Thorough Understanding of the Principles of Liberty by the People.--The Stamp Act.--How viewed by the Colonists.--Colden strengthens Fort George in Alarm.--Arrival of the Stamps.--How the News was received by the Sons of Liberty.--A Bold Placard.--Stamp Distributor frightened.--Patriotic Action of the Merchants.--Public Demonstration against the Stamp Act.--Colden takes Refuge in the Fort.--Dare not fire on the People.--The People at the Gate demand the Stamps.--Colden and Lord Bute hung in Effigy.--Colden's Coach-house broken open.--The Images placed in the Coach, and dragged with Shouts through the Streets.--Hung again in Sight of the Fort.--A Bonfire made of the Fence around Bowling Green, and the Governor's Carriages, while the Garrison look silently on.--Prejudice against Coaches.--Major James' House sacked.--Great Joy and Demonstration at the Repeal of the Stamp Act.--Celebration of the King's Birthday.--Loyalty of the People.--Mutiny Act.--A Riot becomes a Great Rebellion. At the present day, when personal ambition takes the place of patriotism, and love of principle gives way to love of party; when the success of the latter is placed above constitutional obligations and popular rights, one seems, as he turns back to our early history, to be transported to another age of the world, and another race of beings. Nothing shows how thoroughly understood by the common people were the principles of liberty, and with what keen penetration they saw through all shams and specious reasoning, than the decided, nay, fierce, stand they took against the stamp act. This was nothing more than our present law requiring a governmental stamp on all public and business paper to make it valid. The only difference is, the former was levying a tax without representation--in other words, without the consent of the governed. The colonies assembled in Congress condemned it; hence the open, violent opposition to it by the people rises above the level of a common riot, and partakes more of the nature of a righteous revolution. Still, it was a riot, and exhibited the lawless features of one. The news of the determination of the English Government to pass a stamp act, raised a storm of indignation throughout the colonies, from Massachusetts to South Carolina, and it was denounced as an oppressive, unrighteous, tyrannical measure. From the wayside tavern and the pulpit alike, it was attacked with unsparing severity. The Government, however, thought it a mere ebullition of feeling, that would not dare exhibit itself in open opposition. Nor does this confidence seem strong, when we remember the weakness of the colonies on the one side, and the strength of an organized government, with the law and force both, on the other.