our connections and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and 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 the 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 Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dis. solved; 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. 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. The foregoing Declaration was, by order of Congress, engrossed, and signed by the following members :— Resolved, That copies of the Declaration be sent to the several assemblies, conventions, and committees, or councils of safety, and to the several commanding officers of the continental troops; that it be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at the head of the army. SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, JULY 4, 1776. The following List of Members of the Continental Congress, who signed the Declaration of Independence, (although the names are included in the general list of that Congress, from 1774 to 1788,) is given separately, for the purpose of showing the places and dates of their birth, and the time of their respective deaths, for convenient reference: NAMES OF THE SIGNERS. BORN AT DELEGATED FROM DIED Adams, John... Adams, Samuel..... Bartlett, Josiah.. Braxton. Carter. Chase, Samuel.. Clark, Abraham.. Clymer, George Carroll. Charles, of Carrollton... Annapolis, Md., Ellery, William.. Heyward, Thomas, Jr... Morton, John.... Nelson. Thomas, Jr. Read, George.. Rodney, Cæsar.... Rush, Benjamin, M.D... Somerset Co., Md., Conn., Oct. 19, 1735 Massachusetts.... July 4, 1826 October 10, 1797 in 1732 Georgia. in 1731 Georgia. about 1715 New Jersey. in 1746 South Carolina... March, 1809 in 1730 North Carolina... Novem. 10, 1779 June 17, 1742 North Carolina... October, 1790 March 7, 1707 R. I. and Prov. Pl. in 1737 New Jersey July 3, 1732 Connecticut... April 13, 1743 Virginia Oct. 14, 1734 Virginia Philadelphia, Penna., in 1743 South Carolina... Princeton, N. J., Ireland, July 13, 1785 July 4, January 5, 1796 1526 1797 1794 April, June 19, Decem. 30, 1803 1806 1777 Frederick Co., Va., in 1730 New Hampshire.. Novem. 28, 1785 about 1742 Pennsylvania... Feb. 5, 1722 New Jersey Nov. 26, 1726 Connecticut.. 1726 Virginia August 2, 1811 August 28, 1798 |