Source: Stamp Act
Grievances
Saturday, Oct. 19th,
1765, A.M.-Then congress met and upon mature deliberation, agreed to the
following declarations of the rights and grievances of the colonists in
America, which were ordered to be inserted.
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 labor, by reason of several late acts of parliament.
Ist. 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.
2d. That
his majesty's liege subjects in these colonies are entitled to all the inherent
rights and privileges of his natural born subjects within the kingdom of Great
Britain.
3d. That
it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted
rights of Englishmen, that no taxes should be imposed on them, but with their
consent, given personally, or by their representatives.
4th. That
the people of these colonies are not, and from their local circumstances,
cannot be represented in the house of commons in Great Britain.
5th. 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.
6th. 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.
7th. That
trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable right of every British subject in
these colonies.
8th. 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.
9th. 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.
10th. 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.
11th. 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.
12th. 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.
13th. 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 application 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 the American commerce.