er.]

23. "In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for
redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been
answered only by repeated injuries.

24. "A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which
may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a people [who
mean to be free. Future ages will scarcely believe that the
hardiness of one man adventured, within the short compass of
twelve years only, to lay a foundation so broad and so undisguised
for tyranny over a people fostered and fixed in principles of
freedom.]

25. "Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British
brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts, by
their legislature, to extend [a] jurisdiction over [these, our
States.] We have reminded them of the circumstances of our
emigration and settlement here, [no one of which would warrant so
strange a pretention. These were effected at the expense of our
own blood and treasure, unassisted by the wealth or strength of
Great Britain; that in constituting, indeed, our several forms of
government, we had adopted one common king, thereby laying a
foundation for perpetual league and amity with them; but that
submission to their Parliament was no part of our constitution,
nor ever in idea, if history may be credited; 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 connection and correspondence. They, too,
have been deaf to the voice of justice and 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, reestablished 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 renounce forever these unfeeling brethren. We must
endeavor 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
communion of grandeur and of freedom, it seems, is below their
dignity. Be it so, since they wil