They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. we must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends. in section 4 of the declaration, jefferson speaks about citizens loyal to the british government. what does jefferson want these citizens to understand? the signers of the declaration want to maintain their friendships with them. all of mankind is about to be at war. if they side with the king, they will become enemies of the united states. they should have denounced great britain earlier.