THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
First Draft
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the equal and independent 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 change
We hold these truths to be [sacred and undeniable] selfevident, that all men are created equal and independent; that from that equal creation they derive in rights inherent and inalienables, among which are the preservation of life, and liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these ends, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government shall become 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 it's 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 design to [subject] reduce them to arbitrary power, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --
Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to expunge their former systems of government. the history of his present majesty is a history of unremitting injuries and usurpations, among which no fact stands single or solitary to contradict the uniform tenor of the rest, all of which have in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. to prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world, for the truth of which we pledge a faith yet unsullied by falsehood.
Second Draft
In Congress, July 4, 1776,
THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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 the m 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 shown, 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 Des potism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands .
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into t hese Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the Lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the H ead of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
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 injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
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 an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and sett lement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf t o the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Bri tain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. An d for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
JOHN HANCOCK, President
Attested, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary
New Hampshire: JOSIAH BARTLETT, WILLIAM WHIPPLE, MATTHEW THORNTON
Massachusetts-Bay: SAMUEL ADAMS, JOHN ADAMS, ROBERT TREAT PAINE, ELBRIDGE GERRY
Rhode Island: STEPHEN HOPKINS, WILLIAM ELLERY
Connecticut: ROGER SHERMAN, SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, OLIVER WOLCOTT
Georgia: BUTTON GWINNETT, LYMAN HALL, GEO. WALTON
Maryland: SAMUEL CHASE, WILLIAM PACA, THOMAS STONE, CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON
Virginia: GEORGE WYTHE, RICHARD HENRY LEE, THOMAS JEFFERSON, BENJAMIN HARRISON, THOMAS NELSON, JR., FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, CARTER BRAXTON.
New York: WILLIAM FLOYD, PHILIP LIVINGSTON, FRANCIS LEWIS, LEWIS MORRIS
Pennsylvania: ROBERT MORRIS, BENJAMIN RUSH, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, JOHN MORTON, GEORGE CLYMER, JAMES SMITH, GEORGE TAYLOR, JAMES WILSON, GEORGE ROSS
Delaware: CAESAR RODNEY, GEORGE READ, THOMAS M'KEAN
North Carolina: WILLIAM HOOPER, JOSEPH HEWES, JOHN PENN
South Carolina: EDWARD RUTLEDGE, THOMAS HEYWARD, JR., THOMAS LYNCH, JR., ARTHUR MIDDLETON
New Jersey: RICHARD STOCKTON, JOHN WITHERSPOON, FRANCIS HOPKINS, JOHN HART, ABRAHAM CLARK
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris， Benjamin Rush， Benjamin Franklin， John Morton， George Clymer， James Smith， George Taylor， James Wilson， George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney， George Read， Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase， William Paca， Thomas Stone， Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe， Richard Henry Lee， Thomas Jefferson， Benjamin Harrison， Thomas Nelson， Jr.， Francis Lightfoot Lee， Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper， Joseph Hewes， John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge， Thomas Heyward， Jr.， Thomas Lynch， Jr.， Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett， Lyman Hall， George Walton.
圖片介紹
Fragment of a draft of the Declaration
法文
Relatives à l'activité humaine au cours du développement, quand un pays doit désarmer et l'autre des liens politiques entre les peuples et entre les pays dans le monde conformément aux lois de la nature et Dieu l'intention, sous réserve de l'indépendance et l'égalité de statut, pour l'homme Le respect pour l'opinion publique, ils doivent être indépendants des raisons d'être annoncé.
Nous croyons qu'à la suite de ces vérités sont évidentes: tous les hommes sont nés égaux, le Créateur leur donne un certain nombre de droits inaliénables, y compris le droit à la vie, à la liberté et la poursuite du bonheur de leurs droits. Afin de protéger ces droits, l'homme que dans leur établie entre le gouvernement et le gouvernement de l'autorité légitime, est régie par le consentement de l'. Lorsque toute forme de gouvernement pour saper le rôle de ces objectifs, les gens ont le pouvoir de changer ou la supprimer, de mettre en place un nouveau gouvernement, sa fondation sur laquelle les principes de son pouvoir, de sorte que les gens pensent que si seulement Le plus probable l'accès à leur sécurité et leur bonheur. Pour une mesure de précaution, le gouvernement a créé de nombreuses années, est due au mineur et ne devrait pas être à court de raisons de changer. Tous expérience passée montre que toute souffrance, tant qu'ils sont en mesure endurer, l'homme préfère la tolérance, et n'a pas l'intention d'abolir leurs propres intérêts qu'ils ont depuis longtemps habitués au gouvernement. Toutefois, lors de la traque à la même objectif dans une série d'abus de pouvoir et une forte ho-Victoires en ce que le gouvernement a tenté de placer l'homme sous un régime autoritaire, alors les gens ont le droit et l'obligation de renverser ce gouvernement, et pour leur sécurité future de la création d'un nouveau Sécurité - C'est le passé colonial Nilaishunshou ces circonstances, est maintenant obligés de changer leur système de gouvernement avant les causes. L'histoire contemporaine du roi de Grande-Bretagne, plusieurs jours de la victime victimes et des justifications solides pour Hao remporte l'histoire, le seul objectif de ces atrocités, dans ces Etats est d'établir la tyrannie autocratique. Afin de prouver que c'est vrai, il est juste sur les faits suivants au monde que --
Il a refusé de ratifier l'intérêt public les plus utiles et les plus nécessaires lois.
Il a interdit son approbation du gouverneur sont extrêmement urgente et juridiques nécessaires, ou mettre ces lois ne pas retarder l'entrée en vigueur, en attendant son consentement, et une fois ces lois ont été mises à l'écart, il a ignoré complètement.
Il a refusé de faciliter l'approbation de la majorité des habitants de la région d'autres lois, à moins que ces personnes préfèrent renoncer à leurs propres représentants à l'Assemblée législative du droit, mais ils ont un tel droit d'une valeur incalculable, et seul le tyran seulement craindre un tel droit.
Il déclare organes délibérants de convoquer extraordinaire, très gênant, loin de leurs archives des lieux de rencontre, le seul but est de leur permettre épuisé, a dû reporter son intention.
Il a à maintes reprises les États à dissoudre le parlement en raison de leur détermination sans peur de s'opposer à son attitude à l'égard des violations des droits de la population.
Il déclare à la dissolution du parlement, aussi longtemps refusé à élire un nouveau parlement, mais le pouvoir législatif ne peut être annulée, et encore ce pouvoir des gens ordinaires à l'exercice. En fait, les Etats encore en péril, tant la souffrance de l'agression extérieure et de troubles internes ont eu lieu à s'intéresser.
Ilempêcher nos États d'accroître la population; À cette fin, il a bloqué la loi à travers la naturalisation des étrangers, rejeté par d'autres États à encourager l'émigration de droit des étrangers, et d'améliorer les conditions pour l'attribution de nouvelles terres.
Il a refusé d'approuver la création du pouvoir judiciaire de la loi, pour faire obstacle à la mise en œuvre du travail judiciaire.
Il juges du terme, le montant et le paiement du salaire, il sera entièrement placé sous la domination.
Il a établi de nouvelles Guanshu, l'envoi d'un grand nombre de fonctionnaires, de harcèlement de notre peuple, les gens ont besoin et à l'épuisement de la matière vivante.
Il en temps de paix, sans le consentement de notre parlement, au milieu de notre armée.
Il a essayé de faire l'armée indépendante de la maison, la maison et plus.
Il a collaboré avec des gens à une place que nous ne correspondent pas à notre système et pas pour nous de reconnaître la loi en vertu de la compétence Il a également approuvé de ces qui concocté toutes sortes de faux billets pour atteindre les objectifs suivants:
Dans un grand nombre de forces armées stationnées au milieu de nous;
Faux procès à couvrir, de façon à tuer nos résidents sont toujours en liberté;
Nous couper les échanges avec le reste du monde;
Nous convenons que nous n'avons pas été contraints d'arrêter la fiscalité;
Dans de nombreux cas nous priver jouissent des droits et des intérêts du jury;
Luo tissage escorte nous compter outre-mer à subir son procès;
Sheng Lin dans un libre suppression du système juridique britannique, puis enveloppé dans la création de Zhuanzhizhengfu, et d'étendre les limites de la province, dans une tentative de devenir la province est un modèle est aussi un outil pratique à son tour tous ici pour la mise en œuvre de la même colonie Régime totalitaire;
Nous annulé la Charte, l'abolition de notre bien le plus précieux des lois, et fondamentalement changer notre état dans la forme de gouvernement;
Suspendre notre propre exercice du pouvoir de la législature, a fait valoir que leur droit à l'ensemble de notre législation.
Il a annoncé que nous n'avons pas protégé, et nous luttons pour donner ici en chef.
Il arbitraire pillé nos mers, ravagé nos zones côtières, brûlé nos villes et nos blesser la vie des gens.
Il est en ce moment le transport grand nombre de Bounty Hounds étrangers pour compléter le massacre, la destruction et le degré d'activités, ces activités ont commencé, même dans les plus cruelles méprisable ère barbare, il est difficile de trouver précédent. Il n'a pas qualifié comme un pays civilisé du chef de l'Etat.
Il a pris la haute mer de nos compatriotes, forcés à prendre les armes pour s'opposer à leur pays et de devenir leur propre famille et les amis ont tué les bouchers, ou sont morts de leurs proches et de ses amis.
Il inciter à la guerre civile entre nous, ceux qui fomentent etimpitoyable, les Indiens n'ont pas Kaihua Shalue aux résidents de notre frontière, et comme nous le savons tous, les Indiens sont la lutte contre la loi, indépendamment des hommes, des femmes et des enfants, tous les journal Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
Dans chacun de ces opprimés dépression stade, nous utilisons le plus humble demande d'améliorer la rhétorique, mais les demandes répétées de La réponse est maintes fois subi les dommages. Une monarchie, quand il a le caractère portent les cicatrices d'un tyran, n'est pas qualifié pour le dirigeant de peuple libre.
Nous ne sommes pas Gunian nos frères britanniques. Nous avons toujours leur rappeler que leur législateur dans une tentative flagrante de compétence déraisonnable à nos chefs. Nous disposons de nos immigrants viennent s'installer ici et ici dans le cas dit. Nous avons à la justice naturelle et Yaliang Shangan appel, nous leur demandons de lire dans la même race dans la même, à rejeter ces actes de pillage, afin de ne pas affecter leurs relations et les échanges. Mais ils ont ce sang et la voix de la justice, a également fait la sourde oreille. Par conséquent, nous devons déclarer et de leur provenance et à destination de traiter le monde comme l'attitude des autres nations les traiter: et nos opérations, est l'ennemi, et nous avons de bonnes et est un ami.
Par conséquent, nous, la prochaine session de l'Assemblée sur le continent de l'Union représentant à l'peuples coloniaux au nom du bien, non autorisé par eux au monde les plus nobles appel à la justice, de notre intention solennelle, et a annoncé solennellement que ces concertée Depuis lors, une colonie de la liberté et l'indépendance des nations et de leurs droits doit également être libre et indépendant, ils suppriment toutes les obligations d'allégeance à la famille royale britannique, leur pays et la Grande-Bretagne toutes les relations politiques entre tous les coupés de, et doit être coupé; Comme un pays libre et indépendant, qui a pleinement le droit de déclarer la guerre, et l'association, d'alliance, de commerce et de prendre un pays indépendant le droit de prendre toute action.
À l'appui de la présente Déclaration, nous avons la ferme confiance la bénédiction de Dieu pour nos vies, nos biens et notre honneur sacré, leur serment.
The Declaration of Independence
IN CONGRESS，JULY 4，1776 THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERAICA
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 Nature and 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 they are among these are life，liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights，governments are instituted among them，deriving their just power 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 shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer，while evils are sufferable，than t 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 right，it is their duty，to throw off such government，and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies；and such is now the necessity，which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is usurpations，all having in direct object tyranny over these States. To prove this，let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws，the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance，unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained；and when so suspended，he has utterly neglected to attend them. He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people，unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the Legislature，a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual，uncomfortable，and distant from the depository of their public records，for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.]
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly，for opposing with manly firmness his invasion on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time，after such dissolution，to cause others to be elected；whereby the legislative powers，incapable of annihilation，have returned to the people at large for their exercise；the State remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without and convulsion within. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states；for that purpose obstructing the laws of naturalizing of foreigners；refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither，and raising the condition of new appropriations of lands. He has obstructed the administration of justice，by refusing his assent of laws for establishing judiciary powers. He has made judges dependent on his will alone，for the tenure of their office，and the amount and payment of their salary. He has erected a multitude of new officers，and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people，and eat out our substances. He has kept among us，in times of peace，standing armies without the consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution，and unacknowledged by our laws；giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation. For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us；
For protecting them，by a mock trial，from punishment for any murder which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States. For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world；
For imposing taxes on us without our consent；
For depriving us in many cases，of the benefits of trial by jury；
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses；
For abolishing the free systems of English laws in a neighboring Province，establishing therein an arbitrary government，and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule these Colonies；
For taking away our Charters，abolishing our most valuable laws，and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments；
For suspending our own Legislatures，and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government here，by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us. He has plundered our seas，ravaged our coasts，burnt our towns，and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death，desolation and tyranny，already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely parallel in the most barbarous ages，and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country，to become the executioners of their friends and brethren，or to fall themselves by their hands. He has excited domestic insurrection amongst us，and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers，the merciless Indian savages，whose known rule of warfare，is an undistinguished destruction of all ages，sexes，and conditions. In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms：our repeated petition have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 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 an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity，and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpation，which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must，therefore，acquiesce in the necessity，which denounces our separation，and hold them.，as we hold the rest of mankind，enemies in war，in peace friends. We，therefore，the Representatives of the United States of America，in General Congress assembled，appealing to the supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions，do，in the name，and by authority of the good people of these Colonies，solemnly publish and declare，That these United States Colonies and Independent States；that they are absolved by from all allegiance to the British Crown，and that all political connection between them and the State，they have full power to levy war，conclude peace，contract alliances，establish commerce，and to do all other acts and things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this declaration，with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence，we mutually pledge to each other our lives，our fortunes，and our sacred honor.
在人類事務發展的過程中，當一個民族必須解除同另一個民族的聯繫，並按照自然法則和上帝的旨意，以獨立平等的身份立於世界列國之林時，出於對人類輿論的尊重，必須把驅使他們獨立的原因予以宣佈。
我們認為下述真理是不言而喻的：人人生而平等，造物主賦予他們若幹不可讓與的權利，其中包括生存權、自由權和追求幸福的權利。為了保障這些權利，人們纔在他們中間建立政府，而政府的正當權利，則是經被統治者同意授予的。任何形式的政府一旦對這些目標的實現起破壞作用時，人民便有權予以更換或廢除，以建立一個新的政府。新政府所依據的原則和組織其權利的方式，務使人民認為唯有這樣纔最有可能使他們獲得安全和幸福。若真要審慎的來說，成立多年的政府是不應當由於無關緊要的和一時的原因而予以更換的。過去的一切經驗都說明，任何苦難，衹要尚能忍受，人類還是情願忍受，也不想為申冤而廢除他們久已習慣了的政府形式。然而，當始終追求同一目標的一係列濫用職權和強取豪奪的行為表明政府企圖把人民至於專製暴政之下時，人民就有權也有義務去推翻這樣的政府，並為其未來的安全提供新的保障。這就是這些殖民地過去忍受苦難的經過，也是他們現在不得不改變政府制度的原因。當今大不列顛王國的歷史，就是屢屢傷害和掠奪這些殖民地的歷史，其直接目標就是要在各州之上建立一個獨裁暴政。為了證明上述句句屬實，現將事實公諸於世，讓公正的世人作出評判。
他拒絶批準對公衆利益最有益、最必需的法律。
他禁止他的殖民總督批準刻不容緩、極端重要的法律，要不就先行擱置這些法律直至徵得他的同意，而這些法律被擱置以後，他又完全置之不理。
他拒絶批準便利大地區人民的其他的法律，除非這些地區的人民情願放棄自己在自己在立法機構中的代表權；而代表權對人民是無比珍貴的，衹有暴君纔畏懼它。
他把各州的立法委員召集到一個異乎尋常、極不舒適而有遠離他們的檔案庫的地方去開會，其目的無非是使他們疲憊不堪，被迫就範。
他一再解散各州的衆議院，因為後者堅决反對他侵犯人民的權利。
他在解散衆議院之後，又長期拒絶另選他人，於是這項不可剝奪的立法權便歸由普通人民來行使，致使在這其間各州仍處於外敵入侵和內部騷亂的種種危險之中。
他力圖阻止各州增加人口，為此目的，他阻撓外國人入籍法的通過，拒絶批準其他鼓勵移民的法律，並提高分配新土地的條件。
他拒絶批準建立司法權利的法律，以阻撓司法的執行。
他迫使法官為了保住任期、薪金的數額和支付而置於他個人意志的支配之下。
他濫設新官署，委派大批官員到這裏騷擾我們的人民，吞噬他們的財物。
他在和平時期，未經我們立法機構同意，就在我們中間維持其常備軍。
他施加影響，使軍隊獨立於文官政權之外，並凌駕於文官政權之上。
他同他人勾結，把我們置於一種既不符合我們的法規也未經我們法律承認的管轄之下，而且還批準他們炮製的各種偽法案，以便任其在我們中間駐紮大批武裝部隊；不論這些人對我們各州居民犯下何等嚴重的謀殺罪，他可用加審判來庇護他們，讓他們逍遙法外；他可以切斷我們同世界各地的貿易；未經我們同意便嚮我們強行徵稅；在許多案件中剝奪我們享有陪審製的權益；以莫須有的罪名把我們押送海外受審；他在一個鄰省廢除了英國法律的自由制度，在那裏建立專製政府，擴大其疆域，使其立即成為一個樣板和合適的工具，以便嚮這裏各殖民地推行同樣的專製統治；他取消我們的許多特許狀，廢除我們最珍貴的法律並從根本上改變我們各州政府的形式；他終止我們立法機構行使權力，宣稱他們自己擁有在任何情況下為我們製定法律的權力。
他們放棄設在這裏的政府，宣稱我們已不屬他們保護之列，並嚮我們發動戰爭。
他在我們的海域裏大肆掠奪，蹂躪我們的沿海地區，燒毀我們的城鎮，殘害我們人民的生命。
他此時正在運送大批外國雇傭兵，來從事其製造死亡、荒涼和暴政的勾當，其殘忍與卑劣從一開始就連最野蠻的時代也難以相比，他已完全不配當一個文明國傢的元首。
他強迫我們在公海被他們俘虜的同胞拿起武器反對自己的國傢，使他們成為殘殺自己親友的劊子手，或使他們死於自己親友的手下。
他在我們中間煽動內亂，並竭力挑唆殘酷無情的印地安蠻子來對付我們邊疆的居民，而衆所周知，印地安人作戰的準則是不分男女老幼、是非麯直，格殺勿論。
在遭受這些壓迫的每一階段，我們都曾以最謙卑的言辭籲請予以糾正。而我們一次又一次的情願，卻衹是被報以一次又一次的傷害。
一個君主，其品格被他的每一個衹有暴君才幹的出的行為所暴露時，就不配君臨自由的人民。
我們並不是沒有想到我們英國的弟兄。他們的立法機關想把無理的管轄權擴展到我們這裏來，我們時常把這個企圖通知他們。我們也曾把我們移民來這裏和在這裏定居的情況告訴他們。我們曾懇求他們天生的正義感和雅量，念在同種同宗的分上，棄絶這些掠奪行為，因為這些掠奪行為難免會使我們之間的關係和來往中斷。可他們對這種正義和同宗的呼聲也同樣充耳不聞。因此，我們不得不宣佈脫離他們，以對待世界上其他民族的態度對待他們：同我交戰者，就是敵人；同我和好者，即為朋友。
因此我們這些在大陸會議上集會的美利堅合衆國的代表們，以各殖民地善良人民的名義，並經他們授權，嚮世界最高裁判者申訴，說明我們的嚴重意嚮，同時鄭重宣佈：
我們這些聯合起來的殖民地現在是，而且按公理也應該是，獨立自由的國傢；我們對英國王室效忠的全部義務，我們與大不列顛王國之間大不列顛一切政治聯繫全部斷絶，而且必須斷絶。
作為一個獨立自由的國傢，我們完全有權宣戰、締和、結盟、通商和采取獨立國傢有權采取的一切行動。
我們堅定地信賴神明上帝的保佑，同時以我們的生命、財産和神聖的名譽彼此宣誓來支持這一宣言。
〔說明〕
傑斐遜起草了《獨立宣言》的第一稿，富蘭剋林等人又進行了潤色。大陸會議對此稿又進行了長時間的、激烈的辯論，最終作出了重大的修改。特別是在佐治亞和卡羅來納代表們的堅持下，刪去了傑斐遜對英王喬治三世允許在殖民地保持奴隸製和奴隸買賣的有力譴責。這一部分的原文是這樣的：
他的人性本身發動了殘酷的戰爭，侵犯了一個從未冒犯過他的遠方民族的最神聖的生存權和自由權；他誘騙他們，並把他們運往另一半球充當奴隸，或使他們慘死在運送途中。
托馬斯。傑斐遜（1743-1826），生於弗吉尼亞的一個富裕家庭。曾就讀於威廉-瑪麗學院。1767年成為律師，1769年當選為弗吉尼亞下院議院。他積極投身於獨立運動之中，並代表弗吉尼亞出席大陸會議。他曾兩次當選弗吉尼亞州長。1800年當選美國總統。
傑斐遜在為自己的墓碑而作的墓志銘中這樣寫到：
這裏埋葬着托馬斯。傑斐遜，美國《獨立宣言》的作者，弗吉尼亞宗教自由法規的製定者和弗吉尼亞大學之父。
英文解釋
n.: postnatus, the D-of Independence, Declaration of Independence