British Columbia Stamp Act

1765 Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress October 2, 1765

Date: 1765

Source: John Almon's Collection of Interesting, Authentic Papers relative to the Dispute between Great Britain and America (London, 1777), p. 27.

The Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress were a series of resolutions adopted by colonial representatives at a meeting held in New York City on October 2, 1765, in response to the Stamp Act, a new tax imposed by the British government on the American colonies. The declarations asserted that the colonists had the same rights and liberties as British citizens, and argued that the British government had no right to tax the colonies without their consent. The declarations also called for the repeal of the Stamp Act and for a greater degree of colonial self-government. The Stamp Act Congress was significant because it represented one of the first concerted efforts by the American colonies to assert their rights and to resist British authority. The congress was attended by representatives from nine of the thirteen colonies, and helped to build a sense of unity and solidarity among the colonists. The Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress were also significant because they helped to lay the groundwork for future efforts to resist British authority and to assert American sovereignty. The principles outlined in the declarations, including the idea that the colonists had the same rights and liberties as British citizens, would be echoed in later documents such as the Declaration of Independence. Overall, the Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress were an important step in the development of American resistance to British authority, and helped to establish a precedent for the struggle for American independence that would unfold over the next decade.

Declarations

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 of the grievances under which they labour, by reason of several late Acts of Parliament.

I. 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.

II. That His Majesty's liege subjects in these colonies are entitled 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 of 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.

V. 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.

VI. 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.

VII. That trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable right of every British subject in these colonies.

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.

IX. 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.

X. That as the profits of the trade of these colonies ultimately center 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.

XI. 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.

XII. That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of these colonies depend on the full and free enjoyments of their rights and liberties, and an intercourse with Great Britain mutually affectionate and advantageous.

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 indispensible duty of these colonies to the best of sovereigns, to the mother country, and to themselves, to endeavour 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.

Cite Article : www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents

Source: John Almon's Collection of Interesting, Authentic Papers relative to the Dispute between Great Britain and America (London, 1777), p. 27.

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1765 Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress October 2, 1765

1765 Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress October 2, 1765

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