A declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America, now met in Congress at Philadelphia, setting forht 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 object 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 reverence for our great Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subjet, 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 slight 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 religion 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 distanct and inhospitable wilds of America, then filled with numerous and warlike nations of barbarians. —Societies or governments, vested with perfect legislatures, we formed under charters from teh crown, and an harmonious intercourse was estbalished 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 real, arose from this source; adn the minister, who so wisely and successfully directed the measures of Great-Britain in the late war, publicly declared, that these colonies enabled here to triumph over her enemies. —Towards the conclusion of that war, it pleased out sovereign to make a change in his counsels. —From that fatal moment, the affairs of the British empire began to fall inot 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 convulsion, 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 of then subduing her faithful friends.

These devoted colonies were judged to be in such a state, as to present victories without bloodshed, and all the easy emolumnets of satuteable plunder. —The uninterrupted tenor of their peaceable and respectful behavior from teh 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 spiri an dconsequences attending this power, as to leave no doubt concerning the effects of acquiescene under it. They have undertaken to give and grant out 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 latering 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 errecting 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 alos been resolved in parliament, that colonists charged with comitting certain offences, shall be transported to England to be tried.

But why should we enumerate our injuuries 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 controul or influence; by, on teh contray, 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 despostism 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 oppresive 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 of 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,w e flattered ourselves, was teh ultimate step of the controversy: but subsequent events have shewn, how vain was this hope of finding moderation in our eneies.

Several threatening expressions against hte 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, adn to promist laying it before his parliament, was huddled into both houses among a bundle of American papers, adn there neglected. the lords and commons in their address, in the month of Feburary, said, that “ a rebellion at that time actually existed with the province of Massachuusetts-Bay; and that those concerened in it, had been countenanced and encouraged by unlawful combinations and engagements, entereed into by his majesty’s subjects in several of the other colonies; and therefore they besought his majesty, that he would take the most effectual measures to inforce due obedience to the laws and authoritiey of the supreme legislature.” —Soon after, teh commercial intercourse of whole colonies, with foreign countries, adn with each other, was cut off by an act of parliament; by another several of them were intirely prohibited from the ifisheries in the seas near their coasts, on which they always depended for thei sustenance; and large reinforcements of ships and tropoers were immediately sent over to general Gage.