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Resolutions
of the Stamp Act
17 October 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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That
the people of these colonies are not, and from their local
circumstances cannot be, represented in the House of Commons in
Great-Britain.
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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.
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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.
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That
trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable right of every British
subject in these colonies.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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