This is a modern-English version of The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, originally written by Jefferson, Thomas.
It has been thoroughly updated, including changes to sentence structure, words, spelling,
and grammar—to ensure clarity for contemporary readers, while preserving the original spirit and nuance. If
you click on a paragraph, you will see the original text that we modified, and you can toggle between the two versions.
Scroll to the bottom of this page and you will find a free ePUB download link for this book.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE 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.
When, during the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one group of people to break away from another and take on their own equal status among the powers of the world, the laws of nature and of God give them that right. Out of respect for the views of humanity, they should explain the reasons that lead them to separate.
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 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 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 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 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.
We hold these truths to be obvious, that all people are created equal, that they are given by their Creator certain unalienable Rights, including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. To protect these rights, Governments are established among People, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the People to change or abolish it and to create a new Government, laying its foundation on principles and organizing its powers in the way that seems most likely to ensure their Safety and Happiness. Common sense would suggest that long-established Governments should not be changed for trivial reasons; and experience has shown that people are generally more inclined to endure, as long as evils are bearable, than to right themselves by abolishing the systems they are used to. But when a long series of abuses and usurpations, all aimed at establishing absolute Despotism, is evident, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government and provide new safeguards for their future security. —Such has been the patient suffering of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity that compels them to change their former Systems of Government. The history of the current King of Great Britain is one of repeated injuries and usurpations, all aimed directly at establishing an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let the facts be presented to a fair world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has refused to approve laws that are essential and beneficial 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 forbidden his governors to pass laws that are urgent and important unless their implementation is paused until he gives his approval; and when they are paused, he has completely ignored 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 refused to pass other laws to accommodate large groups of people unless those people give up their right to representation in the Legislature, a right that is invaluable to them and only threatening to tyrants.
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 summoned legislative bodies to unusual, uncomfortable, and far-off locations away from where their public records are kept, just to wear them down into agreeing with his plans.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has repeatedly dissolved Representative Houses for standing up strongly against his attacks on the people's rights.
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 long refused, after such dissolutions, to have others elected; as a result, the Legislative Powers, unable to be destroyed, have reverted to the general public for their use; meanwhile, the State remains vulnerable to external invasions and internal turmoil.
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 migration hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has tried to limit the population of these states by blocking the laws that allow foreigners to become citizens, refusing to create new laws to encourage their migration here, and making it harder to get new land grants.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has blocked the Justice System by refusing to agree to laws that would establish court 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 made judges dependent solely on his will for the length of their terms and the amount and timing 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 set up a ton of new offices and sent over lots of officers to bother our people and drain their resources.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has maintained standing armies among us during times of peace without the approval of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has pretended to make the Military independent of and more powerful than the Civil Authority.
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:
He has teamed up with others to put us under a jurisdiction that is foreign to our constitution and not recognized by our laws; giving his approval to their acts of fake legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For housing large groups of armed soldiers with us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For protecting them, through a fake trial, from punishment for any murders they might commit against the inhabitants of these states:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:
For imposing taxes on us without our approval:
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For denying us, in many instances, the advantages of a Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For taking us across the sea to be tried for made-up offenses:
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 these Colonies:
For getting rid of the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, setting up an Arbitrary government there, and expanding its Borders to make it both an example and a suitable tool for bringing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For taking away our charters, getting rid of our most important laws, and fundamentally changing the structures of our governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
For shutting down our own Legislatures and claiming the authority to make laws for us in every situation.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has stepped down from governing us by declaring that he is no longer protecting us and is waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He has looted our seas, devastated our coasts, burned our towns, and ruined 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 of the Head of a civilized nation.
He is currently bringing in large groups of foreign mercenaries to finish the work of death, destruction, and oppression, which has already started with acts of cruelty and betrayal that are hardly matched in the most barbaric times and are completely unworthy of the leader 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 forced our fellow citizens who were captured on the high seas to fight against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and family, or to be killed by their own 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.
He has stirred up rebellions among us and has tried to incite the merciless Native Americans living along our borders, whose well-known method of fighting involves indiscriminate destruction of people of all ages, genders, and circumstances.
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.
In every instance of these oppressions, we have asked for relief in the most humble way: our repeated requests have only been met with more harm. A leader, whose actions show every sign of being a tyrant, is unfit to govern 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 usurpations, 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 haven't ignored our British brothers. We've warned them from time to time about their government trying to impose unjust control over us. We've reminded them of how and why we came here to settle. We've appealed to their sense of fairness and kindness, and we've urged them, through our shared heritage, to reject these overreaches, which would definitely disrupt our relationships and communication. They, however, have ignored the call for justice and our shared blood. Therefore, we must accept that we need to separate and consider them, like everyone else, as enemies in war but friends in peace.
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 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. 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.
We, the Representatives of the United States of America, gathered in General Congress, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the honesty 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 have the right to be, Free and Independent States; that they are released from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connections between them and Great Britain should and must be completely dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full power to wage war, make peace, form alliances, establish commerce, and do all other actions and things that Independent States have the right to do. To support this Declaration, with a strong reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
December, 1972 [Etext #2]
The United States Bill of Rights.
The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States Passed by Congress September 25, 1789 Ratified December 15, 1791
The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States Passed by Congress September 25, 1789 Ratified December 15, 1791
I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Congress cannot make any law that establishes a religion or prevents people from practicing their religion freely; nor can it limit freedom of speech, the press, or the right of people to gather peacefully and ask the Government to address their complaints.
II
A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
A well-organized militia is essential for the safety of a free state, so the people’s right to own and carry weapons shall not be violated.
III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
No soldier can be housed in any home during peacetime without the owner's permission, nor during wartime except in a way set by law.
IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The people's right to feel secure in their bodies, homes, documents, and belongings from unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated. No warrants shall be issued except based on probable cause, supported by an oath or affirmation, specifically detailing the place to be searched and the people or items to be seized.
V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
No one can be tried for a serious crime without a formal accusation from a Grand Jury, except for cases involving the military or militia during wartime or public emergencies. No one can be tried twice for the same crime, and no one can be forced to testify against themselves in a criminal case. Additionally, no one can be deprived of their life, freedom, or property without fair legal procedures, and private property cannot be taken for public use without fair compensation.
VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
In all criminal cases, the accused has the right to a speedy and public trial by an unbiased jury from the state and district where the crime was committed, which must have been lawfully determined beforehand. They must be informed of the nature and reason for the charges, have the right to confront the witnesses against them, have the ability to obtain witnesses in their favor, and have the support of a lawyer for their defense.
VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
In lawsuits at common law, if the amount in dispute is more than twenty dollars, the right to a jury trial shall be upheld, and no fact decided by a jury can be re-examined in any court of the United States, except according to the rules of common law.
VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Excessive bail shouldn't be required, excessive fines shouldn't be imposed, and cruel or unusual punishments shouldn't be inflicted.
IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The list of specific rights in the Constitution shouldn't be interpreted to deny or belittle other rights held by the people.
X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The powers that the Constitution doesn't give to the United States, nor prohibits to the States, are reserved for the States or the people.
THOMAS JEFERSON'S HANDWRITTEN DRAFT
[The following four images are from engravings taken from the Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence in his handwriting with some ammendations and changes in the handrwriting of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams--Click on the enlarge button to view the image in full-size.]
[The next four images are engravings based on Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence, showcasing his handwriting along with edits and changes made by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Click the enlarge button to view the image in full size.]
Download ePUB
If you like this ebook, consider a donation!