mp tax, and sent decided
instructions to their agent in London to insist firmly upon their rights
of taxation and trial by jury. When the news of these things reached
England, and the colonial agents made their remonstrances, it was asked,
"Will the colonies resist?" That was not believed to be possible even by
Franklin; but though no physical resistance was thought of in any part
of America, yet the opposition to the Stamp Act became increasingly
intense among all classes, from the first announcement of it in May to
the prescribed time of its going into operation, the 1st of November;
and armed resistance seems to have been viewed as a possible alternative
in the future. It was as yet looked upon as a contest between the
colonists and the Parliament and advisers of the King, and not with the
King himself, to whom ardent loyalty was professed and no doubt felt. It
was at length proposed that a general Congress of representatives of all
the colonies should be held to confer on the measures necessary to be
taken.

The Massachusetts Legislature met the latter part of May, and
recommended, on the 6th of June, the calling of a Congress, to be
composed of "Committees from the Houses of Representatives or Burgesses
in the several colonies," to meet at New York on the first Tuesday of
October following, there to consult "on the difficulties in which the
colonies were and must be placed by the late Acts of Parliament levying
duties and taxes upon them, and to consider of a general and humble
address to his Majesty and the Parliament to implore relief." A circular
letter was prepared and sent to the Speakers of the Legislative
Assemblies of other colonies; and a Committee was chosen for
Massachusetts. On the 7th of October a Congress met at New York,
consisting of 28 delegates from the Assemblies of Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, the Delaware counties, Maryland, and South Carolina. The
session of this convention or congress lasted three weeks; the members
were found to be of one opinion on the principal subjects discussed. A
declaration of the rights and grievances of the colonies was agreed to,
in which all the privileges of Englishmen were claimed as the birthright
of the colonists, including the right of being taxed only by their own
consent. A petition to the King and memorials to each House of
Parliament were prepared and adopted. The Assemblies of Vir