Resolutions of the Stamp
Act Congress
Year: october 19, 1765
American State Papers
Kolbe Library
Kolbe Home 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.
October 19, 1765
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