Volume Vi Part 29 (2/2)

We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind--enemies in war; in peace, friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America in general Congress a.s.sembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rect.i.tude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that 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 connection 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 Stales 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 honor.

The foregoing declaration was, by order of Congress, engrossed, and signed by the following members:

JOHN HANc.o.c.k.

NEW HAMPs.h.i.+RE.

Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton.

Ma.s.sACHUSETTS BAY.

Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry.

RHODE ISLAND.

Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery.

CONNECTICUT.

Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott.

NEW YORK.

William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris.

NEW JERSEY.

Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross.

DELAWARE.

Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M'Kean.

MARYLAND.

Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.

VIRGINIA.

George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jun., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton.

NORTH CAROLINA.

William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn.

SOUTH CAROLINA. Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jun., Thomas Lynch, Jun., Arthur Middleton.

GEORGIA.

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