University of Virginia Library

293. ALLEGIANCE, Renounced.—

We,
therefore, the representatives of the United
States of America in General Congress assembled,
do in the name and by the authority
of the good people of these States reject and
renounce all allegiance and subjection to the
kings of Great Britain and all others who
may hereafter claim by, through, or under
them; we utterly dissolve all political connection
which may heretofore have subsisted
between us and the people or parliament of
Great Britain.
[20]
Declaration of Independence as Drawn by Jefferson.

 
[20]

Congress struck out the italicized words and
inserted: “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.” Congress also inserted after the word
“assembled,” the words, “appealing to the Supreme
Judge of the World for the rectitude of our
intentions.”—Editor.