The Weekly Register, 3 July 1803
"Declaration of Independence," Weekly Register 4, no. 18 (3 July 1803), 281-284.[1]
Article text, 3 July 1813
=Page 281
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
The time fitting the purpose, we embrace this occasion to present our readers with the Declaration of Independence, placing by its side the original draft of Mr. Jefferson, about which much curiosity aid speculation has existed. The paper from which we have our copy, was found among the literary reliques of the late venerable George Wythe, of Virginia, in the hand writing of Mr. J. and delivered to the editor of the Richmond Enquirer by the executor of Mr. Wythe’s estate, major Duval. The passages stricken out of the original, by the committee, are inserted in italics.
As prefatory to these instruments we have been particularly requested to record the following letter of Mr. Adams:
PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 1776.
"Yesterday the greatest question was decided which Was ever debated in America; and greater, perhaps never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed with ' out one dissenting colony, "THAT THESE UNITED STATES ARE, AND OF RIGHT OUGHT TO BE, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES."
"The day is passed—The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great Anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated as the DAY OF DELIVERANCE, by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations—FROM ONE END OF THE CONTINENT TO THE OTHER, from this time forward forever! You will think me transported with enthusiasm; but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure that it will cost to maintain this declaration and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory—I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not. I am,&c.
"JOHN ADAMS."
'A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, July 4, 1776.'
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their
'A Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress assembled.'
When, in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, begun at a distinguished period, and pursuing invariably the same object evinces a desig [sic]
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References
- ↑ "Declaration of Independence," Weekly Register 4, no. 18 (3 July 1803), 281-284.
