1764.
April 5.—“The Sugar Act” was passed in the English Parliament. This levied duties on coffee, pimento, French and East India goods, and forbade iron and lumber to be exported except to England. It was for the avowed purpose of raising a revenue, and raised instead a storm of indignation. The Massachusetts House of Representatives said: “If we are taxed and not represented, we are slaves.”
1765.
Feb. 27—Was passed the obnoxious Stamp Act. Also the military law was made to authorize the ministry to send any number of troops to the colonies, for whom the colonists were to find “quarters, fire-wood, bedding, drink, soap, and candles.”
May 29—Patrick Henry introduced five “Resolutions” into the Virginia House of Burgesses, claiming for Virginians the rights of British subjects; that only their own representatives could lawfully tax them; declaring the attempt to vest that power in any other hands subversive of both British and American liberty.
Sept. 1—The Pennsylvania Assembly passed similar resolutions.
Oct. 7—A congress of delegates, or committees, from nine colonies, met in New York. It was the first Continental Congress. Its spirit harmonized with that of Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, and its “Declaration of Rights and Grievances” was cordially approved by all the colonial assemblies.
1766.
Mar. 29—The Stamp Act could not be enforced in America, and it was repealed by Parliament; but the repeal was followed by another act asserting the power and right of Parliament “to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever.” Thus yielding the thing and asserting the principle, they both strengthened the colonies by a sense of their power, and exasperated them by a total denial of their Declaration of Rights.
May—Yet their triumph filled the colonies with joy, and gratitude toward the King and their English friends. Virginia voted the King a statue.