Resolutions of the
Stamp Act Congress, 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 enjoyments 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.
|