Declaration of Independence. United States . Declaration of Independence Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library | Table of Contents for this work | | All on-line databases | Etext Center Homepage | In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. A DECLARATION By 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.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People. For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us: Attest. Annotated Constitution Prototype TOC. The Bill of Rights (including the Preamble to the Bill of Rights) Constitution Society Home Page.