How was the declaration of independence viewed when it was first written?

The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 by the Continental Congress. It was viewed as a document of the people wanting to Declare their independence from Britain. After all the taxes/laws the colonists have gone through, they had enough (Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Townshend Act, Intolerable Acts, etc.) Almost all colonists viewed it as their ray of "hope." There are a few loyalists who disapprove, though.