I the underwritten, to acknowledge the thirteen United States of America, namely Newhampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhodeisland, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to be free independent & Sovereign States; and declare that the People thereof owe no Allegiance or obedience to George the third King of Great Britain; and I renounce refuse & abjure any allegiance or Obedience to him. And I do swear that I will to the utmost of my Power support, maintain and defend, the said United States, against the said George the third, King of Great Britain, and his Heirs and Successors, and his and their Abettors, Assistants & Adherents./. So help me God.