This Chapter provides a close reading of the Declaration’s text. Supporters of the thirteen independent nations argument rely almost entirely on the Declaration’s assertion about “Free and Independent States.” Yet, this assertion is far less compelling than is often claimed, and the relevant passage can be read quite differently (as declaring the independence of the “United Colonies”). More importantly, other passages in the Declaration strongly support a “one nation” argument, including the document’s opening reference to “one People” and its conspicuous failure to identify any state by name. The Chapter also focuses on the importance of the capitalization of “United Colonies” and “Free and Independent States” as well as the “United States of America” (phrases where the Dunlap broadside differs from the ceremonial parchment, an issue that prior historians have often bungled).