Extract from an article published in the Boston Evening Post, 28 October 1765, criticising the introduction of the Stamp Act. Catalogue ref: CO 5/755 f.391
The Stamp Act, passed by the British Parliament in March 1765, stated that paper goods in the colonies must carry a royal stamp. Its purpose was to raise revenue to pay for the cost of defending the colonies in the Seven Years War against France, which had ended two years earlier. The colonists saw this as a tax that they had not consented to and was passed without consideration from their colonial assemblies. Therefore, in anticipation of the first stamps arriving in the colonies in November, the colonists rioted against the law.
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Let us also enquire Do not these measures tend to ruin the mutual affection and good harmony that has been between the inhabitants of Great Britain & America?
If they persist in it, they have a right to lay on Americans very unequal burthens, in point of trade; and also have a right to lay on Americans internal taxes (to ease themselves) in what manner and measures they please; and that they have a right to place over us, at our expence, and for us to support- as many placemen and taskmasters as they see fit, if there must be one rule of trial for them, and another kind of court and manner of trail for the [Americans] at the election of infamous informers
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if they must be absolute masters, and we wretched slaves, who may neither buy nor sell – nor have any legal securities or remedies, of defence of Life, Liberty, and Property, but upon their terms to be newly fixed for us as oft as they see fit.
- Look at this document. What arguments did the colonists use to criticise the Stamp Act?
- Why is the language concerning the rights of colonists significant?
- Why did the colonists see themselves as slaves?
- How does this differ from chattel slavery (enslavement and ownership of human beings as property)?
- Look at the document reference. ‘CO’ means Colonial Office. Why do you think this document is part of the Colonial Office collections at the National Archives?