00000583 |
Previous | 583 of 597 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
THE STAMP ACT IN OPERATION. 547
from the colonies before, and could but drive them to observe the strictest maxims of frugality, and to establish manufactures of leather, cotton, wcol and flax ; that they were not
consistent with charters, which were the original compacts between the first emigrants to
America and the crown; that they were against all precedents of the previous legislation
of the British parliament; that they were equally against the precedents of legislations
for Ireland, which was as subject to Great Britain as were the colonies; that they were
against the judgment of former British ministers, whose requisitions for revenue were
uniformly transmitted to the colonies to tax themselves." *
"There maybe a time," this patriotic statesman added, "when redress
may be obtained. Till then, I shall recommend a legal, orderly, and prudent
resentment to be expressed in a zealous and vigorous industry. A garment of
linsey-woolsey, when made the distinction of patriotism, is more honorable
than the plumes and the diadem of an emperor without it. Let the manufacture of America be the symbol of dignity and the body of virtue, and it
will soon break the fetters of distress."2
In the midst of the discussion, and on the day (Nov. 1st, 1765,) on which
the Stamp Act went into operation, the General Assembly met in Annapolis.
On the second day of the session the " committee of grievances and courts of
justice," composed of Walter Dulany, of Annapolis, John Hammond, of
Anne Arundel, William Murdock, of Prince George's, Colonel Edward
Tilghman, of Queen Anne's, Colonel Nicholas Hyland, of Cecil, and Fielder
Gantt, of Frederick, were instructed " to inspect the form of the oaths of
office, that have been, and now are usually taken by the several magistrates,
and if the following clause be not inserted in the said oath," it was declared
and resolved to be necessary: "To do equal law and right to all the king's
subjects, rich and poor; and not to delay any person of common right, for the
letters of the king, the Lord Proprietary, or of any other, or for any other
cause; but if any such letters come to them, they shall proceed to do the law,
the same letters notwithstanding." The House also unanimously resolved:
" That this province is not under the circumstances of a conquered country; that if it
were, the present Christian inhabitants thereof would be in the circumstances, not of the
conquered, but of the conquerors,it being a colony of the English nation, encouraged by
the crown to transplant themselves hither, for the sake of improving and enlarging its
dominions; which, by the blessing of God upon their endeavors, at their own expense
and labor, has been in a great measure obtained: And it is unanimously resolved, that
whoever shall advance, that his majesty's subjects, by such their endeavors and success,
have forfeited any part of their English liberties, are not well-wishers to the country, and
mistake its happy constitution.
" Resolved* also, That if there be any pretence of conquest, it can be only supposed
against the native Indian infidels; which supposition cannot be admitted, because the
Christain inhabitants purchased great part of the land they at first took up from the
Indians, as well as from the Lord Proprietary, and have ever since continued in an
amicable course of trade with them; except some partial outrages and skirmishes, which
never amounted to a general war, much less to a general conquest, the Indians yet enjoy-
1 Bancroft, vol. v., p. 326. 2 Dulany's pamphlet was published October
14, 1765.
| Title | History of Maryland - 1 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000583 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | THE STAMP ACT IN OPERATION. 547 from the colonies before, and could but drive them to observe the strictest maxims of frugality, and to establish manufactures of leather, cotton, wcol and flax ; that they were not consistent with charters, which were the original compacts between the first emigrants to America and the crown; that they were against all precedents of the previous legislation of the British parliament; that they were equally against the precedents of legislations for Ireland, which was as subject to Great Britain as were the colonies; that they were against the judgment of former British ministers, whose requisitions for revenue were uniformly transmitted to the colonies to tax themselves." * "There maybe a time," this patriotic statesman added, "when redress may be obtained. Till then, I shall recommend a legal, orderly, and prudent resentment to be expressed in a zealous and vigorous industry. A garment of linsey-woolsey, when made the distinction of patriotism, is more honorable than the plumes and the diadem of an emperor without it. Let the manufacture of America be the symbol of dignity and the body of virtue, and it will soon break the fetters of distress."2 In the midst of the discussion, and on the day (Nov. 1st, 1765,) on which the Stamp Act went into operation, the General Assembly met in Annapolis. On the second day of the session the " committee of grievances and courts of justice," composed of Walter Dulany, of Annapolis, John Hammond, of Anne Arundel, William Murdock, of Prince George's, Colonel Edward Tilghman, of Queen Anne's, Colonel Nicholas Hyland, of Cecil, and Fielder Gantt, of Frederick, were instructed " to inspect the form of the oaths of office, that have been, and now are usually taken by the several magistrates, and if the following clause be not inserted in the said oath," it was declared and resolved to be necessary: "To do equal law and right to all the king's subjects, rich and poor; and not to delay any person of common right, for the letters of the king, the Lord Proprietary, or of any other, or for any other cause; but if any such letters come to them, they shall proceed to do the law, the same letters notwithstanding." The House also unanimously resolved: " That this province is not under the circumstances of a conquered country; that if it were, the present Christian inhabitants thereof would be in the circumstances, not of the conquered, but of the conquerors,it being a colony of the English nation, encouraged by the crown to transplant themselves hither, for the sake of improving and enlarging its dominions; which, by the blessing of God upon their endeavors, at their own expense and labor, has been in a great measure obtained: And it is unanimously resolved, that whoever shall advance, that his majesty's subjects, by such their endeavors and success, have forfeited any part of their English liberties, are not well-wishers to the country, and mistake its happy constitution. " Resolved* also, That if there be any pretence of conquest, it can be only supposed against the native Indian infidels; which supposition cannot be admitted, because the Christain inhabitants purchased great part of the land they at first took up from the Indians, as well as from the Lord Proprietary, and have ever since continued in an amicable course of trade with them; except some partial outrages and skirmishes, which never amounted to a general war, much less to a general conquest, the Indians yet enjoy- 1 Bancroft, vol. v., p. 326. 2 Dulany's pamphlet was published October 14, 1765. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| G |
|
| H |
|
| M |
|
| T |
|
| U |
|
| Y |
|
|
|
