All lives have decisive days. Such a day determined the great destiny of Jonathan Trumbull.
The stamp act had been passed in Parliament, by which a stamp duty was imposed upon all American paper that should be used to transact business and upon articles essential to life. Persons were to be appointed to sell stamps for the purpose. This was taxation without representation in Parliament, and was regarded as tyranny in America.
All persons holding office under England were required to make oath that they would support the stamp duty. Among these were the Governor of Connecticut and his ten councilors, and one of these councilors at that time was Jonathan Trumbull.
The day arrived on which the Governor, whose name was Fitch, and his councilors assembled to take the oath or to resign their commissions.
“I am ready to be sworn,” said the then Governor. “The sovereignty of England demands it. Are you all ready?”
There was a grave silence.
Jonathan Trumbull rose.
“The stamp act,” said he, “is a derogation of the chartered rights of the colony. It takes away our freedom. The power that can tax us as it pleases can govern us as it pleases. The stamp act takes away our liberties and robs us of everything. It makes us slaves and can reduce us to poverty. I can not take the oath.”
“But,” said the royal Governor, “the officers of his Majesty must obey his commands or not hold his commissions. For you to refuse to be sworn is contempt of Parliament. The King’s displeasure is fatal. Gentlemen, I am ready for the oath, and I ask that it be now administered to me.”
The Governors of all the provinces except Rhode Island had taken the oath. Even Franklin and Otis and Richard Henry Lee had decided to submit to the act of unrestrained tyranny. They thought it politic to do so.