The Virginia Resolution was passed by the Virginia Convention delegates on
May 15, 1776. They had finally had enough of King George. They unanimously
approved this resolution requiring their delegates to the Continental Congress
to propose to the full Congress that the united colonies ought to be "free
and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence upon,
the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain." This started a chain of events
that led to the Declaration of Independence
only a few months later. Richard Henry Lee actually submitted the resolution to Congress on June 7.
Read the resolution actually submitted to
Congress by Richard Henry Lee, known as the "Lee Resolution" here
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION OF THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, MAY 15, 1776, INSTRUCTING
THE VIRGINIA DELEGATES IN THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS TO "PROPOSE TO THAT RESPECTABLE
BODY TO DECLARE THE UNITED COLONIES FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES"
Forasmuch as all the endeavours of the United Colonies, by the most decent
representations and petitions to the King and Parliament of Great Britain, to
restore peace and security to America under the British Government, and a reunion
with that people upon just and liberal terms, instead of a redress of grievances,
have produced, from an imperious and vindictive Administration, increased insult,
oppression, and a vigorous attempt to effect our total destruction:-By a late
act all these Colonies are declared to be in rebellion, and out of the
protection of the British Crown, our properties subjected to confiscation,
our people, when captivated, compelled to join in the murder and plunder of
their relations and countermen, and all former rapine and oppression of Americans
declared legal and just; fleets and armies are raised, and the aid of foreign
troops engaged to assist these destructive purposes; the King's representative
in this Colony bath not only withheld all the powers of Government from operating
for our safety, but, having retired on board an armed ship, is carrying on a
piratical and savage war against us, tempting our slaves by every artifice to
resort to him, and training and employing them against their masters. In this
state of extreme danger, we have no alternative left but an abject submission
to the will of those overbearing tyrants, or a total separation from the Crown
and Government of Great Britain, uniting and exerting the strength of all America
for defence, and forming alliances with foreign Powers for commerce and aid in
war:-Wherefore, appealing to the Searcher of hearts for the sincerity of former
declarations expressing our desire to preserve the connection with that nation,
and that we are driven from that inclination by their wicked councils, and the
eternal law of self-preservation:
Resolved, unanimously, That the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in
General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare
the United Colonies free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance
to, or dependence upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain; and that they
give the assent of this Colony to such declaration, and to whatever measures may
be thought proper and necessary by the Congress for forming foreign alliances,
and a Confederation of the Colonies, at such time and in the manner as to them
shall seem best: Provided, That the power of forming Government for, and the
regulations of the internal concerns of each Colony, be left to the respective
Colonial Legislatures.
Resolved, unanimously, That a Committee be appointed to prepare a Declaration
of Rights, and such a plan of Government as will be most likely to maintain
peace and order in this Colony, and secure substantial and equal liberty to
the people.
And a Committee was appointed of the following gentlemen: Mr. Archibald Cary,
Mr. Meriwether Smith, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Henry, Mr.
Dandridge, Mr. Edmund Randolph, Mr. Gilmer, Mr. Bland, Mr. Digges, Mr. Carrington,
Mr. Thomas Ludwell Lee, Mr. Cabell, Mr. Jones, Mr. Blair, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Tazewell,
Mr. Richard Cary, Mr. Bullitt, Mr. Watts, Mr. Banister, Mr. Page, Mr. Starke, Mr.
David Mason, Mr. Adams, Mr. Read, and Mr. Thomas Lewis.
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