We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments and political bonds long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience has shown, that mankind is more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the political forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government and such political bonds, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of California and her people; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government and such political bonds. The history of the present and past administrations of the Federal Government, the said, an agent of the fifty republics of the United States, is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations of the constitutional compact between the people California and the federal agent of these United States. Therefore as, as the following injustices show, the federal agent has not and will not honor the constitutional obligations of the compact between California and itself. Therefore, having a direct object for the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over California and her people.
We, the people, of California submit to the world the following injustices, amongst others, committed by the federal agent of these United States:
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A government and agent whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our American brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by the federal agent to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and commerce. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, in Peace Friends but not countrymen.
We, therefore, the people of California, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do solemnly publish and declare that the California Republic, by necessity, is a free, sovereign, and independent nation; that the California Republic has resumed our position among the nations of the world. Henceforth, that all political connections between the California Republic and the federal agent and of these United States, is totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent State, we have the full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.
THEN THE WEST CAN DO IT
TOO!
The FTB's website creation and upkeep is being donated by the "Webmaster." All graphics and sound files are from public domain sources or used by permission. Contact the"Webmaster" if any of the said is not, so that it can be removed. All other materials and text are copyrighted (c) 1997, 1998 by FTB Org. Last revision April 27, 1998.