Declarations Before THE Declaration of Independence
By Ray Raphael - Posted at the Journal of the American Revolution:
Published June 30, 2026
When the Continental Congress approved its Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, at least ninety public bodies had already declared in favor of independence. In those times, local jurisdictions often gave specific instructions to their representatives in higher bodies. (In Britain, by contrast, lower bodies “delegated” authority to elected officials, who could then act as they thought best.) Following the custom, many local bodies addressed the monumental topic of the moment. Pauline Maier cites and discusses these in her masterful book American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997). Below are a few examples from the original texts.On May 10, 1776, the Massachusetts House of Representatives asked town meetings “to express their minds with respect to American independence of the Kingdom of Great Britain.” At least fifty-eight townships weighed in, all favoring a total break.
From Topsfield, proximate to the provincial seat of government in Salem:
A few years ago, sir, such a question would have put us into a surprise, and, we apprehend, would have been treated with the utmost contempt. We then looked on ourselves happy in being subjects of the King of Great Britain. It being our forefathers’ native country, we looked up unto them as our parent State; and we have always looked upon it as our duty, as well as our interest, to defend and support the honour of the Crown of Great Britain . . . both with our lives and fortunes. . . . But the scene is now changed; our sentiments are now altered. She who was called our mother country and parent State, has now, without any just cause, or injury done by these Colonies, become their greatest enemy. The unprovoked injuries these Colonies have received; the unjustifiable and unconstitutional claims that have been made on the Colonies by the Court of Great Britain, to force us, and take away our substance from us, and that at any time, or for any use, that they please, without our consent, and the prosecuting these their claims, have been cruel and unjust to the highest degree. The whole conduct of the Court of Great Britain, and the fallacious conduct of their Governours appointed and sent into these Colonies, are so well known . . . we think it needless to enumerate any further particulars. For these reasons, sir, as well as many others that may be mentioned, we are confirmed in the opinion that the United Colonies will be greatly wanting in their duty, both to the great Governour of the Universe, to themselves, and posterity, if independence of the Kingdom of Great Britain is not declared, as soon as may be. . . . Having thus freely spoken our sentiments in respect to independence, &c., we now instruct you, sir, to give the honourable the Continental Congress the strongest assurance that if, for the safety of the United Colonies, they shall declare America to be independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, your constituents will support and defend the measure with their lives and fortunes, to the utmost of their power.”[1]