Fleetsandarmiesareraised,and,theaidofforeigntroopsengagedtoassistthesedestructivepurposes.TheKing\'srepresentativeinthiscolonyhathnotonlywithheldallpowersofgovernmentfromoperatingforoursafety,buthavingretiredonboardanarmedship,iscarryingonapiraticalandsavagewaragainstus,temptingourslavesbyeveryartificetoresorttohim,andtrainingandemployingthemagainsttheirmasters.
\"Inthisstateofextremedanger,wehavenoalternativeleft,butanabjectsubmissiontothewillofthoseoverbearingtyrants,oratotalseparationfromthecrownandGovernmentofGreatBritain,unitingandexertingthestrengthofallAmericafordefence,andformingallianceswithforeignpowersforcommerceandaidinwar.Wherefore,appealingtotheSearcherofallHeartsforsincerityofformerdeclarations,expressingourdesiretopreserveourconnectionwiththatnation,andthatwearedrivenfromthatinclinationbytheirwickedcouncils,andtheeternallawsofself-preservation;resolvedunanimously,thatthedelegatesappointedtorepresentthiscolonyingeneralCongress,beinstructedtoproposetothatrespectablebody,todeclaretheunitedcoloniesfreeandindependentStates,absolvedfromallallegianceto,ordependenceupontheCrownorParliamentofGreatBritain;andthattheygivetheassentofthiscolonytothatdeclaration,andtowhatevermeasuresmaybethoughtproperandnecessarybytheCongress,forformingforeignalliances,andaconfederationofthecolonies,atsuchtimeandinsuchmannerastothemmayseembest.
Provided,thatthepowerofforminggovernmentfor,andtheregulationsoftheinternalconcernsofeachcolony,belefttotherespectivecoloniallegislatures.
\"Resolved,Unanimously,thatacommitteebeappointedtoprepareadeclarationofrights,andsuchaplan,ofgovernment,aswillbemostlikelytomaintainpeaceandorderinthiscolony,andsecuresubstantialandequallibertytothepeople.
Andacommitteewasappointedofthefollowinggentleman: