“Extraordinary & Universal Commotions”:
Charleston Reacts to the Stamp Act
History Educators Forum
The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies
South Carolina Archives & History
October 24, 2008
by Timothy E. Hicks
The Learning Collaborative
Dent Middle School
Richland School District Two
thicks@dm.richland2.org
The Stamp Act Controversy
Reasons for the Stamp Act
French and Indian War
Native American Problems
Stamp Act of 1765
George Grenville
British Justification for Taxation
Virtual Representation
The Colonial Reaction
The Economic Backlash: The Nonimportation Agreements
The Diplomatic Response: The Stamp Act Congress
John Rutledge
Christopher Gadsden
Thomas Lynch
The Vigilante Answer: SC's Mob Reaction to News of the Stamp Act
Lt. Gov. William Bull
Caleb Lloyd
Henry Laurens
George Saxby
Charleston’s Port and Courts Grind to a Halt
Commons House of Assembly’s Response
Reopening the Port
Chief Justice Charles Shinner
Stamp Act Repealed
Nonimportation Agreement
Declaratory Act
Celebration in Charleston
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[The Stamps Have Arrived!]
th
Friday, the 18 instant, late in the evening, arrived and came to anchor, under the cannon of
Fort Johnson, the ship Planter’s Adventure, Captain Miles Lawley, from London. It having
been sometime, before reported that a Distributor of Stamps for this Province was coming
over in this ship, and it being suspected, from the circumstances of its not coming up to
town that night, that there was on board either a stamp officer, stamps or stamp paper.
Early on Saturday morning (Oct. 19th), in the middle of Broad street and Church street, near
Mr. Dillon’s (being the most central public part of the town), appeared suspended on a
gallows twenty feet high, an effigy designed to represent a distributor of stamp paper, with
a figure of the devil on its right hand, on his left a boat, with a head stuck upon it,
distinguished by a blue bonnet; to each of which were affixed labels expressive of the sense
of a people unshaken in their loyalty, but tenacious of just liberty, who had conceived ”that
all internal duties imposed upon them without the consent of their immediate or even virtual
representatives, was grievious, oppressive and unconstitutional; and that an extention of the
powers and jurisdiction of admiralty courts in America would subvert one of their most
darling legal rights and privileges, that of trial by juries.” –On the gallows, in very
conspicuous characters, was written “LIBERTY and no STAMP-ACT,” and on the back of the
principal figure these words, viz: “Whoever shall dare attempt to pull down these effigies,
had better been born with a mill-stone about his neck and cast into the sea.”---- In this
situation the effigies continued the whole day without one person offering to disturb or
take them down, the court of general sessions of the peace, oyer and terminer, assize and
general jail delivery, sitting all the while; or was there the least riot or disturbance, though
a great concourse of people incessantly resorted to the place of exhibition.---In the evening
the figures were taken down and received in a cart or wagon, drawn by eight or ten horses,
when a procession commenced down Broad Street to the Bay, attended at least by 2000
souls, continuing from then to the Exchange, and up Tradd street, halting at the door of a
house belonging to George Saxby, Esq., (the then supposed distributor of stamps) occupied
by Capt. William Coats. Some small injuries to the windows of which it was impossible to
prevent from so great a number (whom it required great prudence and no less exertion of
influence in many to restrain from leveling it to the ground), not owing however, to any
personal dislike to Mr. Saxby, but their detestation of the office; and even these might
have been prevented, had there been no backwardness shown in opening the doors, and an
answer as readily given as was expected to the question “whether there was any stamp
papers in the house?” Upon the doors being at length opened, and no such papers found, the
cart and its contents proceeded to the Green, back of the brick Barracks, when the effigies
were committed to the flames, amidst the loud and repeated shouts of an encreasing
multitude. – The bells of St. Michael’s rang muffled all day; during the procession there a
most solemn knell for the burial of a coffin on which was inscribed “AMERICAN LIBERTY.” ---No outrages whatever were committed during the whole procession, except the trifling
damage done to Mr. Saxby’s house, whose furniture ’twas said, had been mostly removed
into the country ten days before. But after the procession and funeral, diligent search was
made for another gentleman, upon a report prevailing in the evening that HE was appointed
DISTRIBUTOR of the stamps, and not Mr. Saxby, in order to be informed “whether HE
intended to execute the act.”
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This gentleman not being found that night, had like to have produced some commotion, but
the next day being (Sunday) a solemn declaration, signed by him, was stuck up at the
Exchange, importing “that he neither had received a commission, knew of his appointment,
or that the stamps were consigned to him,” which in some measure appeased the people.
Monday (Octob 21st) the following proclamation was published in open court, and in the usual
manner about the town,
SOUTH-CAROLINA.
By the Honourable WILLIAM BULL, Esq., Lieutenant Governor, and Commander in Chief in
and over his Majesty’s said Province, and Vice Admiral of the same.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS a number of persons unknown, did, on Saturday night last assemble together, and
in a riotous and tumultuous manner, enter the house of William Coats, and did there commit
several outrages and acts of violence: I have therefore thought fit, with the advice of his
Majesty’s Council, to issue this my PROCLAMATION, hereby offering a reward of FIFTY
POUNDS sterling, to any person who shall discover the person or persons concerned in the
same, and also his Majesty’s most gracious pardon to the discoverer, if an accomplice; the
reward to be paid upon conviction of the offender. AND, I do hereby command all Judges,
Justices, and other Peace Officers, to use their utmost endeavours to preserve the public
peace, and all his Majesty’s liege subjects to be aiding and assisting to them therein.
Given under my Hand, and the Great Seal of the said Province, at CHARLES-TOWN, the
Twenty first Day of OCTOBER, in the fifth Year of his Majesty’s reign, Anno Domini 1765.
WILLIAM BULL
By His Honour’s Command,
Thomas Skattowe, Secretary.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
From this time everything remained perfectly quiet, except that written advertisements
were daily stuck up in public places, declaring of, and exhortive to, firmness in support of
natural rights and opposition to oppressive and unconstitutional burthens, the stampt papers
being then supposed to be lodged in Fort Johnson.
WEDNESDAY, October 23d. – His Majesty’s ketch, the Speedwell, commanded by Captain
Faushawe, came down from Hobcaw, immediately proceeded to Fort Johnson and anchored
close thereto; the garrison of which had been augmented. The same evening it was reported
that the stampt papers had been brought up to town, unobserved, and lodged in the house
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of a gentleman at Ansonborough, upon which a number of people went thither, to be
satisfied of the truth of the report; but finding none, they returned quietly without
offering the least insult to any person whatever.
THURSDAY, October 24th. – By order of his Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, an
advertisement was stuck up at the Watch House, signed by the Clerk of the Council, giving
notice “that the stamps lately arrived were lodged in Fort Johnson, till it should be
necessary for his Majesty’s service to remove them from thence,” which had this good
effect, that it prevented troublesome visits and inquiries to other gentlemen, who might
have been suspected of receiving the stamps into their charge.
FRIDAY EVENING, October 25th. – Arrived the Carolina Packet, Captain Robson, from
London, upon which there was some slight appearance of a tumult, but it subsided as soon as
it was shown that no stamp officer was on board, and that Mr. Saxby had taken his passage,
and was on board the Heart of Oak, Captain Gunn.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, October 26th. – The Heart of Oak, also arrived Mr. Saxby, and
upon having information of what had passed here, instead of coming up to town in the ship,
went ashore at Fort Johnson, and it being then certainly known that Mr. Caleb Lloyd was
actually to be distributor of the stamps for the Province, numbers of people again
assembled, and seemed very uneasy; but Mr. Saxby, being made acquainted, at the Fort, of
the commotions which had arisen throughout America on account of the Stamp Act, and
that it was as little relished here as elsewhere, he expressed great concern that his
acceptance of an office under it (that of inspector of the duties) had proved so odious and
disagreeable to the people, and in order to restore the public peace (which there was too
much reason otherwise to fear might be disturbed) made a voluntary offer to suspend the
execution of his office (which was all that seemed to be desired) till the determination of
the King and Parliament of Great Britain should be known, upon an united application to be
made from his Majesty’s Colonies for a repeal of an Act that had created so much
confusion. Mr. Lloyd, who was then also at Fort Johnson, made a like voluntary declaration in
regard to his office of distributor; and
SUNDAY EVENING, October 28th. – St. Michael’s bells were again rung, the vessels in the
harbour displayed their colours, and some gentlemen, friends to the two officers, went from
town to Fort Johnson to bring them up under their protection. At noon they came ashore at
Mr. Motte’s wharf from a boat, in the head of which was hoisted an Union flag, with the
word Liberty in the centre and a laurel branch on the top of the staff. Upon their landing a
lane was instantly formed amidst the greatest concourse of people that ever were
assembled here upon any occasion (being supposed upwards of eleven thousand souls), and a
new declaration was publicly read, under the hands and seals of the two gentlemen, of which
the following copy has been given us, viz:
SOUTH CAROLINA:
WE, George Saxby, appointed Inspector, and Caleb Lloyd, Distributor, of stamps and
stampt papers, under the Stamp Act, for the Province aforesaid, do solemnly declare and
protest before God (and may he help us) that neither of us will, directly or indirectly, by
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deputy or otherwise, take upon us, or either of us, to execute or cause to be executed the
office of Distributor of the stamps or stampt papers in the said Province, or anything
incident or relating thereto, until a united application has been received in Great Britain
from his Majesty’s colonies in America, and until it shall be known whether the Parliament
will determine either to enforce or repeal it. All this we declare without evasion or
equivocation, and desire it may be made public.
Witness our hands and seals at Fort Johnson, in South Carolina, this 28th day of
October, 1765.
GEORGE SAXBY.
[L. S.]
CALEB LLOYD
[L. S.]
This was no sooner read than followed by the most hearty shouts of approbation. Then Mr.
Saxby and Mr. Lloyd verbally assured the people that the declaration then read was their
free and voluntary act, and it was their intention strictly to adhere to the intent and
meaning of it. Whereupon the air rang with the musick of bells, drums, hautboys, violins,
huzzas, firing of cannon, etc., etc., and the flag before mentioned being carried before
them, the musick continuing, they were conducted to Mr. Dillon’s tavern, and after taking
some refreshment there, to their own houses, and all was peace and good order; and at
night the streets were patrolled, to see that no sort injury or insult should be offered to
the persons or property of the gentlemen who had suspended the execution of their
offices; but the satisfaction of the public was so universal, and compleat, that no such thing
seemed even to be thought of, and the town has ever since been remarkably composed. The
damage done to Mr. Saxby’s windows (not amounting to five pounds sterling) and whatever
loss has been sustained, if any, we are told is, or will be, made good.
And thus happily ended an affair from which the most terrible consequences were
apprehended; the people relying upon the wisdom and justice of the Parliament in receiving
and hearing their humble remonstrances, representations or petitions, and granting such
relief as may be prayed for.
Upwards of twenty vessels are clearing out in ballast, several of them for Georgia, upon the
supposition of a few that the stamps will go down there; but many are of the opinion the
people of that infant colony will show as great a dislike to it as any others.
To-morrow (being the first of November) most of the business in public offices will cease;
and from this day the publication of the South Carolina Gazette will also be suspended, it
being impossible to continue it without great loss to the printer, when the numerous
subscribers thereto have signified, almost to a man, that they will not take in one stamped
newspaper, if stamps could be obtained.
From the South Carolina Gazette, October 19-31, 1765. The Charleston Year Book, 1885, on pp. 331-337
contains a copy of the article and was used to decipher some of the more illegible sections of the text
and used as a transcript for the last half of the article. It is available at the South Caroliniana Library.
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William Bull to Board of Trade, November 3, 1765
Lieutenant Governor William Bull was acting governor during the Stamp Act controversy and
the following document is his report to his superiors in London on South Carolina’s reaction
to the arrival of the stamps. B.P.R.O.
South Carolina
B.T.
Vol. 21 N. 12.
My Lords,
I think it my duty to acquaint your Lordships with some very extraordinary &
universal commotions which have happened in this Town upon the arrival of the
Stamp Papers. . . .
Upon the arrival of the Stamp Papers on the 20th ult. a great concourse of
men assembled. Application was thereupon made to me for protection of the Papers
as the intentions of the populace were too well known to be doubted. I thought it
my duty to secure them from destruction or even insult & therefore requested
Captn Fanshawe of His Majesty’s sloop Speedwell to . . . send his boats armed to
take the Packages of Stamp Papers out of the ship which brought them before
night at which time the populace vowed to execute their design; this he readily
complied with, & I sent the Papers down to Fort Johnson, & lest their madness
should attempt to carry their scheme into execution, I reinforced the Garrison
with a detachment of a serjeant & 12 Royal Americans who happened to be in
Town . . . These measures happily prevented their making any attempt on the
Papers. Their fury was then directed towards striking a terror into the Stamp
Officers if they persisted to perform their duty; which was done by night in great
numbers battering the house of Mr. Saxby, who was suspected to be arrived, tho’
he then was not, and hunting after Mr. Caleb Lloyd, searching his lodgings, who
prudently had withdrawn himself.
. . . On the Monday being informed what had happened on Saturday & Sunday
nights [see the preceding article from the SC Gazette] I published a Proclamation
offering a Reward from my own pocket of 50 lbs sterling to any person who would
discover the author of the outrage and a pardon to any informer who was an
accomplice, & commanded all Judges & ca to do their duty in preserving the Public
Peace, but all this produced not the desired effect and some insults having been
committed on several persons houses under pretext of searching for Stamp Papers,
I ordered an advertisement to be published that they were by my order lodged in
Fort Johnson. The commotion upon this in some measure subsided till the arrival of
Mr. Saxby from London on the 27th when every thing was again set in motion by a
very great concourse of people threatning every thing against the persons &
effects of Mr. Saxby & Mr. Lloyd to deter them or any other person from doing
their duty under that Act; Mr. Saxby having been apprized of these dispositions by
his friends on the first arrival of the ship prudently declined coming up to Town but
went on shore at Fort Johnson whither Mr. Lloyd had also retired for his safety,
which was all the protection my power could afford them. The commotions still
continued . . . till on Monday these two officers [Saxby and Lloyd] prevailed upon by
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the importunate request of their friends consented to decline acting [selling the
stamps and enforcing the Stamp Act] until the sense of the Parliament of Great
Britain should be known upon the joint Petition of the Colonies which is now on the
anvil at New York [The Stamp Act Congress and its resolutions]. These two
Gentlemen wrote me a letter on the occasion, of their declining to act, a copy
whereof I have the honor to transmit to your Lordships. . . .
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect,
My Lords,
Your Lordships most obedient
& most humble Servant.
To the Right Honorable
The Lords Commissioners
for Trade & Plantations
From Sainsbury, W. Noel. “William Bull to Board of Trade,
Recd Febry 5
Read ----- 6 } 1766.
the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Glossary
November 3, 1765.” Records in the British Public
Record Office Relating to South Carolina, 1663-1782. XXX.
281-289. Transcripts can be found on microfilm in
(in order of appearance)
commotions – civil unrest among the population.
concourse – a meeting of people
intentions of the populace – what the population was planning to do
sloop – a ship with one mast
their madness should attempt to carry their scheme into execution – the crowd was so
angry about the stamps that they planned to seize and destroy them.
serjeant & 12 Royal Americans – a sergeant and twelve American soldiers loyal to the king
tho’ - though
prudently - wisely
pretext – an excuse that isn’t the real reason. In this case, Bull is saying that some people
used searching for the stamps as an excuse to insult others and vandalize.
subsided – grew less or died down
apprized – apprised
dispositions – the crowd’s angry mood
retired – withdrawn to
importunate – troublesome and persistent
sense - opinion
transmit - send
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Henry Laurens - Victim of the Mob
Henry Laurens was a prominent merchant in Charles Town. The following letter is the second
of two versions and was addressed to his friend Governor James Grant of East Florida and
for some reason is dated two days earlier than the first version.
. . . 26th October 1765.
. . . At Midnight of the said Wednesday (Wednesday Night, 23d October) I heard a
most violent thumping & confused Noise at my Western door & Chamber Window, &
soon distinguish’d the sounds of “Liberty, Liberty & Stamp’d Paper, open your doors
& let us search your House & Cellars.” I open’d the Window, saw a croud [crowd] of
Men chiefly in disguise & heard the Voices & thumpings of many more on the other
side, assured them that I had no Stamp’d Paper nor any connexion with stamps.
When I found that no fair words would pacify them I accused them with cruelty to
a poor Sick Woman far gone with Child & produced Mrs. Laurens shrieking &
wringing her hands adding that if there was any one Man amongst them who owed
me a spite & took this base method to avenge himself, & would turn out I had a
brace of Pistols at his service & would settle the dispute immediately [Laurens is
saying that if someone had some personal reason to attack him and was using
the mob to do so, he had some pistols and they could settle the matter man to
man with a duel] but that it was base in such a multitude to attack a single Man.
To this they replyed in general that they Loved & respected me, would not hurt me
nor my property but that they were sent even by some of my seemingly best
friends to search for Stamp’d Paper which they were certain was in my custody,
advised me to open the door to prevent worse consequences.
Conscious of my innocence, I was pausing whether to refuse every one of their
demands or barely to open the door, at which they still continued knocking as if
they would have beat down the house and let them proceed as their rage & madness
should impel them, but Mrs. Laurens’s condition, having fallen into strong hysterics,
prompted me to open the door which in two minutes more they would have beat
through.
A brace of Cutlasses across my breast was the salutation & “Lights, Lights, &
search,” was the Cry. I presently knew several of them under their thickest
disguise of Soot, Sailors habits, Crape Masks, slouch hats, etc. & to their great
surprize called no less than nine of them by name & fixed my eye so attentively
upon other faces as to discover at least the same number since.
They made a very superficial search indeed or rather no search at all in my House,
Counting House, Cellar, & Stable & I am convinced they were not sent to Search.
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After that farce was over they insisted upon my taking what they called “A Bible
Oath” that I knew not where the Stamp’d Paper was which I absolutely refused, not
failing to confirm my denials with Damns of equal weight with their own, a language
which I only had learn’d from them.
They threatned then to carry me away to some unknown place & punish me. I
replyed they might if they would, they had strength enough but I would be glad to
have it attempted by any Man alone either among them or of those who they said
had sent them.
When they found this attempt fruitless a softer Oath, as they thought, was
propounded. I must say “May God disinherit me from the Kingdom of Heaven” if I
knew were [where] the Stamped Papers were. This I likewise peremptorily refused
& added that I would not have one word extorted from my Mouth, that I had
voluntarily given my word & honour but would not suffer even that to pass my Lips
by compulsion. Further that If I had once accepted of a trust they might Stamp
me to Powder but should not make me betray it, that my sentiments of the Stamp
Act were well known. I had openly declared myself an Enemy to it & would give & do
a great deal to procure its annihilation but that I could not think they pursued a
right method to obtain a repeal, etc.; that they had assumed a wrong Motto, instead
of “Liberty,” they should write “Licentiousness” on their Banner, for they were now
trampling Liberty underfoot. Some times they applauded, some times cursed me at
length . . .
[They criticized Laurens for his friendship with Governor Grant of Florida who had
made enemies in the city in a previous incident that need not concern us here.
Laurens responds]
“But in one word for all Gentlemen, I am in your power, you are very strong & may if
you please Barbicue me. I can but die. But you nor all the Mobs in Carolina shall not
by any force or means whatsoever compel me to renounce friendships or to speak ill
of Men that I think well of or to say or do a mean thing.” This was their last effort
they praised me highly & insisted upon giving me three Cheers & then retired with
“God bless your honour,” good night Colonel, we hope the poor lady will do well, etc.
A Thousand other things you may believe were said & done in an hour & a quarter
the time of their visit, but the above is a fair abstract of all that is important.
Is it not amazing that such a number of Men many of them heated with Liquor & all
armed with Cutlasses & Clubbs did not do one penny damage to my Garden not even
to walk over a Bed & not 15/ damage to my Fence, Gates, or House? Mrs. Laurens
has been very ill indeed but I begin to have great hopes that she will go out her
expected time of four or five Weeks longer. [James was born on November 26 and
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died nearly ten years later in England] The party have gain’d a great Victory &
triumph to day over G. Saxby & Caleb Lloyd. You’ll hear a Million of reports. Don’t
believe all or rather believe none but what are authenticated. I pray God preserve
you from insurrections & from every Evil, & remain, etc.
The Mob consisted of about 60 or 80 nearly an equal number of Honest hearted
Jacks & Towns Men the former not knowing me & dreading no body were zealous to
execute the business upon which they were sent or pretendly sent . . . .
This letter has been revised with quotation marks, and occasionally long sentences or run-on sentences have been
divided and punctuated accordingly. I have also divided the text into separate segments to make it easier to read
rather than how it was originally paragraphed. You may see a transcript of the original version in ALS, Ballindalloch
Castle Muniments as referenced in Rogers, Jr., George C., ed. The Papers of Henry Laurens: September 1, 1765 –
July 31, 1768. Vol. 5. Columbia, SC: South Carolina Historical Society and University of South Carolina Press, 1976.
pp. 37-40. Available at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Glossary
(in order of appearance)
pacify – calm down
hysterics – crying uncontrollably
salutation - greeting
propounded – proposed or offered
peremptorily – putting an immediate end to a suggestion
extorted – forced by threats
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[The Stamp Act is Dead!]
CHARLES TOWN, JUNE 9, 1766 [Monday].
WEDNESDAY last [June 4] being the birth day of our most gracious and good Sovereign,
King GEORGE III now in the 29th year of his age, the same was observed here with all
possible demonstrations of affection, loyalty and joy, to the last of which the remarkable
incident of the repeal of the stamp-act arriving that very day, added not a little. The
morning was ushered in with ringing of bells, and general display of colours on all the
bastions and vessels. The Charles Town regiment of militia, commanded by the hon. Col.
Othniel Beale, the artillery company commanded by Capt. Christopher Gadsden, and a new
company, of light infantry, commanded by Capt. Thomas Savage, were all afterwards drawn
up in Broad Street, and reviewed by his honour the lieutenant governor, attended by his
council, the members of assembly and public officers, who was pleased to express great
satisfaction with the appearance and behaviour of the whole; and it must be particularly
observed, to the honour of Capt. Savage’s company, that they exceeded all expectation from
the short time they had been formed. At noon royal salutes were fired from the forts, &c.
And his honour gave a very elegant entertainment to the council , assembly, and public
officers, at Mr. Dillon’s, where many loyal and constitutional toasts were drank, amongst
which the best friends to Britain and America were not omitted. --- The artillery and light
infantry companies like-wise had an entertainment in honour of the day at Mr. Dillon’s. – At
night the illuminations were grand and general, but the weather proving bad, many curious
exhibitions were prevented.
The hon. the Commons House of Assembly of this province, have requested of Thomas
Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, and John Rutledge, Esqrs. that they will sit for their pictures;
which are to be drawn at full length, and preserved in the assembly room, as a testimony of
public regard for those gentlemen, and that the remembrance of the signal services they
have done their country, as a committee from this province at the congress held at New
York in October last, may be transmitted to and remembered by posterity; the expence
whereof is to be defrayed by the province.
They have likewise voted to make provision for procuring a STATUE of the right hon.
WILLIAM PITT, Esq., from England, to be erected in the State House, as a memorial of
their respect for him, for his upright and [word uncertain] conduct upon all occasions, and
particularly his assistance in procuring a repeal of the STAMP-ACT, equally beneficial to
Great Britain and her colonies.
The like compliment, we are informed, will be paid to his great Patriot throughout the
American colonies.
A letter from Charles Garth, Esq., Agent for this province in Great-Britain, to the
Committee of Correspondence, received last Wednesday, being laid before the Hon. the
Commons House of Assembly on Thursday; that house, on Friday unanimously resolved, upon
a motion, that a dutiful and loyal ADDRESS be prepared, to be presented to our most
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gracious Sovereign, upon the repeal of the Stamp Act; and accordingly appointed a
committee for that purpose. . . .
The principal inhabitants of Philadelphia, upon their day thankful rejoicing for the repeal of
the Stamp Act (May 19th) came unanimously to a resolution, to demonstrate their affection
and gratitude, by dressing themselves on the 4th of June, in a new suit of the manufactures
of England, and giving what homespun they had to the poor.
From the South Carolina Gazette,
June 2-9, 1766
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Making Primary Sources Student-Friendly
Challenges in Reading Primary Sources

Legibility issues

Unfamiliar words, phrases, and idioms

Advanced reading level

Require background knowledge to understand it

Length frustrates attention span
Guidelines in Making Primary Sources More Accessible to
Students

Introductory lecture or paragraph providing the necessary historical
background.

Typed transcript of the source – An initial struggle with handwriting or
printing will give your students a sense of what historians encounter in their
research, but there may come a time where you need them to focus on the
content and not the presentation of the source.

Reformat the source.
Underline/bold any unfamiliar words, phrases, abbreviations, idioms,
etc. and provide a definition/explanation in a glossary or footnote.
Break the text into manageable chunks using ellipses, spacing, topic
headings, and even comprehension questions. Just be sure that you make
it clear what parts are from the source and what additions are for aiding
comprehension. Bolding topic headings, explanations within [brackets],
and comprehension questions are several such methods.

Write a line by line version of the primary source in language more
accessible to your students. However, do not sell your students short.
Research and primary source analysis are not necessarily supposed to be
easy. I only make this recommendation because I have seen it in some of the
curriculum currently being published. You should only resort to providing this
reworded version as a last ditch effort. A better course of action would be
to find a more easily-comprehended document.
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Teaching Suggestions
Warm-up Activity
Have students go home and come up with a list of items containing print including
books, newspapers, magazines, CDs, DVDs, etc. This will give them a good idea on
how many items would have been taxed.
Using the Primary Sources
Give the students one of the primary sources (or the key part(s) of one) and have
them make it student-friendly. It will take some dictionaries, computers, close
supervision, and timely aid.
The students can draw a political cartoon or write a letter to the editor of the
South Carolina Gazette reacting to the Stamp Act and the events described in the
primary source packet (SC Gazette article, Henry Laurens’ letter, and William Bull’s
report).
The students can write an account of what happened from different characters’
perspectives:
Mrs. Henry Laurens
One of the Laurens’ slaves
A member of the “mob”
Caleb Lloyd or George Saxby
The students can write an article of the events surrounding the Stamp Act by
synthesizing the newspaper articles, Laurens’ letter, and William Bull’s report.
When news reached Charleston that the Stamp Act had been repealed, there were
many toasts offered in honor of the king. The students could write a toast to the
king that includes the major reasons they opposed the stamp tax and are overjoyed
it was repealed.
Class Discussion
Class discussion on whether the British should have the right to tax the colonies.
Close examination of the following websites would prepare students for such a
debate:
Wiersema, Garry. “Stamp Act Congress.” From Revolution to Reconstruction .
. . and What Happened Afterwards. 6 March 2003.
< http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1751-1775/stampact/sa.htm >
(26 January 2004).
Welling, George M. “Soame Jenyns, The Objections to the Taxation of our
American Colonies by the Legislature of Great Britain, briefly consider’d.” The
American Revolution.< http://www.ukans.edu/carrie/docs/texts/objectio.htm >
(26 January 2004).
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For Further Reading on the Stamp Act in South Carolina
Crouse, Maurice A. “Cautious Rebellion: South Carolina’s Opposition to the
Stamp Act.” South Carolina Historical Magazine 73 (1972): 59-71.
Weir, Robert M. “A Most Important Epocha” The Coming of the Revolution in
South Carolina. Tricentennial Booklet Number 5. Columbia: University
of South Carolina Press.
-------. Colonial South Carolina: A History. Columbia: University of
South Carolina Press, 1997.
Woody, Robert H. “Christopher Gadsden and the Stamp Act.” Proceedings of
the South Carolina Historical Association (1939): 3-12.
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