The Stamp Act had created a storm of resistance in the British colonies. The requirement that all paper goods be taxed led to the call of “taxation without representation,” especially since Parliament had acted without consulting the colonial assemblies or even informing the appointed governors.
A series of protests, meetings, letters to Parliament, fiery speeches, and stubborn resistance to compliance led to reports by late winter 1766 that Parliament was reconsidering its action. While the repeal was legislated on March 4 and signed by King George III two weeks later, the news did not reach the colonies until May. During those two months, protests had accelerated across the colonies and threats of rebellion increased.
Once the colonial assemblies received the official word that the Stamp Act had been repealed, celebrations erupted in the streets — nowhere more boisterous than in Boston! Church bells rang, and Royal Governor Francis Bernard, striving to regain control and acceptance, announced a day of celebration on May 19. The Boston-Gazette mentioned the Stamp Act and its repeal 42 times in the May 19 issue; obviously, Boston and its Sons of Liberty were joyous.
All public buildings were illuminated. Parties were staged across the city. Governor Bernard hosted guests, but it was John Hancock’s party at his mansion that attracted the most people, excited about the repeal. Encouraged by a tremendous fireworks displays and ample Madeira wine for all guests, the merchants’ party was deemed as exhibiting “extreme decency and good order.” In a gesture of celebration, Hancock proposed and the Boston merchants in attendance agreed that all imprisoned debtors would be released and debts forgiven. Huzzah!
In honor of the repeal, Paul Revere — always present and leading — designed an obelisk for the Boston Commons that was illuminated by lamps, decorated with patriotic slogans and quotations, and “loaded” with fireworks that could be discharged as part of the continuing celebration. Unfortunately, the obelisk caught fire and burned to the ground within the week.
The celebrations continued. Boston and other colonial cities planted public events in honor of the king’s birthday on June 4 and a Day of Thanksgiving for later in July. Once again, the colonists declared their loyalty to the Crown in the hopes of enjoying those “rights of English citizens.” On the anniversary of the Stamp Act’s passage, the Sons of Liberty gathered beneath the Liberty Tree and drank 14 toasts to the mother country, to the power of protest, and to a new relationship with Parliament and the Crown.
Unfortunately, the celebrations soured with the news that Parliament had once again tightened the noose. The colonists realized that, on the same day of the Stamp Act repeal, Parliament had enacted the Declaratory Act stating that “its taxing power in America remained unchanged.”
The colonists symbolically heard a door slamming on any possibility of self-governance and full citizenship rights. They responded with a series of broadsides — single-sheet pamphlets — designed to inform the general public of Parliamentary actions. Those reprinted words of the Declaratory Act further inflamed colonists across all three regions.
“Whereas it is expedient that a revenue should be raised, in your Majesty’s dominion in America, for making a certain and adequate provision for defraying the charge of administration of justice, and the support of civil government, in such provinces as it shall be necessary; and towards further defraying the expenses of defending, protecting and securing the said dominions…”
Yes, Parliament was using the same justification it had used for the Proclamation of 1763 and other taxing legislation. The colonies must be “defended and protected” by the British military — not an argument that set well in the colonies, having seen the British military’s performance during the French and Indian War.
Within months, Parliament issued an additional set of legislative acts, designed to bring the now-rebellious colonists under control. The Townshend Acts, passed in June 1767 and named for Charles Townshend, English Chancellor of the Exchequer, included five major pieces of legislation, each increasing English power and silencing colonial protests.
Protests instead increased as the Sons of Liberty and others deemed the Revenue Act of 1767, the Commissioners of Customs Act, the Indemnity Act, the New York Restraining Act, and the Vice Admiralty Court Act as an “egregious abuse of power.”
Once again, the English Parliament had misjudged the passion for freedom, liberty, and justice in the colonies…
