Back to Boston 1773: A New and An American Method of ‘Political Agitation’

Part 6: of an 18-part series “…a new and an American method of political agitation” ~ Richard Frothingham “They hoped to build up their cause on the foundation of an intelligent public opinion.” – “Against the Townshend Acts were the declarations of the thirteen colonies, that the people had inherent rights, and that the powers of […]

A Series of Extraordinary Royal Instructions

Part 8: of an 18-part series * The first of a series of extraordinary Royal instructions began their mission to establish the right of parliament to tax the colonies , on the 6th of July, 1770. •    “In framing these instructions, little, if any, regard was paid to customs, forms, and prejudices in the colonies as old as their existence, […]

A Series of Extraordinary Royal Instructions

Part 9: of an 18-part series Lord North . . .moved two resolutions, one of which provided that: •          on all teas imported to any British Plantations in America after the 10th of May, 1773, ‘a drawback be allowed of all the duties of customs paid upon the importation of such teas, ‘ which left […]

The Boston Tea Party, 1773

Part 9: of an 18-part series Lord North . . .moved two resolutions, one of which provided that: •          on all teas imported to any British Plantations in America after the 10th of May, 1773, ‘a drawback be allowed of all the duties of customs paid upon the importation of such teas, ‘ which left […]

Back to Boston 1773: Tea Party Presuppositions (Part 1 of 18)

Part 1: of an 18-part series The Boston Tea Party of 1773 asserted the principle that The Law of Nature governs the right to taxation. “Our writer… tells us that formerly the right of taxation was in the king only. I should have been glad if he had pointed us to that time. We know […]

Back to Boston 1773: The Government-Granted Rights of Every Freeborn Englishman

Part 3: of an 18-part series •    Magna Charta, 1215 “JOHN, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to his Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, Barons, Justiciaries, Foresters… and his faithful subjects, greeting. Know ye, that we, in the presence of God, and for the […]

Back to Boston 1773: The British Townshend Scheme

Part 4: of an 18-part series •     Charles Townshend, chancellor of the exchequer, father of the Townshend Acts, 1767 Implementing The Declaratory Act of 1766: “that Parliament had the right to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever.” •     “These acts, in brief, imposed duties on glass, paper, painters’ colors, and tea; established a board […]

Back to Boston 1773: The British Townshend Scheme (continued)

Part 5: of an 18-part series “The new duties were imposed not on commercial grounds, but for political reasons; not to regulate trade, but for revenue and to assert British sovereignty.” Its aggression on the ancient self-government was pointed out: – Each colony, as an integral part of the nation, had a general assembly, which, though subordinate, was a free, […]

The American Way of Life (Part 25 of 28)

Part 25: of a 28-part series “Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of self. Can he then be trusted with the government of others, or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.” (That’s a wonderful Thomas Jefferson quote.) “In […]