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Resoutions of the Stamp Act Congress
October 19, 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- That the people
of these colonies are not, and from their local circumstances cannot
be, represented in the House of Commons in Great-Britain.
- 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.
- 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.
- That trial by jury
is the inherent and invaluable right of every British subject in these
colonies.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
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