The Declaration of Independence is often misunderstood, which I wrote about here. One of the most important, yet overlooked, sections of the document is the list of indictments against King George III. The indictments are further evidence that the Declaration was never meant to be a revolutionary statement. From the Magna Carta to the colonial constitutions, George III was indicted for violating existing laws. Jefferson listed a total of 27 indictments against the King. Throughout February, we’re going to look at one indictment a day, why it was levied, and why it is still relevant.
Indictment #20 reads as follows:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
Why was the indictment levied: In 1774, Parliament passed the Quebec Act. This re-established French civil law in the province of Quebec, with a strong Catholic government. The British still possessed control over public law such as administrative appeals, court procedure, and criminal prosecution. The Quebec Act also expanded Canadian territory towards the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
This act served two purposes. It appeased the citizens of Quebec who wished for a return to French Catholic government. It also preemptively expanded territory to corner the American colonies. By 1774, Great Britain accurately predicted the upcoming rebellion in their American colonies. Expanding a friendly Canada to surround the colonies gave them the ability to deploy troops proactively.
Why is this important today: Indictment #20 revolves around Great Britain creating an “arbitrary government” to introduce the “same absolute rule into these colonies.” Governing bodies that exist outside of the U.S. government, which disadvantage Americans, are frequently created today.
In previous indictments, we looked at how war has been declared on our behalf by outside governments such as the United Nations (UN). The UN has a monopoly on its scope of power, which is a recipe for disaster. Agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) operate unchecked under the auspices of the UN.
As their namesakes suggest, these agencies have control over food, health, currency, agriculture and labor – nearly all aspects of life. They have no accountability to the people of the United States. Jefferson would have considered these “arbitrary governments.” The UN has “enlarged its boundaries” and introduced “absolute rule” to the United States.