The Footprints of Time: And a Complete Analysis of Our American System of Government, with a Concise History of the Original Colonies and of the United States, in Chronological OrderBancroft, Charles
History
The Footprints of Time: And a Complete Analysis of Our American System of Government, with a Concise History of the Original Colonies and of the United States, in Chronological Order
Bancroft, Charles
United States -- History; United States -- Politics and government
The Peace of Paris was signed in February of this year. July 7th began
“Pontiac’s War,” with the simultaneous attack on all the forts in the
peninsula of Michigan, and the whole frontier of Pennsylvania and
Virginia. Pontiac was an Ottawa chief, of great ability, and had drawn
many Indian tribes into the war. It was virtually ended in September of
the same year.
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it was repealed by Parliament; but the repeal was followed by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.
1767.
June—But their exultation was short-lived. In this year taxes
were levied on tea, paints, paper, glass, and lead. This led
to the determination, on the part of the colonies, to pay no
more taxes or duties at all.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account