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Did You Know? The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms · Voices Of Life

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before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
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Before the colonies declared themselves a free
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people, there was another declaration. One born
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not of rebellion, but of necessity. On July 6th,
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1775, the Second Continental Congress issued
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a formal statement explaining why the American
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colonies had taken up arms against Great Britain.
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It was called the Declaration of the Causes and
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Necessity of Taking Up Arms. Written primarily
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by John Dickinson, with revisions and influence
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from Thomas Jefferson, this document stood as
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the colony's official explanation for why peaceful
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petitions had given way to armed resistance.
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It was not yet a call for independence. But it
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was the moment America admitted that freedom
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might require defense. Guiding us through this
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pivotal moment is our host, Pastor David, whose
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pastoral insight and historical story -coming
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bring faith and conviction to the founding of
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a nation. Thank you for joining me today on Voices
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of Life, a ministry of the Church for Life. I'm
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Pastor David. As we continue our Did You Know
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series, celebrating 250 years of faith and freedom,
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we turn to a document that bridges peace and
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war, prayer and action, petition and independence.
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It's called the Declaration of the Causes and
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Necessity of Taking Up Arms. This declaration
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was issued on July 6, 1775, just months after
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the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord
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and Bunker Hill. It was the colony's official
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explanation for why they were now using armed
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resistance against Britain, even though they
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were not yet declaring independence. It served
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as a middle step between petitions for reconciliation
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and the later Declaration of Independence. So
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why was it written? Well, By mid -1775, the Congress
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faced a difficult truth. The time for petitions
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had passed. The British government had answered
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pleas for peace with military force. The colonies
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needed to explain to Britain, to their own people,
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and to foreign nations like France, why they
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were now defending themselves by arms. The Declaration
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made several key points. The colonies had repeatedly
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petitioned for peace and reform, but Britain
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ignored and rejected those efforts. The British
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government had responded with military force,
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not negotiation. The colonists were not seeking
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independence at this point. They were acting
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in self -defense. And lastly, they were forced
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to take up arms to preserve their rights and
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liberties. The heart of the message was simple.
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They were not rebels by choice. They were defenders
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of constitutional rights. The tone of this declaration
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is deeply revealing. It is defensive, not revolutionary.
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It expresses loyalty to the king, at least formally.
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It frames the conflict as resistance to Parliament's
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overreach, not rejection of Britain itself. This
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careful tone helped keep colonial support unified
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at a time when full independence was still controversial.
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But why does this matter? Well, the Declaration
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of Causes and necessity to take up arms is significant
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because it, number one, marks the transition
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from protest to armed conflict. It provides the
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ideology bridge between petitions and independence.
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Explains why colonies believe war had become
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unavoidable. Sets the stage for Declaration of
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Independence just one year later. It was the
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moment America said, we did not choose this fight,
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but we will not surrender our liberty. We have
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created the narrative for your listening pleasure,
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and we'll be presenting it now. If it was possible
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for men who exercise their reason to believe
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that the divine author of our existence intended
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a part of the human race to hold an absolute
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property in, and an unbounded power over others,
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marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom.
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As the objects of a legal domination, never rightfully
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resistible, however severe and oppressive, the
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inhabitants of these colonies might at least
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require from the Parliament of Great Britain
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some evidence that this dreadful authority over
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them has been granted to that body. but a reverence
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for our great creator, principles of humanity,
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and the dictates of common sense. Must convince
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all those who reflect upon the subject that government
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was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind
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and ought to be administered for the attainment
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of that end. The legislature of Great Britain,
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however stimulated by an inordinate passion,
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for a power not only unjustifiable, but which
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they know to be peculiarly reprobated by, the
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very constitution of that kingdom, and desperate
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of success in any mode of contest, where regard
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should be had to truth, law, or right, have at
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length deserting those. attempted to affect their
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cruel and impolitic purpose of enslaving these
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colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered
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it necessary for us to close with their last
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appeal from reason to arms. Yet, however blinded
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that assembly may be by their intemperate rage
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for unlimited domination, so to cite justice
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and the opinion of mankind, We esteem ourselves
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bound by obligations of respect to the rest of
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the world, to make known the justice of our cause.
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Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of
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Great Britain, left their native land to seek
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on these shores a residence for civil and religious
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freedom. At the expense of their blood, at the
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hazard of their fortunes, without the least charge
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to the country from which they removed, by unceasing
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labor, and an unconquerable spirit they affected,
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settlements in the distant and inhospitable wilds
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of America, then filled with numerous and warlike
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nations of barbarian societies or governments,
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vested with perfect legislatures, were formed
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under charters from the crown, and an harmonious
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intercourse was established between the colonies
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and the kingdom from which they derived their
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origin. The mutual benefits of this union became
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in a short time so extraordinary as to excite
7:48
astonishment. It is universally confessed that
7:53
the amazing increase of the wealth, strength,
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and navigation of the realm arose from this source.
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And the minister, who so wisely and successfully
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directed the measures of Great Britain in the
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late war, publicly declared that these colonies
8:14
enabled her to triumph over her enemies. Towards
8:19
the conclusion of that war, it pleased our sovereign
8:23
to make a change in his counsels. From that fatal
8:28
movement, the affairs of the British Empire began
8:31
to fall into confusion and gradually sliding
8:36
from the summit of glorious prosperity, to which
8:40
they had been advanced by the virtues and abilities
8:43
of one man, are at length distracted by the convulsions
8:48
that now shake it to its deepest foundations.
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The new ministry finding the brave foes of Britain.
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though frequently defeated, yet still contending,
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took up the unfortunate idea of granting them
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a hasty peace and then subduing her faithful
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friends. These devoted colonies were judged to
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be in such a state as to present victories without
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bloodshed and all the easy emoluments of statutable
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plunder. And so, before independence was declared,
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before the nation was born, America's leaders
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stood at a crossroads between peace and war.
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They had petitioned, they had pleaded, they had
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prayed. But when every door was closed, they
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were forced to take up arms to defend the rights
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they had long sought to preserve. This was not
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rebellion born of anger, but resistance born
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of conscience. Not a thirst for power, but a
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cry for liberty. The declaration of the causes
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and necessity of taking up arms was their solemn
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explanation. Their statement to the world that
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freedom must sometimes be defended before it
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can be declared. As we honor 250 years of faith
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and freedom, may we remember that courage is
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not always loud, and conviction is not always
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easy. Sometimes, it is the quiet resolve to stand
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firm when peace has been denied. Thank you for
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joining us for this Voices of Life special episode.
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May the spirit of 1775 remind us to guard liberty
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with faith, to defend truth with courage, and
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to trust the providence that still guides this
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nation. If it was possible for men who exercise
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their reason to believe that the divine author
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of our existence intended a part of the human
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race to hold an absolute property in and an unbounded
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power over others marked out by his infinite
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goodness and wisdom. As the objects of a legal
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domination, never rightfully resistible, however
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severe and oppressive. The inhabitants of these
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colonies might at least require from the Parliament
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of Great Britain some evidence. That this dreadful
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authority over them has been granted to that
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body. But a reverence for our great creator,
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principles of humanity and the dictates of common
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sense must convince all those who reflect upon
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the subject. That government was instituted to
12:31
promote the welfare of mankind. And ought to
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be administered for the attainment of that end.
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The legislature of Great Britain. However stimulated
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by an inordinate passion. For a power not only
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unjustifiable. But which they know to be peculiarly
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reprobated by. The very constitution of that
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kingdom. and desperate of success in any mode
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of contest. Where regard should be had to truth,
13:04
law, or right, have at length, deserting those,
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attempted to affect their cruel and impolitic
13:12
purpose of enslaving these colonies by violence,
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and have thereby rendered it necessary for us
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to close with their last appeal from reason to
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arms. Yet, however blinded that assembly may
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be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination.
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So to cite justice and the opinion of mankind,
13:38
we esteem ourselves bound by obligations of respect
13:42
to the rest of the world, to make known the justice
13:46
of our cause. Our forefathers, inhabitants of
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the island of Great Britain, left their native
13:55
land, to seek on these shores a residence for
13:59
civil and religious freedom, at the expense of
14:04
their blood, at the hazard of their fortunes,
14:07
without the least charge to the country from
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which they removed, by unceasing labor, and an
14:16
unconquerable spirit they affected, settlements
14:19
in the distant and inhospitable wilds of America.
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then filled with numerous and warlike nations
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of barbarian societies or governments, vested
14:32
with perfect legislatures, were formed under
14:36
charters from the crown, and an harmonious intercourse
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was established between the colonies and the
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kingdom from which they derived their origin.
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The mutual benefits of this union became in a
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short time so extraordinary. as to excite astonishment.
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It is universally confessed that the amazing
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increase of the wealth, strength, and navigation
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of the realm arose from this source. And the
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minister, who so wisely and successfully directed
15:15
the measures of Great Britain in the late war,
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publicly declared, that these colonies enabled
15:23
her to triumph over her enemies. Towards the
15:27
conclusion of that war, it pleased our sovereign
15:31
to make a change in his counsels. From that fatal
15:35
movement, the affairs of the British Empire began
15:39
to fall into confusion and gradually sliding
15:44
from the summit of glorious prosperity. to which
15:48
they had been advanced by the virtues and abilities
15:51
of one man, are at length distracted by the convulsions,
15:56
but now shake it to its deepest foundations.
16:01
The new ministry finding the brave foes of Britain,
16:05
though frequently defeated, yet still contending,
16:10
took up the unfortunate idea of granting them
16:16
a hasty peace. and then subduing her faithful
16:20
friends. These devoted colonies were judged to
16:24
be in such a state as to present victories without
16:29
bloodshed and all the easy emoluments of statutable
16:34
plunder. The uninterrupted tenor of their peaceable
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and respectful Behavior from the beginning of
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colonization, their dutiful, zealous and useful
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services during the war. Though so recently and
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amply acknowledged in the most honorable manner
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by his majesty, by the late king and by parliament
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could not save them from the meditated. Innovation's
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parliament was influenced to adopt the pernicious
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project and assuming a new power over them. have
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in the course of eleven years, given such decisive
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specimens of the spirit and consequences attending
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this power, as to leave no doubt concerning the
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effects of acquiescence under it, they have undertaken
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to give and grant our money without our consent,
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though we have ever exercised an exclusive right
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to dispose of our own property statutes. have
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been passed for extending the jurisdiction of
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courts of admiralty and vice -admiralty beyond
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their ancient limits, for depriving us of the
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accustomed and inestimable privilege of trial
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by jury in cases affecting both life and property,
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for suspending the legislature of one of the
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colonies, for interdicting all commerce of another.
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and for altering fundamentally the form of government
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established by charter and secured by acts of
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its own legislature solemnly confirmed by the
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crown for exempting the murderers of colonists
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from legal trial and in effect from punishment
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for erecting in a neighboring province acquired
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by the joint arms of great britain and america
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a despotism dangerous to our very existence,
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and for quartering soldiers upon the colonists
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in time of profound peace. It has also been resolved
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in Parliament that colonists charged with committing
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certain offences shall be transported to England
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to be tried. But why should we enumerate our
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injuries in detail? By one statute it is declared
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that Parliament can. of right make laws to bind
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us in all cases whatsoever. What is to defend
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us against so enormous, so unlimited a power?
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Not a single man of those who assume it is chosen
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by us or is subject to our control or influence.
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But on the contrary, they are all of them exempt
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from the operation of such laws and an American
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revenue. if not diverted from the ostensible
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purposes for which it is raised, would actually
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lighten their own burdens in proportion as they
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increase ours. We saw the misery to which such
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despotism would reduce us. We for ten years incessantly
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and ineffectually besieged the throne as supplicants.
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We reasoned, we remonstrated with Parliament
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in the most mild and decent language. But administration,
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sensible that we should regard these oppressive
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measures as freemen ought to do, sent over fleets
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and armies to enforce them. The indignation of
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the Americans was roused, it is true. But it
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was the indignation of a virtuous, loyal, and
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affectionate people. A congress of delegates
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from the United Colonies was assembled at Philadelphia.
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on the fifth day of last september we resolved
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again to offer an humble and dutiful petition
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to the king and also addressed our fellow subjects
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of great britain we have pursued every temperate
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every respectful measure we have even proceeded
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to break off our commercial intercourse with
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our fellow subjects as the last peaceable admonition
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That our attachment to no nation upon earth should
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supplant our attachment to liberty. This, we
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flattered ourselves, was the ultimate step of
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the controversy. But subsequent events of Shun,
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how vain was this? Hope of finding moderation
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in our enemies. Several threatening expressions
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against the colonies were inserted in His Majesty's
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speech. Our petition, though we were told it
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was a decent one, and that His Majesty had been
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pleased to receive it graciously, and a promise
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laying it before his Parliament, was huddled
21:48
into both houses among a bundle of American papers,
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and there neglected. The Lords and Commons in
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their address, in the month of February, said
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that a rebellion at that time actually existed
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within the province of Massachusetts Bay, and
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that those concerned with it had been countenanced
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and encouraged by unlawful combinations and engagements,
22:18
entered into by His Majesty's subjects in several
22:22
of the other colonies, and therefore they besought
22:26
His Majesty. that he would take the most effectual
22:29
measures to enforce due obedience to the laws
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and authority of the supreme legislature. Soon
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after, the commercial intercourse of whole colonies
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with foreign countries, and with each other,
22:43
was cut off by an act of parliament. By another,
22:47
several of them were entirely prohibited from
22:49
the fisheries in the seas near their coasts,
22:52
on which they always depended for their sustenance.
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and large reinforcements of ships and troops
22:59
were immediately sent over to General Gage fruitless,
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were all the entreaties, arguments, and eloquence
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of an illustrious band, of the most distinguished
23:10
peers and commoners who nobly and strenuously
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asserted the justice of our cause, to stay, or
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even to mitigate the heedless fury with which
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these accumulated and unexampled. Outrages were
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hurried on equally fruitless was the interference
23:28
of the City of London, of Bristol, and many other
23:31
respectable towns in our favour. Parliament adopted
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an insidious manoeuvre calculated to divide us,
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to establish a perpetual auction of taxations.
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Where colony should bid against colony, all of
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them uninformed what ransom would redeem their
23:49
lives. and thus to extort from us at the point
23:52
of the bayonet the unknown. Sums that should
23:56
be sufficient to gratify, if possible to gratify,
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ministerial rapacity, but the miserable indulgence
24:04
left to us of raising, in our own mode, the prescribed
24:08
tribute. What terms more rigid and humiliating
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could have been dictated by remorseless victors
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to conquered enemies? In our circumstances. to
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accept them would be to deserve them soon after
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the intelligence of these proceedings arrived
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on this continent general gage who in the course
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of the last year had taken possession of the
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town of boston in the province of massachusetts
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bay and still occupied a garrison on the 19th
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day of april sent out from that place a large
24:44
detachment of his army who made an unprovoked
24:47
assault on the inhabitants of the said province,
24:50
at the town of Lexington, as appears by the affidavits
24:54
of a great number of persons, some of whom were
24:58
officers and soldiers of that detachment, murdered
25:01
eight of the inhabitants, and wounded many others.
25:05
From thence the troops proceeded in warlike array
25:08
to the town of Concord, where they set upon another
25:11
party of the inhabitants of the same province.
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killing several and wounding more, until compelled
25:18
to retreat by the country. People suddenly assembled
25:23
to repel this cruel aggression and hostilities,
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thus commenced by the British troops, have been
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since prosecuted by them, without regard to faith
25:33
or reputation. The inhabitants of Boston being
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confined within that town by the general, their
25:40
governor, and having, in order to procure their
25:43
dismission, entered into a treaty with him it
25:47
was stipulated that the said inhabitants having
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deposited their arms with their own magistrate
25:53
should have liberty to depart taking with them
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their other effects they accordingly delivered
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up their arms but an open violation of honor
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in defiance of the obligation of treaties which
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even savage nations esteem sacred the governor
26:12
ordered the Thank you. who wish to attend and
26:44
comfort them, and those who have been used to
26:48
living plenty, and even elegance, are reduced
26:52
to deplorable distress. The general, further
26:57
emulating his ministerial masters, by a proclamation
27:01
bearing date on the 12th day of June, after venting
27:05
the grossest falsehoods and calumnies against
27:07
the good people of these colonies, proceeds to
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declare them all. Either by name or description
27:14
to be rebels and traitors. To supersede the course
27:19
of the common law. And instead thereof to publish
27:22
and order the use and exercise of the law. Marshall.
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His troops have butchered our countrymen. Have
27:30
wantonly burnt Charlestown. Besides a considerable
27:34
number of houses in other places. Our ships and
27:39
vessels are seized. The necessary. We have received
28:00
certain intelligence that General Carrollton,
28:03
the Governor of Canada, is instigating the people
28:07
of that province and the Indians to fall upon
28:10
us. and we have but too much reason to apprehend
28:14
that schemes have been formed to excite domestic
28:17
enemies against us. In brief, a part of these
28:22
colonies now feels, and all of them are sure
28:25
of feeling, as far as the vengeance of administration
28:28
can inflict them, the complicated calamities
28:32
of fire, sword, and famine. We are reduced to
28:36
the alternative of choosing an unconditional
28:38
submission. to the tyranny of irritated ministers
28:42
or resistance by force. The latter is our choice.
28:48
We have counted the cost of this contest and
28:51
find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery.
28:55
Honor, justice, and humanity forbid us tamely
28:59
to surrender that freedom which we received from
29:03
our gallant ancestors and which our innocent
29:06
posterity have a right to receive from us. We
29:10
cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning
29:14
succeeding generations to that wretchedness which
29:16
inevitably awaits them, if we basely entail hereditary
29:21
bondage upon them. Our cause is just, our union
29:26
is perfect, our internal resource is great, and
29:30
if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly
29:33
attainable. We gratefully acknowledge. as signal
29:38
instances of the divine favor towards us, that
29:42
his providence would not permit us to be called
29:44
into this severe controversy. Until we were grown
29:49
up to our present, strength had been previously
29:53
exercised in warlike operation and possessed
29:57
of the means of defending ourselves, with hearts
30:01
fortified with these animating reflections. We
30:04
most solemnly, before God and the world, declare
30:08
that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers,
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which our beneficent Creator hath graciously
30:16
bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled
30:19
by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance
30:24
of every hazard, with unabating firmness and
30:27
perseverance, employ for the preservation of
30:31
our liberties. being with one mind resolved to
30:35
die freemen rather than to live slaves. Lest
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this declaration should disquiet the minds of
30:42
our friends and fellow subjects in any part of
30:46
the Empire, we assure them that we mean not to
30:49
dissolve that union which has so long and so
30:53
happily subsisted between us and which we sincerely
30:57
wish to see restored. Necessity has not yet driven
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us into that desperate measure, or induced us
31:06
to excite any other nation to war against them.
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We have not raised armies with ambitious designs
31:13
of separating from Great Britain and establishing
31:17
independent states. We fight not for glory or
31:21
for conquest. We exhibit to mankind the remarkable
31:25
spectacle of a people attacked by unprovoked
31:28
enemies. without any imputation or even suspicion
31:33
of offense. They boast of their privileges in
31:36
civilization, and yet proffer no milder conditions
31:40
than servitude or death. In our own native land,
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in defense of the freedom that is our birthright,
31:48
and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation
31:51
of it. For the protection of our property, acquired
31:56
solely by the honest industry of our forefathers.
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We have taken up arms. We shall lay them down
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and hostilities shall cease on the part of the
32:10
aggressors and all danger of their being renewed
32:13
shall be removed and not before. With an humble
32:18
confidence in the mercies of the supreme and
32:20
impartial judge and ruler of the universe, we
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most devoutly implore his divine. Goodness to
32:29
protect us happily through this great conflict,
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to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation
32:35
on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the
32:39
empire from the calamities of civil war. It was
32:44
adopted by the Second Continental Congress on
32:46
July 6, 1775, acting collectively on behalf of
32:52
the 12 colonies and representing Georgia had.
32:56
join the Congress by that time. The Declaration
33:00
was entered into the official journals of Congress,
33:03
but did not include a signature page with the
33:06
names of all delegates. The document was issued
33:10
under the authority of the Second Continental
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Congress, whose presiding officer at the time
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was John Hancock, President of the Congress.
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The Declaration is generally attributed primarily
33:25
to Thomas Jefferson, John Dickinson. Jefferson
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prepared an initial draft, but Congress believed
33:34
it was too forceful. John Dickinson revised it
33:38
substantially, producing the version that Congress
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adopted. Historians generally regard the final
33:44
document as a collaborative work, with Dickinson's
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revisions shaping much of the final language
33:51
or retaining important elements of Jefferson's
33:54
draft. So what is the legacy of this document?
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Well, this document reminds us that freedom often
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begins with reluctant courage, the kind that
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defends before it declares. John Dickinson and
34:34
Thomas Jefferson gave voice to people who still
34:38
hoped for peace, yet prepared for sacrifice.
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And in that tension between loyalty and liberty,
34:46
America found its resolve. As we honor 250 years
34:51
of faith and freedom, may we remember that the
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courage to defend truth is as vital today as
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it was in 1775. Thank you for joining me for
35:01
this Voices of Life Did You Know special. Until
35:04
next time, may God bless you, and may God bless
35:07
the United States of America. before the nation
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was born. America's leaders stood at a crossroads
35:24
between peace and war. They had petitioned, they
35:29
had pleaded, they had prayed. But when every
35:33
door was closed, they were forced to take up
35:36
arms to defend the rights they had long sought
35:39
to preserve. This was not rebellion born of anger.
35:46
but resistance born of conscience, not a thirst
35:50
for power, but a cry for liberty. The declaration
35:57
of the causes and necessity of taking up arms
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was their solemn explanation, their statement
36:04
to the world that freedom must sometimes be defended
36:07
before it can be declared. As we honor 250 years
36:15
of faith and freedom, may we remember that courage
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is not always loud, and conviction is not always
36:25
easy. Sometimes, it is the quiet resolve to stand
36:32
firm when peace has been denied. Thank you for
36:37
joining us for this Voices of Life special episode.
36:43
May the spirit of 1775 remind us to guard liberty
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with faith, to defend truth with courage, and
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to trust the providence that still guides this
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nation.