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[{"insert":"INSTRUCTIONS TO DELEGATES FOR CHARLOTTE COUNTY, VIRGINIA."},{"attributes":{"align":"center"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n\tAt a meeting of the Committee of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Charlotte"},{"insert":" County, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"April"},{"insert":" 23, 1776, present the Chairman and fifteen Members:\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Resolved"},{"insert":", That in this truly alarming and important crisis of our publick affairs, it is expedient that the Delegates lately chosen for this County should know the sentiments of their constituents, and be instructed what part it is desired and expected they will act in the ensuing Convention.\n\n“"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"To"},{"insert":" PAUL CARRINGTON, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"and"},{"insert":" THOMAS READ, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Esq'"},{"insert":" :\n\n\t“GENTLEMEN: When we consider the despotick plan adopted by the King, Ministry, and Parliament of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":", insidiously pursued for these twelve years past, to enslave "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"America"},{"insert":"; when we consider that they have turned a deaf ear to the repeated petitions and remonstances of this and our sister Colonies, and that they have been equally inattentive to the rights of freemen and the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"British"},{"insert":" Constitution; and when we consider that they have for some time been endeavouring to enforce their arbitrary mandates by fire and sword, and likewise encouraging, by every means in their power, our savage neighbours, and our more savage domesticks, to spill the blood of our wives and children; and to crown the whole, they have added insult to their injustice and cruelty, by repeatedly pretending to hold out the olive-branch of peace in such a way as teacheth us that they are determined to persist in their hellish designs, and that nothing is intended for us but the most abject slavery; of this we can no longer doubt, since we have been made acquainted with a late letter from the Secretary of State to Governour Eden, and the late act of Parliament for seizing and confiscating all our ships and property that may fall into their hands:\n\n\t“Therefore, despairing of any redress of our grievances from the King and Parliament of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":", and all hopes of a reconciliation between her and the United Colonies being now at an end, and being conscious that their treatment has been such as loyal subjects did not deserve, and to which, as freemen, we are determined not to submit; by the unanimous approbation and direction of the whole freeholders, and all the other inhabitants of this County, we advise and instruct you cheerfully to concur and give your best assistance in our Convention, to push to the utmost a war offensive and defensive, until you are certified that such proposals of peace are made to our General Congress as shall by them be judged just and friendly. And because the advantages of a trade will better enable us to pay the taxes, and procure the necessaries for carrying on a war, and in our present circumstances this cannot be had without a Declaration of Independence; therefore, if no such proposals of peace shall be made, we judge it to be a dictate of the first law of nature, to continue to oppose every attempt on our lives and properties; and we give it you in charge, to use your best endeavours that the Delegates which are sent to the General Congress be instructed immediately to cast off the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"British"},{"insert":" yoke, and to enter into a commercial alliance with any nation or nations friendly to our cause. And as King George the Third, of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Great Britain"},{"insert":", &c., has manifested deliberate enmity towards us, and, under the character of a parent, persists in behaving as a tyrant, that they, in our behalf, renounce allegiance to him forever; and that, taking the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"God"},{"insert":" of Heaven to be our King, and depending upon His protection and assistance, they plan out that form of Government which may the most effectually secure to us the enjoyment of our civil and religious rights and privileges, to the latest posterity.\n\n\t“In all other things, gentlemen, that may come before you in Convention, we rely upon your known fidelity and zeal; resolving and giving you our faith, that we will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, to the utmost of our abilities, support and defend you, our country, and our sister Colonies, in the glorious cause in which we are now engaged.”\n\n\t"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Ordered"},{"insert":", That the above Resolves be published in the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Virginia Gazette."},{"insert":"\n\n\tBy order:\t\t\t\t\tWILLIAM JAMESON, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Clerk"},{"insert":".\n"}]
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Grouping Name
Appendix A: State and Local Declarations of Independence
^
5
States
1354
131846 - ?-??
Massachusetts
1462
541823 - ?-??
Counties
1354
8?-??
Appendix B: Local Resolutions on Independence: Some Examples
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6?-??
New York
1462
2?-??
Grand Jury Presentments
1354
4?-??
Appendix C: The Declaration of Independence: The Jefferson Draft with Congress's Editorial Changes
Force, Peter. American Archives: consisting of a collection of authentick records, state papers, debates, and letters and other notices of publick affairs, the whole forming a documentary history of the origin and progress of the north American colonies; of the causes and accomplishment of the American Revolution; and of the constitution of government for the United States, to the final ratification thereof. 4th Series, Volume V. Washington: M. St Clair Clarke, 1844. Available at HeinOnline.
