with her, nor wished it to be dissolved.

But our sentiments are altered. It is now the ardent wish of our souls that America may become a free and independent state."

The inhabitants of Boston, ever forward and zealous in the contest, concluded, in their instructions, a recapitulation of the existing causes of durable animosity, and of the hazards of restoring the past connexion, with saying, "We therefore think it almost impracticable for these colonies to be ever again subject to, or dependent upon, Great Britain, without endangering the very existence of the state. Placing, however, unbounded confidence in the supreme councils of the Congress, we are determined to wait, most patiently to wait, till their wisdom shall dictate the necessity of making a declaration of independence. Nor should we have ventured to express our sentiments upon the subject, but from the presumption that Congress would choose to feel themselves supported by the people of cach colony, before they adopt a resolution so interesting to the whole. The inhabitants of this town, therefore, unanimously instruct and direct you, that, at the approaching session of the General Assembly, you use your endeavours, that the delegates of this colony, in Congress, be advised, that, in case the Congress shall think it necessary, for the safety of the United Colonies, to declare them independent of Great Britain, the inhabitants of this colony, with

their lives and the remnant of their fortunes, will most chearfully support them in that measure *."

The people of the other parts of the same province, and in the other colonies generally, manifested the same spirit, and expressed the same schtiments. In South Carolina they were particularly ardent; and, in Virginia, the public sense was so decisive on the subject, that the Convention not only instructed their representatives to move the resolution in the grand council of the continent, but declared that colony an independent state, before the measure was sanctioned by Congress.

The public opinion having manifested itself in favour of independence, the great and decisive step was determined on; and the following resolution was moved by Richard Henry Lee, and seconded by John Adams: "Resolved, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; and that all political connexion be-tween them and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

This resolution was referred to a committee of the whole Congress, where it was daily debated. All the colonies, except Pennsylvania and Maryland, had expressed their approbation of the measure, and no doubt was entertained of its adoption: but it was thought prudent to suspend a decision

*Gazetto.

on

on it till the acquiescence of those colonies in the measure should render its adoption unanimous *. Great exertions were made in both, by the strong friends of this resolution, who availed themselves of the apprehension, that those who did not join in this last and greatest step, would be excluded from the union; and, at length, instructions were re'ceived from the conventions of those provinces also, directing their representatives to assent to it.

The resolution was now unanimously agreed to; and the declaration, which had been already prepared by a committee appointed for that purpose, was taken into consideration, and, after several amendments, received the sanction of the whole Congress.

This important paper commenced with stating, that "When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the

* While this vote was depending, resolutions were entered into by Congress, declaring that all persons residing within, or passing through, any one of the United Colonies, owed allegiance to the government thereof; and that any such person, who should levy war against any of the United Colonies, or adhere to the King of Great Britain, or other enemies of the said colonies, or any of them, should be guilty of treason; and it was recommended to the several legislatures to pass laws for their punishment.

earth,

earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature, and of Nature's God, entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to the separation *."

The causes are then stated, and a long enumera tion of the oppressions, complained of by America, is closed with saying, "A pince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.'

The fruitless appeals which had been made to the people of Great Britain, are also recounted; but they, too," concludes this declaration, “have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we would the rest 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 rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that

*Mr. Jefferson, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sher man, and Mr. R. R. Livingston, were appointed to prepare this declaration; and the draft reported by the committee has been generally attributed to Mr. Jefferson.

VOL. II.

I I

these

these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connexion between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent states may, of right, do. And, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour"

This

The names of the members, who subscribed the declaration of independence, were as follow, viz.