For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us.
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States.
I was wondering if anyone can explain what this is referring to. Is it referring to British soldiers killing civilians during the early stages of the rebellion (eg, Boston Massacre) or is it specifically toward the conduct of British troops when quartered?
Part of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 allowed British officials on trial for crimes in America to be tried in another colony or back in Britain. The justification was that they would not be able to receive a fair trial in the colony where the crime was committed. So if a British official murdered someone, the British could ship him back to England, hold a show trial, and acquit him. That was the fear, and that's what the Declaration is referencing. I don't know of any examples of this actually occurring, I'd be interested to hear from others about that. It is worth noting that the Boston Massacre soldiers received a fair trial in Massachusetts and were defended by John Adams.