Continental Congress' Declaration of Rights and Grievances against Great Britain
10/14/1774
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Written by the First Continental Congress, this document addressed grievances imposed on the colonies by the Intolerable Acts. The delegates approved a series of resolves which defined colonists’ rights and justified resistance to British policies that violated them. It also announced Congress’s plan to adopt the Continental Association (commonly known as the Articles of Association) and prepare addresses to the King and British people. Parliament was excluded since the colonies denied its authority.
In this Declaration of Rights and Grievances against Great Britain, the Continental Congress asserts that the inhabitants of the English colonies are entitled to "life, liberty, and property" and have rights such as to "peaceably to assemble, consider of their grievances and petition the king." In addition, it claims that recent laws of Parliament that imposed taxes and deprived Americans to trial by jury had to be rescinded.
Several days later, the Continental Congress would agree to the Articles of Association that would impose a trade boycott on British goods.
Much of this language foretells the later Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Bill of Rights in 1789.
In this Declaration of Rights and Grievances against Great Britain, the Continental Congress asserts that the inhabitants of the English colonies are entitled to "life, liberty, and property" and have rights such as to "peaceably to assemble, consider of their grievances and petition the king." In addition, it claims that recent laws of Parliament that imposed taxes and deprived Americans to trial by jury had to be rescinded.
Several days later, the Continental Congress would agree to the Articles of Association that would impose a trade boycott on British goods.
Much of this language foretells the later Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Bill of Rights in 1789.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
National Archives Identifier: 6922100
Full Citation: Continental Congress' Declaration of Rights and Grievances against Great Britain; 10/14/1774; Rough Journals; Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/continental-congress-declaration-of-rights-and-grievances-against-great-britain, June 13, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.