In Congress. July 4, 1776.

[…]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 StatesColonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the Present Chief ExecutiveKing 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 the 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 endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither[…]

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice[…]

He has[…] sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People[…]

For protecting [Armed Troops], 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 the Seas to be tried for pretended Offences[…]

For[…] abolishing our most valuable Laws[…]

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us[…]

He has excited domestic Insurrections among us[…]

A PresidentPrince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.