves by their hands
lie has excited domestic instructions amongst us and
has endeavored to bring the inhabitants of from
tiers the mercess Indian savages whose known rule Of
warfare is undistinguished destruction Of all ages sexes
and conditions.
In every stage Of these expressions we have petioned
for redress in the humble our repeated petit
tons have been answered only by repeated injury.
prince whose character Is thus marked by every net
which may define yrant is unfit TO be the ruler Of free
people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention 10 our British
brethren. We have warned them from time to time of
attempts made by their legislature to extend
rantable jurisdiction We have reminded them
Of the circumstances OF emigration and settlement
here We have appealed TO their native justice and mag
nanmity and have conure1 them by the ties Of our
common kindred 10 dsavow these usurpations, which
would inevitably interrupt connexions and CORES
pondence They too have been deaf 10 the voice Of
Justice and consanguiniy We must therefore acquiesco
in the necessity which denounces separation and hold
them we hold the rest OF mankindenemies in war; in
peace friends.
We therefore, the representatives OF the United States
Of America In General Congress assembled, appealing 10
tho Supreme Judge of the World for the recude Of
intentions do in the name and by the authority of the
good people of these colonies solemuy publish and de-
clare that these united colonies are and of right ought
be- free and independent States that they absoyed
from all allegiance TO the British Crown and that all POI
tcal connection between them and the State OF Great
Britain is and ought 20 be- totally dissolved and that
free and independent States they have full power 20 levy
war; conclude peace alliances establish commerce
and do all other acts and things which independent
States may of right do Aud for the support OF this dec
aration with firm reliance the protection OF Divine
Providence We mutually pledge each other our lives
our fortunes and our sacred honor.
JOHN HANCOCK
Netc Hampshire James Smith,
Josiah Bartlett George Taylor,
William Whippe James Wilson,
Matthew Thornton. George Ross
Massachuscns Bay. Deiawarc.