fieldston american reader volume i – fall 2007 - Ethical Culture ...

Daniel Dulany: “Considerations” (1765)... The notion of a virtual representation of the colonies mustfail, which, in Truth, is a mere cob-web, spread to catch theunwary, and tangle the weak...There is not that intimate and inseparable relation between thecolonies and Great Britain and the inhabitants of the colonies,which may inevitably involve both in the same taxation; onthe contrary, not a single actual elector in England, might beimmediately affected by taxation in America, imposed by astatute which would have a general effect on the propertiesand inhabitants of the colonies...It appears to me that there is a clear and necessary distinctionbetween an act imposing a tax for the simple purpose of revenue,and those acts which have been made for the regulation oftrade, and have produced some revenue in consequence of theireffect and operation as regulations of trade.The subordination of the colonies, and the authority ofParliament to preserve it, have been fully acknowledged. Notonly the welfare, but perhaps the existence of the mothercountry, as an independent kingdom, may depend on her tradeand navigation, and these so far upon her intercourse with hercolonies, that if this should be neglected, there would soon bean end to that commerce whence her greatest wealth is derived.From these considerations, the right of British Parliament toregulate the trade of the colonies may be justly deduced... It is acommon, and frequently the most popular method to regulatetrade by duties on imports and exports... The authority of themother country to regulate the trade of the colonies beingunquestionable, what regulations are the most proper, are tobe of course to the determination of Parliament...Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress(1765)In response to the Stamp Act, issued by Parliament in March of 1765,waves of protest swept the Britishcolonies, involving everyone from street mobs to civic leaders, oftenorganized by secret organizationscalled the Sons of Liberty. In October, a Stamp Act Congress held inNew York City (representing ninecolonies) petitioned Parliament for repeal. What are the mainarguments made by the Stamp ActCongress? How do the colonies perceive their relationship withGreat Britain? What is the tone of thedocument?THE members of this Congress, sincerely devoted with thewarmest sentiments of affection and duty toHis majesty’s person and Government, inviolably attached tothe present happy establishment of theProtestant succession, and with minds deeply impressed by asense of the present and impendingmisfortunes of the British colonies on this continent; havingconsidered as maturely as time will permitthe circumstances of the said colonies, esteem it ourindispensable duty to make the followingdeclarations of our humble opinion respecting the mostessential rights and liberties of the colonists,and the grievances under which they labour, by reason ofseveral late Acts of Parliament.I. That His Majesty’s subjects in theses colonies owe thesame allegiance to the Crown of GreatBritain that is owing from his subjects born within the realm,and all due subordination to that august body the Parliamentof Great Britain.II. That His Majesty’s liege subjects in these colonies areinstilled to all the inherent rights andLiberties of his natural born subjects within thekingdom of Great Britain.III. That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of apeople, and the undoubted right ofEnglishmen, that no taxes are imposed on them butwith their own consent, given personally or by theirrepresentatives.IV. That the people of these colonies are not, and fromtheir local circumstances cannot be,represented in the House of Commons in GreatBritain.V. That the only representatives of the people of thesecolonies are persons chosen therein bythemselves, and that no taxes ever have been, or can be97