The text in the first column is from a copy in the handwriting of John Adams. From a comparison of it with the facsimile of Jefferson's rough draft, it is evident that it represents the first phrasing of the paper. The text in the second column is approximately that reported by the committee to Congress, and is taken from Jefferson's rough draft. The text in the third column is from the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence.
| FIRST DRAFT | REPORTED DRAFT | ENGROSSED COPY |
|---|---|---|
| A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in general Congress assembled. | A Declaration by the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in General Congress assembled. | In Congress, July 4,1776. |
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent —For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of Trial by jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
He has prostituted his Negative for Suppressing every legislative Attempt to prohibit or to restrain an execrable Commerce, determined to keep open a Market where Men should be bought and sold, and that this assemblage of Horrors might want no Fact of distinguished Die.
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