The Sanquhar Declarations of the Covenanters, Scotland, 1680s

Scottish Presbyterian Covenanters also had a series of "Declarations" - the Rutherglen Declaration of 29 May 1679 (online here) and the Hamilton Declaration of 13 June 1679 just over a week prior to the Battle of Bothwell Brig, of 22 June 1679 (online here). Crushed at Bothwell, many of them continued in resistance.

Exactly a year later, they issued yet another, in the small town of Sanquhar, in the Galloway Hills between Dumfries and Ayr.

The first Sanquhar Declaration was on 22 June 1680, by Richard Cameron, which denounced King Charles II:

although we be for government and governors such as the Word of our God and our Covenant allows, yet we for ourselves and all that will adhere to us as the representatives of the true Presbyterian Kirk and Covenanted nation of Scotland, considering the great hazard of lying under such a sin any longer, do by thir presents disown Charles Stuart, that has been reigning (or rather tyrannizing as we may say) on the throne of Britain these years bygone, as having any right, title to, or interest in, the said Crown of Scotland for government, as forfeited several years since, by his perjury and breach of covenant both to God and His Kirk, and usurpation of His crown and royal prerogatives therein, and many other breaches in matters ecclesiastic, and by his tyranny and breach of the very leges regnandi in matters civil. For-which reason we declare, that several years since he should have been denuded of being king, ruler, or magistrate, or of having any power to act, or to be obeyed as such. As also, we, being under the standard of our Lord Jesus Christ, Captain of Salvation, do declare a war with such a tyrant and usurper, and all the men of his practices,

There was another at Lanark on 12 January 1682. The second Sanquhar Declaration was on 28 May 1685, by James Renwick, which denounced King James II. 

Both of the Sanquhar Declarations were regarded as treason, and both Cameron and Renwick paid the ultimate price for challenging the state's authority.

Many Covenanters came to Ireland (Renwick and Cameron had been active in Ulster and in Dublin) and many then travelled onwards across the Atlantic to the 13 Colonies.

A century after Sanquhar, their descendants opposed London governmental tyranny and were some of the first to organise against slavery.

In western Pennsylvania, in 1775, it was in the community of Hanna's Town, where 18 year old Elizabeth Craig (said to be a granddaughter of Ayrshire Covenanters) was asked to customise a Red Ensign flag for the new local civilian militia, by adding a design of a poised rattlesnake and the slogan "Don't Tread On Me".