CD-ROM Aktief 1995 #3/CDA3.iso/survival/docnta.zip/DOCNTA.DOC

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     DECLARATION OF THE CAUSES AND NECESSITY OF TAKING UP ARMS,
                            July 6, 1775

 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.  The legislature of Great Britain, however, stimulated
 by an inordinate passion for a power not only unjustifiable, but
 which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very
 constitution of that kingdom, and desparate of success in any mode
 of contest, where regard should be had to truth, law, or right,
 have at length, deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel
 and impolitic purpose of enslaving these colonies by violence, and
 have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last
 appeal from reason to arms.  Yet, however blinded that assembly may
 be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so to sight
 justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound by
 obligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make known the
 justice of our cause. Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of
 Great Britain, left their native land, to seek on these shores a
 residence for civil and religious freedom.  At the expense of their
 blood, at the hazard of their fortunes, without the least charge to
 the country from which they removed, by unceasing labour, and an
 unconquerable spirit, they effected settlements in the distant and
 unhospitable wilds of America, then filled with numerous and
 warlike barbarians.  -- Societies or governments, vested with
 perfect legislatures, were formed under charters from the crown,
 and an harmonious intercourse was established between the colonies
 and the kingdom from which they derived their origin.  The mutual
 benefits of this union became in a short time so extraordinary, as
 to excite astonishment. It is universally confessed, that the
 amazing increase of the wealth, strength, and navigation of the
 realm, arose from this source; and the minister, who so wisely and
 successfully directed the measures of Great Britain in the late
 war, publicly declared, that these colonies enabled her to triumph
 over her enemies.  -- Towards the conclusion of that war, it
 pleased our sovereign to make a change in his counsels.  -- From
 that fatal movement, the affairs of the British empire began to
 fall into confusion, and gradually sliding from the summit of
 glorious prosperity, to which they had been advanced by the virtues
 and abilities of one man, are at length distracted by the
 convulsions, that now shake it to its deepest foundations. -- The
 new ministry finding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently
 defeated, yet still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of
 granting them a hasty peace, and then subduing her faithful
 friends.

 These colonies were judged to be in such a state, as to present
 victories without bloodshed, and all the easy emoluments of
 statuteable plunder. -- The uninterrupted tenor of their peaceable
 and respectful behaviour from the beginning of colonization, their
 dutiful, zealous, and useful services during the war, though so
 recently and amply acknowledged in the most honourable manner by
 his majesty, by the late king, and by parliament, could not save
 them from the meditated innovations. -- Parliament was influenced
 to adopt the pernicious project, and assuming a new power over
 them, have in the course of eleven years, given such decisive
 specimens of the spirit and consequences attending this power, as
 to leave no doubt concerning the effects of acquiescence under it.
 They have undertaken to give and grant our money without our
 consent, though we have ever exercised an exclusive right to
 dispose of our own property; statutes have been passed for
 extending the jurisdiction of courts of admiralty and
 vice-admiralty beyond their ancient limits; for depriving us of the
 accustomed and inestimable privilege of trial by jury, in cases
 affecting both life and property; for suspending the legislature of
 one of the colonies; for interdicting all commerce to the capital
 of another; and for altering fundamentally the form of government
 established by charter, and secured by acts of its own legislature
 solemnly confirmed by the crown; for exempting the "murderers" of
 colonists from legal trial, and in effect, from punishment; for
 erecting in a neighbouring province, acquired by the joint arms of
 Great Britain and America, a despotism dangerous to our very
 existence; and for quartering soldiers upon the colonists in time
 of profound peace.  It has also been resolved in parliament, that
 colonists charged with committing certain offences, shall be
 transported to England to be tried.  But why should we enumerate
 our injuries in detail? By one statute it is declared, that
 parliament can "of right make laws to bind us in all cases
 whatsoever." What is to defend us against so enormous, so unlimited
 a power? Not a single man of those who assume it, is chosen by us;
 or is subject to our control or influence; but, on the contrary,
 they are all of them exempt from the operation of such laws, and an
 American revenue, if not diverted from the ostensible purposes for
 which it is raised, would actually lighten their own burdens in
 proportion, as they increase ours.  We saw the misery to which such
 despotism would reduce us.  We for ten years incessantly and
 ineffectually besieged the throne as supplicants; we reasoned, we
 remonstrated with parliament, in the most mild and decent language.

 Administration sensible that we should regard these oppressive
 measures as freemen ought to do, sent over fleets and armies to
 enforce them.  The indignation of the Americans was roused, it is
 true; but it was the indignation of a virtuous, loyal, and
 affectionate people.  A Congress of delegates from the United
 Colonies was assembled at Philadelphia, on the fifth day of last
 September.  We resolved again to offer an humble and dutiful
 petition to the King, and also addressed our fellow subjects of
 Great Britain.  We have pursued every temperate, every respectful
 measure; we have even proceeded to break off our commercial
 intercourse with our fellow subjects, as the last peaceable
 admonition, that our attachment to no nation upon earth should
 supplant our attachment to liberty. -- This, we flattered
 ourselves, was the ultimate step of the controversy: but subsequent
 events have shewn, how vain was this hope of finding moderation in
 our enemies.

 Several threatening expressions against the colonies were inserted
 in his majesty's speech; our petition, tho' we were told it was a
 decent one, and that his majesty had been pleased to receive it
 graciously, and to promise laying it before his parliament, was
 huddled into both houses among a bundle of American papers, and
 there neglected.  The lords and commons in their address, in the
 month of February, said, that "a rebellion at that time actually
 existed within the province of Massachusetts Bay; and that those
 concerned with it, had been countenanced and encouraged by unlawful
 combinations and engagements, entered into by his majest