The People of this State have the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof, as a free, sovereign and independent State. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.Text of Article 13: That every man hath a right to petition the Legislature for the redress of grievances in a peaceable and orderly manner. Our great object for near a Twelve Month past has been the Formation and Ratification of a new System of Federal Government. This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the 4th of July. It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom. The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the. It became one of Douglass's most famous speeches—criticizing the chasm between America's Founding principles and the institution of slavery. July 4, Declaration of Independence signed ; September 21, Delaware Constitution adopted ; September 28, Pennsylvania Constitution and Bill of Rights adopted. Constitution 101 Logo.