of Liberty they use their utmost Endeavours, that the same might be Repealed ; That this Vote be Recorded in the Town Book that the Children yet unborn may see the desire their Ancestors had for their freedom & happiness . . . .
From the manuscript records in the Cambridge City Hall.
141. "Declarations of the Rights and Grievances of the Colonists" (1765)
This is the most significant action of the Stamp Act Congress, called to protest against taxation. —Bibliography as in No. 140 above.
SATURDAY, Oct. 19th, 1765, A.M. — The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c. as yesterday ; and upon mature deliberation, agreed to the following declarations of the rights and grievances of the colonists in America, which were ordered to be inserted :
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 would 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 labor, by reason of several late acts of parliament.
1st. 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.
2d. That his majesty's liege subjects in these colonies are entitled to all the inherent rights and privileges of his natural born subjects within the kingdom of Great Britain.
3d. That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted rights of Englishmen, that no taxes should be imposed
