The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-03

He has combined with others to subject US to a
Jurisdiction foreign to our constitutions. and
acknowledged by laws giving his assent TO
their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among
US;
For protecting them, by a mock trial. from puu-
ishment for any murders which they should CON-
NIT on the Inhabitants of these States
For cutting on our trade with all parts of the
world;
For imposing taxes without our consent;
For depriving US. in many cases, of the benefits
of trial by Jury;
For transporting US beyond seas 10 be tried for
pretended offences;
For abolishing the free system of English laws
in neighborinG province, establishing therein an
arbitrary government, and charging its boundaries
SO as to render it at once example and fit In
into these colonies;
For taking away charters, abolishing our
most valuable laws and altering, fundamentally the
forms of governments;
For Suspending legislatures and decIor-
ing themselves invested with power 10 eSislate for
us in all cases whatsoever
He has abdicated government here by decIarin. us
out OF his protection, and waging against US.
lie has pUndered seas, ravaged our coasts
burned our towns and destroyed the lives of our
people.
lie is at this time transporting large armies Of
foreign mercenares to complete the works of death,
desolation, and tyranny, already begun with cir
cunstances OF cruelty and perfdy scarcely paraeled
in the barba ages and totally unworthy
the head of civilized nation
He has constrained our fellow citizens taken cap
country, to become the execuoners of their friends
and brethren, to fall themselves by their hands
lie has excited domestic Instruction among US.
and has endeavored TO bring the inhabitants of
our frontiers the mercilcss Indian savages, whose
known rule of warfare undstinguished dcstruc-
ton OF all ages. sexes, and conditions.
In every stage of these expressions have petit
toned for redress in the humble terms;
repeated petitions have been answered only by re-
peated injury \ prince whose character is thus
marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is
unfit to be the ruler of a people.
Nor have been wanting attentions to
our British brethren. We have warned Them from
time to time, of attempts by their Legislature
tend understandable Jurisdiction We
have reminded them of the circumstances of
emigration and settlement here. We have appealed
10 their native justice and magnanmity; and
have conjured them, by the ties our common kim
dred to disavow these usurpatons, which would in
evtably interrupt connections and correspond
They, too, have been deaf the of
justice and consanguinty. We must, therefore,
ton and hold them, hold the 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
rcctude of intentions, do in the name and by
the authority of the good people of these '"t'%.
sOiemnly publish and declare, That these L.:ii>I
Colonies are. and of right ought be free and in
dependent states; that they absolved from all
allegiance the British crown, and that all political
connection between them and the of Great
Britain is, arr ought to be. totally dissolved: and
that free and independent states, they have full
power levy war, conclude peace contract al
lianccS establish commerce. and do all other
and things which independent states may of right
Go. And, for the support of this declaration, with
a firm reliance the protection of Divine Provi-
dencc, mutually pledge each other lives,
our fortunes and Our sacred honor.