Argument for New Government

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here, no one of which could warrant so strange a pretension: that these were effected at the expense of our own blood & treasure, unassisted by the wealth or the strength of Great Britain: that in constituting indeed our several forms of government, we had adopted one common king, thereby laying a foundation for perpetual league & amity with them: but that submission to their parliament was no part of our constitution, nor ever in idea, if history may be credited: and

Commentary:

Congress removed all of the underlined portion of this passage from Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration. This passage was probably removed because of the charge it puts against the English people of not helping the colonists. Many similar passages were removed from the Declaration in an effort to place as much of the blame for the colonists situation on the king.

Commentary Provided By: D.J. Mason