Stamp Act

On March 22, 1765, the british parliament passed the stamp act to help pay for british troops stationed in the colonies during the seven years’ war. It required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various papers, documents, and playing cards. It was a direct tax imposed by the british government without the approval of the colonial legislatures and was payable in hard-to-obtain British sterling, rather than colonial currency. Further, those accused of violating the Stamp Act could be prosecuted in Vice-Admiralty Courts, which had no juries and could be held anywhere in the British Empire.

Adverse colonial reaction to the Stamp Act ranged from boycotts of British goods to riots and attacks on the tax collectors. In this letter,

They have even proceeded to some violence, and burnt him in effigy.” Despite the evidence of hostility in the colonies to the south, Hinshelwood was hoping to be appointed a tax collector in Halifax. Although the Stamp Act occurred eleven years before the Declaration of Independence, it defined the central issue that provoked the American Revolution: no taxation without representation.

The year is 1765 November, 12th, there is a group of 6 colonists meeting in an office to discuss the stamp act. It is the first time the colonists discuss the act. 4 are patriots and the other 2 are loyalists, let’s listen in. “Welcome to the first meeting of the stamp act,” announced the first patriot, “we need to speak about the stamp act,” everyone agreed. “First off, who is in favor of the act?” asked the man. The two loyalists raised there hand. The four patriots glared at them. These two men seemed like all other loyalists, rich and high class men. They didn’t care about the people that couldn’t pay taxes. “Okay, anyways we are able to take care of ourselves and don’t need to be taxed,” said the first patriot. “Yes William, I agree,” said another patriot. Oh, his name is williams,