Another problem with the Declaration is that while the free and independent states are granted the right to make war and peace, the document gives no specific provisions explaining how the war will be paid for. This problem plagued Congress during the Revolutionary War and for many years afterwards. Without the power to tax, Congress could only request money from colonial governments, which had debts of their own to pay. The vague reference to these issues served to keep the statement of independence from being further bogged down in political debate.

Popular pages: The Declaration of Independence (1776)