declaration of independenc

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declaration of independenc - Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) :

  DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. This is a state paper issued by the congress of 
  the United States of America, in the name and by the authority of the 
  people, on the fourth day of July, 17 76, wherein are set forth: 
       2.-1. Certain natural and unalienable rights of man; the uses and 
  purposes of governments the right of the people to institute or to abolish 
  them; the sufferings of the colonies, and their right to withdraw from the 
  tyranny of the king of Great Britain. 
       3.-2. The various acts of tyranny of the British Icing.
       4.-3. The petitions for redress of these injuries, and the refusal. 
  to redress them; the recital of an appeal to the people of "Great Britain, 
  and of their being deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. 
       5.-4. An appeal to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude 
  of the intentions of the representatives.  
       6.-5. A declaration that the 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 connexion between 
  them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be dissolved. 
       7.-6. A pledge by the representatives to each other, of their lives, 
  their fortunes, and their sacred honor. 
       8. The effect of this declaration was the establishment of the 
  government of the United States as free and independent) and thenceforth the 
  people of Great Britain have been held, as the rest of mankind, enemies in 
  war, in peace friends.