This act, so celebrated in the annals of American history, both as an act of flagrant injustice, on the part of the British parliament, and one of the _proximate causes_ of the Revolution, consisted of fifty-five specific duties, laid on as many different species of instruments, in which paper was used; such as notes, bonds, mortgages, deeds, university degrees, licenses, advertisements in newspapers, and even almanacs; varying from _one half-penny_ up to _six pounds_. As an illustration of the heavy burdens designed to be put upon the colonies by this act, it may be stated, that previous to the passage of the act, a ream of common printed bailbonds cost fifteen pounds--_stamped_, one hundred. A ream of _stamped_ policies of insurance amounted to one hundred and ninety pounds--of common ones, without stamps, twenty. A piece of paper, or parchment, used as a diploma, or certificate of a degree taken in any university, academy, or college, was taxed _two pounds_. For a piece of paper for a license for retailing spirituous liquors, _twenty shillings_ were demanded. For one for a license for selling wine only, _four pounds_; for wine and spirituous liquors, _three pounds_. For letters of probate, administration, or guardianship, _ten shillings_. For a common deed, conveying not exceeding one hundred acres of land, _one shilling and sixpence_. For a newspaper, containing half a sheet or less, _one half-penny_; one sheet, _one penny_. Pamphlets, _one shilling_ per sheet. Advertisements, _two shillings_ each. Almanacs, _fourpence_. This act was ordered to take effect on the following 1st of November. Meanwhile, the people in various parts of the country were anxious to express their detestation of the measure, which the lapse of a few months was to bring into operation. One day in the month of August, the effigy of Andrew Oliver, the proposed distributor of stamps in Massachusetts, was found hanging on a tree, afterwards well known by the name of _Liberty-tree_, in the main street of Boston. At night it was taken down, and carried on a bier amidst the acclamations of an immense collection of people through the court-house, down King street, to a small brick building, supposed to have been erected for the reception of the detested stamps. This building being soon levelled with the ground, the rioters next attacked Mr. Oliver's house; and having broken the windows, entered it, and destroyed part of the furniture. [Illustration: Procession with an Effigy and Stamp-master at Boston.]