Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress (1765)
In response to the Stamp Act, issued by Parliament
in March of 1765, waves of protest swept the British colonies, involving
everyone from street mobs to civic leaders, often organized by secret
organizations called the Sons of Liberty. In October, a Stamp Act Congress held
in New York City (representing nine colonies) petitioned Parliament for repeal.
What are the main arguments made by the Stamp Act Congress? How do the colonies
perceive their relationship with Great Britain? What is the tone of the
document?
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 will
permit the circumstances of the said colonies, esteem it our indispensable duty
to make the following declarations of our humble opinion respecting the most
essential rights and liberties of the colonists, and the grievances under which
they labour, by reason of several late Acts Parliament.
I. That His MajestyÕs
subjects in theses 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.
II. That His
MajestyÕs liege subjects in these colonies are intitled to all the inherent
rights and liberties of his natural born subjects within the kingdom of Great
Britain.
III. That it is
inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of
Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent,
given personally or by their representatives.
IV. That the
people of these colonies are not, and from their local circumstances cannot be,
represented in the House of Commons in Great Britain.
VIII. 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, etc., 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...
XIII. 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 applications 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 American commerce.