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 the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as 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. And 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.
_The figures refer to the numbers of the paragraphs._
Acceptance by the maker of a motion, of an amendment, 92, 93.
Addition of propositions, how effected, 88.
Adjournment, without day, equivalent to a dissolution, 139. effect of, on business under consideration, 140. _motion for_, takes precedence of all other motions, 137. when it may be amended, 137. form of, 138, 200.
Amendment, purposes of motions for, 60, 78. order of proceeding in, 95, 191. acceptance of by mover of proposition, 92, 93. of amendments by striking out and inserting, 107, 108. of amendment, to be put before the original amendment, 110. of an amendment to an amendment, not allowed, 96. object of such motion, how attained, 96, 97. cannot be made to what has been agreed to on a question, 98, 99, 100, 101. inconsistency of, with one already adopted, 102. may show the absurdity of the original object of the proposition, 132. may change the object, 128, 129, 133. or may defeat the object, 130, 131. by addition, 88. by separation, 89. by transposition, 90. by striking out, 94, 103 to 112. by inserting or adding, 94, 113 to 121. by striking out and inserting, 94, 122 to 127. _motion for_, by striking out and inserting, 103, 104, 111, 122. may be divided, 122. may be amended, 126. manner of stating question on, 112, 121, 127. precedence of question on, 123. to strike out, decided in the negative, equivalent to the affirmative of agreeing, 98, 100, 252. if passed may not be renewed, 103 to 106, 113 to 116, 119, 124, 125. stands in the same degree with the previous question, and indefinite postponement, 184. superseded by a motion to postpone to a day or to commit, 185. may be amended, 96, 107, 117, 126, 184. effect of vote on, 94 to 127, 187. to be put before the original motion, 110, 120.