February 9, 1769

Parliament Revives Statute of Henry VIII for Transporting Criminals to England for Trial

Debated throughout January, the measure is intended to send a message to colonials that dissidents cannot hide behind likeminded neighbors who choose to ignore the law. George Grenville, the former prime minister, says the move "is insulting our understandings," because "in truth, you do not mean to send for anybody, and this resolution is so much waste paper."