Declaration

(děk-lah-ra's hun.) [L. declaratio.] (Law.) That part of the proce or pleading in a common law court, in which a statement of the plaintiff's complaint against the defendant is set forth. - D. OF INDEPENDENCE. (Amer. Hist.) That instrument promulgated by the Congre of the U. States, bearing date 4th July, 1776, which authoritatively declares that " the United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved of all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the States of Great Britain is, and ought to be, di olved." -D. OF WAR. (Pol.) A public proclamation made to the subjects of a state,declaring them to be at war with some foreign power, and forbidding all and every one to a ist the common enemy at their peril. In the U. States, the power of i uing such declaration is vested in Congre by Art. 1, 8. 8, of the Constitution, and the only form nece ary to be observed is that of the pa age of such declaration through the legislature. [s. 270]