The Declaration has four main parts. The first part is the Preamble, a sort of introduction. It tells the world why the Continental Congress appointed Jefferson to write the document. In the Preamble he states:

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

The second part is a statement on the natural rights of mankind. It discusses the  rights given to us by God and outlines the legitimacy of our revolution. Jefferson drew heavily on the writings of fellow Englishman John Locke and a fellow Virginian, George Mason, to tell the world what seems to be a revolutionary idea, that...

all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

The third part is a long list of grievances that provides the rationale for our rebellion.
Many of the offenses committed by King George III against the people of these colonies are evident to the world as Mr. Jefferson has listed them, much in the same way the crimes of James II were listed in our Parliament's Bill of Rights in 1689.

The fourth and final part of the Declaration includes the formal announcement of our independence. This document tells the world our view on democratic rule, limited government, representative government, individual liberties, rule by law, natural rights, and the social contract between the government and the people. Congress wanted to achieve a peaceful settlement with England, but with the advent of violence and bloodshed, we must all move together toward the same fate: freedom or tyranny!
 
 
  New York Royal Statue

Death to Monarchy!

Celebrate American Independence!

Thomas Jefferson, He is the delegate of the second Continental Congress who wrote the Declaration of Independence. This document was appointed on the floor of Congress. It was wholly the work of Thomas Jefferson, except for minor changes by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin and other delegates. Jefferson was a graduate from the College of William and Mary.  He studied law under George Wythe.  After that he was a leader in the Colonial House of Burgesses from the year 1769 until the year 1775.  He was apart of forming and became a member of, the Virginia Committee of Correspondence.  In his paper A Summary View of the Rights of British American prepared the First Virginia Convention.  He brilliantly expounded the view that England had no authority in the colonies and that the only bond with England was that of voluntary allegiance to the king.  Jefferson now lives in Goochland, Va. He is a delegate to the Second Continental Congress.
 
 
 
 

Against Independence I don't see why the colonies need the declaration of Independence.  Great Britain has total control of the colonies and would do a far better job than any colonie could do.    King George has been good to thy family.  Congress has no right to declare the independence 0f the colonies.  New York will never let the Declaration pass.  If ye are wise do and stop the war began in 1775 in Lexington and Concord. England hast the greatest navy and are the best at fighting. New Yorker, colonist For Independence  The Declaration of Independence is the best forth the colonies.  Parliament is heavily taxing us.  By creating our own Republican form of government, we can carry out our own affairs including taxation.  Thus we willst declare independence on England.  Marylander, colonist