In the Summary Review of the Rights of British America Jefferson sets out many reasons for the necessity of a declaration of independence among which are the despotism of the British crown under George III in preventing the inhabitants of the 13 colonies from the pursuit of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Also, the colonies had written the king several times about the necessity of redress for their grievances but had never received a response. Also, being a colony of Great Britain, free trade with other countries was not allowed.
The effect of the plague that the narrator in “The Decameron” describes as “even worse, and almost incredible” as he tries to convey the horror of that time period is: Parents refused to care for their dying children.
Fathers and mothers refused to assist and care for their own children, it was as if their children did not belong to them.
