Declarations 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
would 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 hs 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 no taxes should 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 legislature.
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 an 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 burdensome 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 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.
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
enjoyment 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
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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