The Stamp Act had been passed by the British Parliament but it was not to go into effect until November. Nevertheless, the inter-colonial congress met in Albany, New York and passed this Resolution.
Resolutions of the Stamp Act
October 19, 1765
The members of this Congress, sincerely devoted, with the
warmest sentiments of affection and duty to His Majesty's
Person and Government, inviolably attached to the present
happy establishment of the Protestant succession, and with
minds deeply impressed by a sense of the present and
impending misfortunes of the British colonies on this
continent; having considered as maturely as time will permit
the circumstances of the said colonies, esteem it our
indispensable duty to make the following declarations of our
humble opinion, respecting the most essential rights and
liberties Of the colonists, and of the grievances under
which they labour, by reason of several late Acts of Parliament.
That His Majesty's subjects in these colonies, owe
the same allegiance to the Crown of Great-Britain, that
is owing from his subjects born within the realm, and all
due subordination to that august body the Parliament of
Great Britain.
That His Majesty's liege subjects in these colonies,
are entitled to all the inherent rights and liberties of his
natural born subjects within the kingdom of Great-Britain.
That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of
a people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no
taxes be imposed on them, but with their own consent,
given personally, or by their representatives.
That the people of these colonies are not, and
from their local circumstances cannot be, represented in
the House of Commons in Great-Britain.
That the only representatives of the people of
these colonies, are persons chosen therein by themselves,
and that no taxes ever have been, or can be constitutionally
imposed on them, but by their respective legislatures.
That all supplies to the Crown, being free gifts of
the people, it is unreasonable and inconsistent with the
principles and spirit of the British Constitution, for the people
of Great-Britain to grant to His Majesty the property of
the colonists.
That trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable
right of every British subject in these colonies.
That the late Act of Parliament, entitled, An
Act for granting and applying certain Stamp Duties, and
other Duties, in the British colonies and plantations in
America, etc., by imposing taxes on the inhabitants of
these colonies, and the said Act, and several other Acts, by
extending the jurisdiction of the courts of Admiralty
beyond its ancient limits, have a manifest tendency to subvert
the rights and liberties of the colonists.
That the duties imposed by several late Acts of
Parliament, from the peculiar circumstances of these
colonies, will be extremely burthensome and grievous; and
from the scarcity of specie, the payment of them absolutely
impracticable.
That as the profits of the trade of these colonies
ultimately center in Great-Britain, to pay for the
manufactures which they are obliged to take from thence, they
eventually contribute very largely to all supplies granted
there to the Crown.
That the restrictions imposed by several late Acts
of Parliament, on the trade of these colonies, will render
them unable to purchase the manufactures of Great-Britain.
That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of
these colonies, depend on the full and free enjoyment of
their rights and liberties, and an intercourse with
Great-Britain mutually affectionate and advantageous.
That it is the right of the British subjects in
these colonies, to petition the King, Or either House of
Parliament.
Lastly, That it is the indispensable duty of these
colonies, to the best of sovereigns, to the mother country,
and to themselves, to endeavour by a loyal and dutiful
address to his Majesty, and humble applications to both
Houses of Parliament, to procure the repeal of the Act for
granting and applying certain stamp duties, of all clauses
of any other Acts of Parliament, whereby the jurisdiction
of the Admiralty is extended as aforesaid, and of the
other late Acts for the restriction of American commerce.
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