The Declaration of Arms

"Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms" as it appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine, London, August, 1775.

After the breakout of fighting at Lexington and Concord, and the battle of Bunker Hill - all within recent months - John Dixon and Thomas Jefferson prepared what will become an historic statement of the colonists' rights.

In their Declaration, they hold out the hope of reconciliation with England, but at the same time approve the use of armed resistence to obtain recognition of their rights. While it disavows all claims of independence, it insists Americans will die rather than yield to enslavement. The colonists claim that they are fighting a 
"ministerial" army and not their King. Their view is that George III has been misled by his counselors. The Americans promise to lay down their arms when their liberties are secured, but also indicate that the colonies may obtain aid against Britain.

"In our own native land, in defence of the freedom that is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it - for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our fore-fathers and ourselves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before.

With an humble confidence in the mercies of the supreme and impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we most devoutly implore his divine goodness to protect us happily through this great conflict, to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the Empire from the calamities of civil war".

Source: Gentleman's Magazine, London, August, 1775