A declaration by the representatives of the united colonies
of North America, now met in Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the
causes and necessity of their taking up arms.
If it was possible for men, who exercise their reason to believe, that
the divine Author of our existence intended a part of the human race to
hold an absolute property in, and an unbounded power over others, marked
out by his infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination
never rightfully resistible, however severe and oppressive, the inhabitants
of these colonies might at least require from the parliament of Great-Britain
some evidence, that this dreadful authority over them, has been granted
to that body. But a reverance for our Creator, principles of humanity,
and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon
the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind,
and ought to be administered for the attainment of that end.
Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are
great, and, if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable.
-- We gratefully acknowledge, as signal instances of the Divine favour
towards us, that his Providence would not permit us to be called into this
severe controversy, until we were grown up to our present strength, had
been previously exercised in warlike operation, and possessed of the means
of defending ourselves. With hearts fortified with these animating reflections,
we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the
utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously
bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume,
we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverence,
employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved
to die freemen rather than to live slaves.
With an humble confidence in the mercies of the supreme and impartial
Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we most devoutly implore his divine goodness
to protect us happily through this great conflict, to dispose our adversaries
to reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the empire
from the calamities of civil war.
