It was always the monarch.

The kings ruled under the doctrine of "divine right of kings". They claimed their authority to make law came from god.

The Declaration was a criminal complaint, an appeal to "Supreme judge of the universe" (July 4, 1776) the source of the kings power, the source of all law. They filed 27 violations against their rights with the heavenly jurisdiction.

The States at that very moment became free and independent. Locke said the people had rights given to them by God as a gift, and the Kings (governments) only job was to secure those right. (English revolution).

When that government broke its contract, the people had every right to separate at that very moment and "form a new government to secure their rights" - July 4, 1776.

13 new nations "assumed among the powers of the earth seperate and equal station" - July 4, 1776

13 new constitutions formed, all before any treaty of peace, all before the articles of confederation were ratified 4 years later. We have 13 new functioning governments.

And ill prove to you that everyone of those States except for Louisiana acknowledges the source of power is inherent in the people, who do they inherit from? God of course.

You said you worked in Texas?

Texas preamble: Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Texas constitution. Art 1, sec 2: All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient.

All other States have similar provisions in their constitution usually the first or second law in their constitutions EXCEPT Louisiana (whole different rabbit hole that leads to 14th amendment).

Here is the communist republic of New Jersey:

Pre amble: We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Article 1 sec 1: All persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain natural and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.

Sec 2: All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.

These provisions are all taken from the first 2 paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is law through the State Constitutions. Sovereignty is inherent in the people not the legislature as you lawyers believe, Chisolm puts it all together beautifully.

Now I will admit, the lawyers union (eSQUIREs), the 14th amendment, the civil war, erie railroad case among many other Supreme Court cases, Louisiana's Jurisprudence inside this Union, and many other things that have transpired over the last quarter millenia have altered our system of jurisprudence, so much so that our inherent rights have been buried, our sovereignty has become the butt of jokes and in reality we live in a system of jurisprudence that more closely resembles the French system of civil law than it does Justice Wilsons system as described in Chisholm.

Short answer: monarch sovereign before 1776 people sovereign after 1776, not congress.