The Boston Gazette, Or, Country Journal Domestic News July 22, 1776

Thursday last, pursuant to the Orders of the honorable Council, was proclaimed, from the Balcony of the State House in Boston, the DECLARATION of the AMERICAN CONGRESS, dissolving the United Colonies from their Allegiance to the British Crown, and declaring them FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES. There were present on the Occasion, in the Council-Chamber, the Committee of Council, a Number of the honorable House of Representatives, the Magistrates, Ministers, Selectmen, and other Gentlemen of Boston and the neighbouring Towns; also the Commission Officers of the Continental Regiments stationed in Boston, and other Officers. Two of those Regiments were under Arms in King Street, formed into three Lines on the North Side of the Street, and in thirteen Divisions; and a Detachment from the Massachusetts Regiment of Artillery, with two Pieces of Cannon, was on their Right Wing. At One o'Clock the Declaration was proclaimed by the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk, which was received with great Joy, expressed by three Huzzas from a great Concourse of People assembled on the Occasion. After which, on a Signal given, Thirteen Pieces of Cannon were fired at the Fort on Fort-Hill. The Forts at Dorchester Neck, the Castle, Nantasket, and Point Alderton, likewise discharged their Cannon: Then the Detachment of Artillery fired their Cannon thirteen Times, which was followed by the two Regiments giving their Fire from the thirteen Divisions in Succession. These Firings corresponded to the Number of the American States United. The Ceremony was closed with a proper Collation to the Gentlemen in the Council Chamber; during which, the following Toasts were given by the President of the Council, and heartily pledged by the Company, viz.

Prosperity and Perpetuity to the United States of America.
The American Congress.
The General Court of the State of Massachusetts Bay.
General WASHINGTON, and Success to the Arms of the United States.
The downfall of Tyrants and Tyranny.
The universal Prevalence of Civil and Religious Liberty.
The Friends of the United States in all Quarters of the Globe.

The Bells of the Town were rung on the Occasion; and undissembled Festivity cheer'd and brighten'd every Face.

On the same Day a Number of the Members of the Council (who were prevented attending the Ceremony at Boston, on account of the Small Pox being there) together with those of the Hon. House of Representatives who were in Town, and a Number of other Gentlemen assembled at the Council Chamber in this Town, where the said Declaration was also proclaimed by the Secretary, from one of the Windows; after which, the Gentlemen present partook of a decent Collation prepared on the Occasion and drank a Number of constitutional Toasts, and then retired.