[Tau Food]

The Declaration says, for example, "these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States." Plural.

Yeah, that's what the Declaration said in 1776. However, they then formed a confederation (Articles of Confederation). Then, in 1789, the people of the United States formed a new national government and a "more perfect Union" with a new Constitution.

[UnwashedPeasant]

"Yeah, that's what the Declaration said in 1776. However, they then formed a confederation (Articles of Confederation). Then, in 1789, the people of the United States formed a new national government and a "more perfect Union" with a new Constitution."

They formed a Union, not a single Nation-State. It was like NATO or the UN. "United States" was plural.