in Appendix A. to this
chapter; and Lord Chancellor Camden's opinion, and the great commoner
Pitt's memorable sayings in the discussion on the _repeal_ of the Stamp
Act, will be found in Appendix B.]

The Declaratory Act, though avowing the absolute power of Parliament to
bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever, and rescinding, as far as an
Act of Parliament could, all the declarations and resolutions which had
been adopted by the Colonial Assemblies and public meetings against the
authority of Parliament, attracted very little attention amid the
absorbing interest centred in the Stamp Act, and the universal
rejoicings on both sides of the Atlantic at its repeal. The Declaratory
Act, as it was called, passed the Commons the beginning of February; and
on the 18th of the month, after a vehement discussion, closed by the
speeches of Messrs. Grenville and Pitt, the House of Commons, at three
o'clock in the morning, repealed the Stamp Act by a majority of 275 to
167. The House of Lords, after warm and protracted discussions, voted
for its repeal by a majority of 100 to 71; and three days afterwards,
the 18th of March, the royal assent was given to the Act--"An event,"
says the Annual Register for 1766, "that caused more universal joy
throughout the British dominions than perhaps any other that can be
remembered."

"Ships in the River Thames displayed their colours, and houses were
illuminated all over the city. It was no sooner known in America, than
the colonists rescinded their resolutions, and recommenced their
mercantile intercourse with the mother country. They presented their
homespun clothes to the poor, and imported more largely than ever. The
churches resounded with thanksgivings; and their public and private
rejoicings knew no bounds. By letters, addresses, and other means,
almost all the colonies showed unequivocal marks of acknowledgment and
gratitude. So sudden a calm after so violent a storm is without a
parallel in history. By the judicious sacrifice of one law, Great
Britain procured an acquiescence in all that remained."[275]

APPENDIX A. TO CHAPTER X.

DISCUSSION BETWEEN CHARLES TOWNSEND AND COLONEL BARRE IN THE DEBATE ON
PASSING THE STAMP ACT, REFERRED TO ON PAGE 293.

It was during the discussion on this Bill that Colonel Barre made the
famous retort to Mr. Charles Townsend, head of the Board of Trade. Mr.
Townsend made an able speech in support of the Bill and the equity of
the taxation, and