B4

When a group of people decide that it is in their best interest to break free from their leaders and establish their own leadership, it is common courtesy to explain to the former leaders why their subjects are choosing to leave.

The intended audience is both the King of England and Parliament. Writing this document was the official way of jump-starting America. They had to make sure England knew that they were serious.

It's interesting to me that all the grievances are directed towards the king...when wasn't it parliament who was passing all the laws and taxes that the colonies didn't approve of?