20
Patrick Henry’s Resolutions Against the Stamp Act
29-30 May, 1765
Background
The American colonists were just beginning to protest the revenue raising provisions of the Sugar Act and the Currency Act (to outlaw the printing of American money) when an even more alarming act came along that raised an even larger storm: The Stamp Act of 1765. It was the first direct internal tax levied on the colonies. Patrick Henry, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, took to the floor in May 1765 to offer a shocking series of resolutions (for the usually conservative body). All five of the offered resolutions were adopted. The first four passed with little debate. The fifth resolve required several hours of heated debate and passed by a single vote. Upon the return of the conservative members of the House of Burgesses, who had been absent for the original vote, the fifth resolve was retracted and removed from the record.
The following four resolves were adopted by the House of Burgesses on May 30, 1765:
Resolved, that the first adventurers and settlers of His Majesty’s colony and dominion of Virginia
brought with them and transmitted to their posterity, and all other His Majesty’s subjects since
inhabiting in this His Majesty’s said colony, all the liberties, privileges, franchises, and immunities
that have at any time been held, enjoyed, and possessed by the people of Great Britain.
Resolved, that by two royal charters, granted by King James I, the colonists aforesaid are declared
entitled to all liberties, privileges, and immunities of denizens and natural subjects to all intents and
purposes as if they had been abiding and 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, or the easiest method of
raising them, and must themselves be affected by every tax laid on the people, is the only security
against a burdensome taxation, and the distinguishing characteristic of British freedom, without
which the ancient constitution cannot exist.
Resolved, that His Majesty’s liege people of this his most ancient and loyal colony have without
interruption enjoyed the inestimable right of being governed by such laws, respecting their internal
policy and taxation, as are derived from their own consent, with the approbation of their sovereign,
or his substitute; and that the same has never been forfeited or yielded up, but has been constantly
recognized by the kings and people of Great Britain.
The following version of the much-debated fifth resolution (which was not adopted) was found with Patrick
Henry’s will:
Resolved, therefor that the General Assembly of this Colony have the only and exclusive Right and
Power to lay Taxes and Impositions upon the inhabitants of this Colony and that every Attempt to
vest such Power in any person or persons whatsoever other than the General Assembly aforesaid
has a manifest Tendency to destroy British as well as American Freedom.
The following two resolutions were not passed by the Virginia Assembly, but were reported in several
newspapers:
Resolved, That His Majesty’s liege people, the inhabitants of this Colony, are not bound to yield
obedience to any law or ordinance whatever, designed to impose any taxation whatsoever upon
them, other than the laws or ordinances of the General Assembly aforesaid.
Resolved, That any person who shall, by speaking or writing, assert or maintain that any person or
persons other than the General Assembly of this Colony, have any right or power to impose or lay
any taxation on the people here, shall be deemed an enemy to His Majesty’s Colony.[1]