Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms at No Quarters

No Quarters has reproduced the entire document known as Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms. An important precursor to the Declaration of Independence, it was issued July 6, 1775. The things you learn by reading blogs.

This document was prepared by the Second Continental Congress to explain to the world why the British colonies had taken up arms against Great Britain. It is a combination of the work of Thomas Jefferson and Colonel John Dickinson (well-known for his series "Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer."). Jefferson completed the first draft, but it was perceived by the Contenential Congress as too harsh and militant; Dickinson prepared the second. The final document combined the work of the two.

UPDATE: Lest Darkness Fall also has some links to the Lee Resolution, another document that was a prelude to the Declaration of Independence.