Stamp Act
Why the Protest?????
• First direct tax
• Raised money, not regulation of
commerce
• WITHOUT consent/representation
of colonists
Charles Townshend said, "...and now will
these Americans, children planted by our
care, nourished up by our Indulgence
until they are grown to a degree of
strength and opulence, and protected by
our arms, will they grudge to contribute
their mite to relieve us from heavy
weight of the burden which we lie
under?"
This led to Colonel Isaac Barre’s response:
They planted by your care? No! Your oppression planted ‘em in
America. They fled from your tyranny to a then uncultivated and
unhospitable country where they exposed themselves to almost all
the hardships to which human nature is liable, and among others to
the cruelties of a savage foe, the most subtle, and I take upon me
to say, the most formidable of any people upon the face of
God’s earth. …
They nourished by your indulgence? They grew by your neglect of ‘em. As soon as you
began to care about ‘em, that care was exercised in sending persons to rule over 'em, in
one department and another, who were perhaps the deputies of deputies to some
member of this house, sent to spy out their liberty, to misrepresent their actions and to
prey upon 'em; men whose behaviour on many occasions has caused the blood of those
sons of liberty to recoil within them … .
They protected by your arms? They have nobly taken up arms in your defence, have
exerted a valour amidst their constant and laborious industry for the defence of a country
whose frontier while drenched in blood, its interior parts have yielded all its little savings
to your emolument. …The people I believe are as truly loyal as any subjects the king has,
but a people jealous of their liberties and who will vindicate them if ever they should be
violated; but the subject is too delicate and I will say no more."
For if our Trade may be taxed why not our Lands? Why not
the Produce of our Lands & every thing we possess or make
use of? This we apprehend annihilates our Charter Right to
govern & tax ourselves – It strikes our British Privileges,
which as we have never forfeited them, we hold in common
with our Fellow Subjects who are Natives of Britain: If Taxes
are laid upon us in any shape without our having a legal
Representation where they are laid, are we not reduced from
the Character of free Subjects to the miserable State of
tributary Slaves.
Sam Adams
Committees of Correspondence (circular letters)
Virginia House of Burgesses Stamp Act Resolutions
Stamp Act Congress
Protests in the streets
Sons of Liberty
James Otis was most famously associated with the
phrase, "taxation without representation is tyranny."
Massachusetts Circular Letter to the Colonial
Legislatures; February 11, 1768
"Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his
Cromwell, and George III... (Henry was
interrupted by cries from the
opposition)… may profit by their
example. If this be treason, make the
most of it.“
Patrick Henry
Virginia House of Burgesses
May 29, 1765
Accepted and Approved Virginia Resolves
Resolved, That the first Adventurers and Settlers of this his majesty's colony and Dominion
of Virginia brought with them, and transmitted to their Posterity, and all other his Majesty's
subjects since inhabiting in this his Majesty's said Colony, all the Liberties, privileges,
Franchises, and Immunities that have at any Time been held, enjoyed, and possessed, by
the People of Great Britain.
Resolved, That by the two royal Charters, granted by King James the First, the Colonists
aforesaid are declared entitled to all Liberties, Privileges, and Immunities of Denizens and
natural Subjects, to all Intents and Purposes, as if they had been abiding and born within the
Realm of England.
Resolved, That the Taxation of the People by themselves, or by Persons chosen by
themselves to represent them, who could only know what Taxes the People are able to bear,
or the easiest method of raising them, and must themselves be affected by every Tax laid on
the People, is the only Security against a burdensome Taxation, and the distinguishing
characteristick of British Freedom, without which the ancient Constitution cannot exist.
Proof sheet of one-penny stamps submitted for approval to Commissioners of Stamps by
engraver. 10 May 1765.
Resolved, That his majesty's liege people of this his most ancient and loyal Colony have
without interruption enjoyed the inestimable Right of being governed by such Laws,
respecting their internal Polity and Taxation, as are derived from their own Consent, with the
Approbation of their Sovereign, or his Substitute; and that the same hath never been
forfeited or yielded up, but hath been constantly recognized by the King and People of Great
Britain.
Stamp Act Congress, Declaration of Rights
19 Oct. 1765
The members of this congress, sincerely devoted, with the warmest sentiments of affection and duty to his majesty's person and government,
inviolably attached to the present happy establishment of the protestant succession, and with minds deeply impressed by a sense of the present
and impending misfortunes of the British colonies on this continent; having considered as maturely as time would permit, the circumstances of
said colonies, esteem it our indispensable duty to make the following declarations of our humble opinions, respecting the most essential rights
and liberties of the colonists, and of the grievances under which they labor, by reason of several late acts of parliament.
1st. That his majesty's subjects in these colonies, owe the same allegiance to the crown of Great Britain, that is owing from his subjects born
within the realm, and all due subordination to that august body, the parliament of Great Britain.
2d. That his majesty's liege subjects in these colonies are entitled to all the inherent rights and privileges of his natural born subjects within the
kingdom of Great Britain,
3d. That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted rights of Englishmen, that no taxes should be imposed on
them, but with their own consent, given personally, or by their representatives.
4th. That the people of these colonies are not, and from their local circumstances, cannot be represented in the house of commons in Great
Britain.
5th. That the only representatives of the people of these colonies, are persons chosen therein by themselves; and that no taxes ever have been,
or can be constitutionally imposed on them, but by their respective legislatures.
6th. That all supplies to the crown, being free gifts of the people, it is unreasonable and inconsistent with the principles and spirit of the British
constitution, for the people of Great Britain to grant to his majesty the property of the colonists.
7th. That trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable right of every British subject in these colonies.
8th. That the late act of parliament entitled, an act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties in the British colonies and
plantations in America, &c., by imposing taxes on the inhabitants of these colonies, and the said act, and several other acts, by extending the
jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty beyond its ancient limits, have a manifest tendency to subvert the rights and liberties of the colonists.
9th. That the duties imposed by several late acts of parliament, from the peculiar circumstances of these colonies, will be extremely burthensome
and grievous, and from the scarcity of specie, the payment of them absolutely impracticable.
10th. That as the profits of the trade of these colonies ultimately centre in Great Britain, to pay for the manufactures which they are obliged to
take from thence, they eventually contribute very largely to all supplies granted there to the crown.
11th. That the restrictions imposed by several late acts of parliament, on the trade of these colonies, will render them unable to purchase the
manufactures of Great Britain.
12th. That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of these colonies, depend on the full and free enjoyment of their rights and liberties, and an
intercourse, with Great Britain, mutually affectionate and advantageous.
13th. That it is the right of the British subjects in these colonies, to petition the king or either house of parliament.
Lastly, That it is the indispensable duty of these colonies to the best of sovereigns, to the mother country, and to themselves, to endeavor, by a
loyal and dutiful address to his majesty, and humble application to both houses of parliament, to procure the repeal of the act for granting and
applying certain stamp duties, of all clauses of any other acts of parliament, whereby the jurisdiction of the admiralty is extended as aforesaid,
and of the other late acts for the restriction of the American commerce.
Benjamin Franklin wrote as far back as 1754 at the Albany Congress, "That it is
suppos’d an undoubted Right of Englishmen not to be taxed but by their own
Consent given thro’ their Representatives. That the Colonies have no
Representatives in Parliament."
Virtual Representation
"taxation without representation is tyranny.“
James Otis
John Adams said of Otis, "I have been young and now I am old, and I solemnly
say I have never known a man whose love of country was more ardent or sincere,
never one who suffered so much, never one whose service for any 10 years of his
life were so important and essential to the cause of his country as those of Mr.
Otis from 1760 to 1770." Adams then said that "independence was then and there
born, every man of a crowded audience appeared to me to go away as I did, ready
to take arms against writs of assistance."
"My dear sister, I hope, when God Almighty in
his righteous providence shall take me out of
time into eternity that it will be by a flash of
lightning."
The Repeal, or the Funeral of Miss AmeStamp, 1766. Engraving.
Prints and Photographs Division,
Library of Congress (9) [Digital ID#
ppmsca-15709]
Artist: Anonymous
• The child's coffin is marked "Miss AmeStamp born 1765, died 1766."
• The British Prime Minister George
Grenville is carrying the coffin.
• Warehouses are along the Thames River,
empty for lack of trade with the American
Colonies.
Stamp Act Repeal, 1766
WHEREAS an act was passed in the last session of parliament,
intituled, An act for granting and applying certain stamp duties,
and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in
America, towards further defraying the expences of defending,
protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such
parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade and
revenues of the said colonies and plantations, as direct the
manner of determining and recovering the penalties and
forfeitures therein mentioned: and whereas the continuance of
the said act would be attended with many inconveniences, and
may be productive of consequences greatly detrimental to the
commercial interests of these kingdoms; may it therefore
please your most excellent Majesty, that it may be enacted; and
be it enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with
the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and
commons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the
authority of the same, that from and after the first day of May,
one thousand seven hundred and sixty six, the abovementioned act, and the several matters and things therein
contained, shall be, and is and are hereby repealed and made
void to all intents and purposes whatsoever.
Your Choice Act Repeal, 2014
WHEREAS an act was passed in the last session of parliament,
intituled, An act for granting and applying certain duties in the
colonies, towards further defraying the expences of my made
up world; and for amending such parts of the several acts of
parliament relating to the already established rules of the said
colonies, as direct the manner of determining and recovering
the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned: and whereas
the continuance of the said act would be attended with many
inconveniences, and may be productive of consequences
greatly detrimental to the interests of these kingdoms; may it
therefore please your most excellent Majesty, that it may be
enacted; and be it enacted by the King's most excellent
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords
spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament
assembled, and by the authority of the same, that from and
after today, two thousand and ten, the above-chosen act, and
the several matters and things therein contained, shall be, and
is and are hereby repealed and made void to all intents and
purposes whatsoever.
THE DECLARATORY ACT
MARCH 18, 1766
It became apparent that to attempt to enforce the Stamp Act would be politically dangerous, both in Britain and in the colonies.
On the same day that the House of Commons repealed the stamp duties it adopted the Declaratory Act, without a division -- i.e.,
without a recorded vote
_____________________________________
AN ACT FOR THE BETTER SECURING THE DEPENDENCY OF HIS MAJESTY'S DOMINIONS
IN AMERICA UPON THE CROWN AND PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN
Whereas several of the houses of representatives in His Majesty's colonies and plantations in
America have of late, against law, claimed to themselves, or to the general assemblies of the same,
the sole and exclusive right of imposing duties and taxes upon His Majesty's subjects in the said
colonies and plantations; and have, in pursuance of such claim, passed certain votes, resolutions,
and orders derogatory to the legislative authority of Parliament, and inconsistent with the
dependency of the said colonies and plantations upon the crown of Great Britain: may it therefore
please Your Most Excellent Majesty that it may be declared, and be it declared by the king's Most
Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and
Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the said
colonies and plantations in America have been, are, and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and
dependent upon the imperial crown and Parliament of Great Britain; and that the king's Majesty, by
and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, of Great
Britain, in Parliament assembled, had, hath, and of right ought to have, full power and authority to
make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America,
subjects of the crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatsoever.
II. And be it further declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all resolutions, votes,
orders, and proceedings, in any of the said colonies or plantations, whereby the power and
authority of the Parliament of Great Britain to make laws and statutes as aforesaid is denied, or
drawn into question, are, and are hereby declared to be, utterly null and void to all intents and
purposes whatsoever.
THE DECLARATORY ACT
OCTOBER, 2013
________________________________________
AN ACT FOR THE BETTER SECURING THE DEPENDENCY OF HIS MAJESTY'S DOMINIONS
IN LOUGHRAN LAND UPON THE CROWN AND PARLIAMENT
Whereas several of the houses of representatives in His Majesty's colonies and plantations in
Loughran Land have of late, against law, claimed to themselves, or to the general assemblies of the
same, the sole and exclusive right of imposing duties and taxes upon His Majesty's subjects in the
said colonies and plantations; and have, in pursuance of such claim, passed certain votes,
resolutions, and orders derogatory to the legislative authority of Parliament, and inconsistent with
the dependency of the said colonies and plantations upon the crown: may it therefore please Your
Most Excellent Majesty that it may be declared, and be it declared by the king's Most Excellent
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in
this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the said colonies and
plantations in Loughran Land have been, are, and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and
dependent upon the imperial crown and Parliament; and that the king's Majesty, by and with the
advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled,
had, hath, and of right ought to have, full power and authority to make laws and statutes of
sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of Loughran Land, subjects of the
crown, in all cases whatsoever.
II. And be it further declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all resolutions, votes,
orders, and proceedings, in any of the said colonies or plantations, whereby the power and
authority of the Parliament of Loughran Land, to make laws and statutes as aforesaid is denied, or
drawn into question, are, and are hereby declared to be, utterly null and void to all intents and
purposes whatsoever.
The cartoon shows warehouses along the Thames,
empty for lack of trade with the American Colonies,
and three ships in the harbor representing the
Rockingham Ministry, with Lord Conway and Lord
Grafton, the Secretaries of State, on either side of
Rockingham. "George Stamp", in the foreground
holding the coffin, represents Prime Minister George
Grenville, ardent supporter of the Stamp Act; and in
the right corner of the cartoon, directly behind the bale
of stamps, is a crate containing a statue of William
Pitt, Grenville's archenemy in the Stamp Act
controversy. Behind "George Stamp" are two figures
which appeared in the "The Tombstone" of 1765, Lord
Bute and "His Grace of Spital Fields", a figure
portrayed in both cartoons with weavers ' petition in
his pocket.
• One of the most famous and popular of the political satires
commenting on the Stamp Act, this print actually celebrates the end
of the tax. An instant success, the print became one of the most
copied satirical prints of the period.
• The print depicts a funeral procession composed of supporters of
the act carrying a small coffin containing the remains of the bill
toward an open vault. The vault has been prepared for the burial of
all unjust acts that would alienate Englishmen. Leading the
procession and preparing to deliver the funeral eulogy is the
Reverend W. Scott, who is followed by the mourners: Grenville
(carrying the coffin), Bute, Bedford, and Temple, some of the same
Englishmen who were responsible for passing the act.
• By setting the action on a dock, Wilson is able to show the large
unshipped cargoes destined for America that accumulated during
the period when the act was in force. Ships labeled "Conway,"
"Rockingham," and "Grafton" that represent the Parliamentary
leaders responsible for the repeal of the bill now stand ready to carry
the goods to America. Stamps just returned from America are also
stacked on the wharf.
•
Text from left side to right:
[Above the vault]Within this Family Vault, Lie Interred, it is to be hoped never to rise again, The Star Chamber
Court Ship Money Excise Money & all Imposts without Parliament. The Act de Haeritico Comburendo Hearth
Mon Gener Warrants And which tended to alienate the Affections of Englishmen to their Country.
Over the Vault are placed two Skeleton Heads. Their elevation on Poles, and the dates of the two Rebellion
Years, sufficiently shew what Party they espoused, and in what cause they suffered an ignominious Exit.
The reverend Mr.Anti-Sejanus (who under that signature hackney'd his pen in support of the Stamps) leads
the procession as officiating Priest, with the burial service and funeral sermon in his hands.
Next follow two eminent Pillars of the Law, supporting two black flags, on which are delineated the Stamps
with the White Rose and Thistle interwoved, an expressive design, supposed to have been originally
contrived on the 10 of June. The significative motto Semper Eadem is preserved, but the Price of the Stamp
is changed to three farthings, an important sum taken from the Budget. The numbers 122 and 71 declare the
minority which fought under these Banners.
Next appears the honourable Mr. George Stamp, full of Grief and dispair, carrying his favourite Childs Coffin,
Miss Americ Stamp, who was born in 1763 and died hard in 1766.
Immediately after, follows the chief Mourner Sejanus.
Then his Grace of Spital Fields, and Lord Gawkee.
After these Jemmy Twitcher, with a Catch, by way of funeral anthem, & by his side his friend and partner Mr.
Falconer Donaldson of Halifax.
The rear is brought up by two right reverend Fathers of the Church.
These few mourners are seperated from the joyful scene which appears on the River Thames, where three
first rate ships are riding. VIZ. the Conway, Rockingham, and Grafton. Along the opposite Shore, stand open
Warehouses, for the several goods of different manufactoring towns from which Cargoes are now shipping for
America. Among these is a large Case containing the Statue of Mr. Pitt, which is heaving on board a Boat No.
250, there is another boat taking in goods nearer the first Rates, which is No. 105. These Numbers will ever
be held in esteem by the true SONS of LIBERTY.