Patrick Henry's copy of his "Resolves against the Stamp Act"
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Resolved,
That the first Adventurers and Settlers of this his Majesties
Colony and Dominion brought with them and transmitted to their
Posterity and all other his Majesties Subjects since inhabiting
in this his Majestie's said Colony all the Priviledges, Franchises
& Immunities that have at any Time been held, enjoyed, & possessed by
the People of Great Britain.
Resolved,
That by the two royal Charters granted by King James the first
the Colonists aforesaid are declared intituled to all the Priviledges, Liberties
& Immunities of Denizens and natural born Subjects to all Intents
and Purposes as if they had been abiding & born within the Realm
of England.
Resolved,
That the Taxation of the People by themselves or by Persons
chosen by themselves to represent them who can only know what Taxes the People
are able to bear and the easiest Mode of raising them and are equally
affected by such Taxes Themselves is the distinguishing Characteristick
of British Freedom and without which the ancient Constitution
cannot subsist.
Resolved,
That his Majestie's liege People of this most ancient Colony
have uninterruptedly enjoyed the Right of being thus governed by their own
assembly in the Article of their Taxes & internal Police and that the
same hath never been forfeited or any other Way given up but hath
been constantly recognized by the Kings & People of Great Britain.
Resolved, Therefore that the General Assembly of this Colony have the
only and sole exclusive Right & Power to lay Taxes & Impositions upon
the Inhabitants of this Colony and that every Attempt to vest such
Power in any ?P ? Person or Persons whatsoever other than the
General Assembly aforesaid has a manifest Tendency to destroy British
as well as American Freedom.
