Principally, And First Of All, I Resign

Among The Natural Rights Of The Colonists Are These: First, A Right To Life; Second, To Liberty; Third, To Property; Together With The Right To Support And Defend Them In The Best Manner They Can. These Are Evident Branches Of ... The Duty Of Self-preservation, Commonly Called The First Law Of Nature. All Men Have A Right To Remain In A State Of Nature As Long As They Please; And In Case Of Intolerable Oppression, Civil Or Religious, To Leave The Society They Belong To, And Ernter Into Another.... Now What Liberty Can There Be Where Property Is Taken Away Without Consent?

Our Unalterable Resolution Would Be To Be Free. They Have Attempted To Subdue Us By Force, But God Be Praised! In Vain. Their Arts May Be More Dangerous Then Their Arms. Let Us Then Renounce All Treaty With Them Upon Any Score But That Of Total Separation, And Under God Trust Our Cause To Our Swords.

What Has Commonly Been Called Rebellion Has More Often Been Nothing But A Manly And Glorious Struggle In Opposition To The Lawless Power Of Rebellious Kings And Princes.

The Name Of The Lord (says The Scripture) Is A Strong Tower; Thither The Righteous Flee And Are Safe (proverbs 18:10). Let Us Secure His Favor And He Will Lead Us Through The Journey Of This Life And At Length Receive Us To A Better.

If Ever A Time Should Come, When Vain And Aspiring Men Shall Possess The Highest Seats In Government, Our Country Will Stand In Need Of Its Experienced Patriots To Prevent Its Ruin.