May 15, 1776
The Second Continental Congress
Background
In this Resolution of the Continental Congress, the delegates state that since the British Crown and Parliament had excluded the colonies from its protection, had not sent an answer to their petitions, and that the force of the kingdom (including foreign mercenaries) were being “exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies,” that all authority from the British Crown should be totally suppressed. Instead, that the United Colonies must adopt their own government for the “happiness and safety” of Americans..
John Adams thought of it as “independence itself” and called it “the most important Resolution, that ever was taken in America.”
WHEREAS his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great-Britain, has by a late Act of Parliament excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of his Crown: AND WHEREAS no answer whatever to the humble Petitions of the Colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great-Britain, has been or is likely to be given; but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these Colonies: AND WHEREAS it appears absolutely irreconcileable to reason and good conscience, for the people of these Colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any government under the Crown of Great-Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government exerted under the people of the Colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue and good order, as well as for the defense of their lives, liberties and properties against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies:–
RESOLVED therefore, That it be recommended to the respective Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall in the opinion of the Representatives of the people best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general.
Extract from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.[1]
