Final Paragraph (written by a committee and signed by a Continental Congress)

 We, therefore,

the Representatives of the

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

in GENERAL CONGRESS, Assembled,

appealing to the Supreme Judge

of the WORLD

for the rectitude of our intentions,

do,

in the name and by authority of

good people of these 13 colonies,

solemnly publish and declare:

THAT

these United colonies

are, and of right ought

to be, FREE AND 

INDEPENDENT

STATES,

they have 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.

For the support of this

DECLARATION, with a

firm reliance on the

protection of Divine

Providence,

we mutually pledge to 

each other our

Lives, our Fortunes,

and our sacred Honor.

ratified July 2, 1776

by majority but no

unanimous vote;

signed August 1776 in a

ceremony attended by

those who approved; 

later distributed to

13 colonies, major

cities of the U.S.A.