The Connecticut Courant And Hartford Weekly Intelligencer Domestic News July 15, 1776

The first instant was rendered remarkable by the most important event that ever happened to the American Colonies, an event which will doubtless be celebrated through a long succession of future ages, by anniversary commemorations, and be considered as a grand Era in the history of the American States.--On this auspicious day, the Representatives of the Thirteen United Colonies, by the providence of God, unanimously agreed to, and voted a Proclamation, declaring the said Colonies FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES, which was proclaimed at the State House in Philadelphia, on Monday last, and received with joyful acclamations. Copies were also distributed to ALL the United Colonies. On Wednesday last it was read at the head of each Brigade of the Continental Army posted at and near New York, and every where received with loud buzzas, and the utmost demonstrations of joy.

The same evening the equestrian statue of George III. which Tory pride and folly raised in the year 1770, was, by the Sons of Freedom, laid prostrate in the dirt, the just desert of an ungrateful tyrant! The lead wherewith this monument was made, is to be run into bullets, to assimilate with the brain of our infatuated adversaries who to gain a pepper corn, have lost an Empire.*.--'Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat.'

A Gentleman who was present at this ominous fall of leaden Majesty, looking back to the Original's hopeful beginning, pertinently exclaimed, in the language of the Angel to Lucifer, 'If thou be'st he; but ah! how fallen! how chang'd!'

*Lord Clare, in the House of Commons, declared that a pepper corn, in acknowledgment of Britain's right to tax America, was of more importance than millions without it.