The Declaration of Independence is really a remarkable document. So often we focus on the early part about the Self evident truths of life, liberty, and happiness. But really, its the grievances that give such good insight to the time. Here are a few in this thread that I chose arbitrarily . . .
And it ends: In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
-He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. -For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: -He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us
-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 depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: -For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: -For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
-He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. . .. .
-He has endeavoured[sic] to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. . . .
-He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass[sic] our people, and eat out their substance. -For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: - For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: . . .
-He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. -He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. -He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power ....