Declaration of Independence Was 'Illegal,' Grounds for Treason, British Lawyers Say

Fox News ^ | 10/20/11

[Libloather]

Declaration of Independence Was 'Illegal,' Grounds for Treason, British Lawyers Say
Published October 20, 2011 | FoxNews.com

The Declaration of Independence was “illegal” and “treasonable,” according to a team of British lawyers, the BBC reports.

The assertion was made at a debate in Philadelphia between British and American lawyers over the legitimacy of the United States of America.

At the debate, pitting British barristers against American attorneys, lawyers for the former colonial power argued that America’s Declaration of Independence in 1776 “was not only illegal, but actually treasonable,” according to the BBC.

The lawyers representing the British team decided that the Americans had no legal grounds for secession. "[President Abraham] Lincoln made the case against secession and he was right."

[Little Ray]

To the taken in the same vein of humor:

To Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

Bring it on, b!tch.

American Patriots

[TASMANIANRED]

Duh, that’s why there was a war.

[infowarrior]

I believe that this became a moot point in 1776...

Point was 'in contention' in 1776. Became moot in 1781...

the infowarrior

[infowarrior]

So, using their argument, are they going to give England back to the Stuarts? Tear down any statues of Cromwell?

The Stuarts? They were interlopers from Scotland, who took over from the interlopers from Wales (the Tudors) when that family died out. Hasn't been a true "English" monarch since 1066. All those from Senlac to date have been from foreign stock including the present lot...

the infowarrior

[Oztrich Boy]

William the Bastard's invasion of England in 1066 was illegal--

The Pope said it was OK. The same justification for all attempted foreign invasions of England up to Napoleon.

[Vanders9]

Calm down guys, it was just a debate.

[Vanders9]

What a wise man Franklin was.

[Vanders9]

Force majeur!

[Vanders9]

...American finances will improve, because the British are better at financial management than Americans.

We are?????

[Vanders9]

Calm down - it was JUST A DEBATE!

[Vanders9]

Ah, but there is an important difference. July 4th, when all is said and done, celebrates the success of a rebellion. November 5th however, celebrates the crushing of one.

[Gaffer]

Don’t wanna kick their asses. Just the ones in power here.

[Vanders9]

Nothing to do with George III. In the first place, he was a thoroughly splendid chap, loving husband, doted on his children etc etc. In the second place, he was going through a "personal crisis" at the time.

The American colonists were fighting against the Ministers of the crown. They were the ones trying to impose executive power without consent.

[FreedomPoster]

Silly lawyers.

When it comes down to a nut-cuttin’, power flows from the barrel of a gun.

[SeaWolf]

He was in charge, he was responsible, no excuses.

[Vanders9]

He was NOT in charge. The Prime Minister of the time (Lord North) was in charge. Parliament sets policy, not the crown. The monarchy was constitutional only even then.

[21twelve]

While not okay for Obama to say it to Republicans in the Senate, I think it IS okay to tell the British “We won”.

OTOH - of COURSE the Declaration of Independence was illegal.

[21twelve]

I alternate between ranting and weeping when I read the Declaration of Independence to my kids. Almost all of the same stuff could be said of today’s government.