burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries

and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions,

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved

— Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them

appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name,

— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People

and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither,

from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States;

the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them,

and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here,

to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People

which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth,