effected at the expense have conjured them by_ the
of our own blood and treasure, ties of our common kindred
unassisted by the wealth or to disavow these usurpations
the strength of Great Britain; which _would inevitably_
that in constituting indeed interrupt our connexion and
our several forms of government, correspondence. They too have
we had adopted one been deaf to the voice of
common king; thereby laying justice and of consanguinity.
a foundation for perpetual _We must therefore_ acquiesce
league and amity with them; in the necessity which denounces
but that submission to their our separation, _and hold them_
parliament was no part of our as we hold the rest of mankind,
constitution, nor ever in idea enemies in war, in peace
if history may be credited; friends.
and_ we appealed to their
native justice and magnanimity,
_as well as to_ the ties of our
common kindred, to disavow
these usurpations which _were
likely to_ interrupt our
connexion and correspondence.
They too have been deaf to
the voice of justice and of
consanguinity, _and when
occasions have been given them
by the regular course of their
laws, of removing from their
councils the disturbers of our
harmony, they have by their
free election re-established
them in power. At this very
time too, they are permitting
their chief magistrate to send
over not only soldiers of our
common blood, but Scotch and
foreign mercenaries to invade
and destroy us. These facts
have given the last stab to
agonizing affection, and
manly spirit bids us to renounce
for ever these unfeeling
brethren. We must endeavour
to forget our former
love for them, and hold them
as we hold the rest of mankind,
enemies in war, in
peace friends. We might have
been a free and a great people
together; but a communication
of grandeur and of
freedom, it seems, is below
their dignity. Be it so, since
they will have it. The road
to happiness and to glory is
open to us too. We will tread
it apart from them, and_
acquiesce in the necessity
which denounces our _eternal_
separation.

We, therefore, the We, therefore, the
representatives of the United representatives of the United
States of America in general States of America in general
congress assembled, do, in the congress assembled, _a