New Jersey Assembly Stamp Act Resolutions
Whereas the late Act of Parliament, called the Stamp-Act, is found to be utterly subversive of Privileges inherent in, and originally secured by Grants and Confirmations from the Crown of Great-Britain to the Settlers of this Colony: In Duty therefore to ourselves, our Constituents and Posterity, this House thinks it absolutely necessary to leave the following Resolves on our Minutes.
1. Resolved, Nemine Contradicente,
That his Majesty’s Subjects inhabiting this Province, are, from the strongest Motives of Duty, Fidelity, and Gratitude, inviolably attached to his Royal Person and Government; and have ever shewn, and we doubt not ever will, their utmost Readiness and Alacrity for acceeding to the constitutional Requisitions of the Crown, as they have been from Time to Time made to this Colony.
2. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That his Majesty’s liege Subjects in this Colony, are entitled to all the inherent Rights and Liberties of his natural born Subjects, within the Kingdom of Great- Britain.
3. Resolved, Nem Con.
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.
4. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That the People of this Colony are not, and from their remote Situation cannot be represented in the Parliament of Great-Britain; and if the Principle of taxing the Colonies without their Consent, should be adopted, the People here would be subjected to the Taxation of two Legislatures; a Grievance unprecedented, and not to be thought of without the greatest Anxiety.
5. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That the only Representatives of the People of this Colony, are Persons chosen by themselves; and that no Taxes ever have been, or can be imposed on them, agreeable to the Constitution of this Province, granted and confirmed by his Majesty’s most gracious Predecessors, but by their own Legislature.
6. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That all Supplies being free Gifts; for the People of Great-Britain to grant to his Majesty the Property of the People of this Colony, without their Consent, and being represented; would be unreasonable, and render useless Legislation in this Colony in the most essential Point.
7. Resolved, Nem. Con. That the Profits of Trade arising from this Colony, centering in Great-Britain, eventually contributes to the Supplies granted there to the Crown.
8. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That the giving unlimitted Power to any Subject or Subjects, to impose what Taxes they please in the Colonies, under the Mode of Regulating the Prices of Stampt Vellum, Parchment and Paper, appears to us unconstitutional, contrary to the Rights of the Subject, and apparently dangerous in its Consequences.
9. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That any Incumbrance, which in Effect restrains the Liberty of the Press in America, is an Infringement upon the Subjects Liberty.
10. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That the Extention of the Powers of the Court of Admiralty within this Province, beyond its ancient Limits, is a violent Innovation of the Right of Trials by Jury, — a Right which this House, upon the Principles of their British Ancestors, hold most dear and invaluable.
11. Resolved, Nem. Con.
That as the Tranquility of this Colony hath been interrupted through Fear of the dreadful Consequences of the Stamp-Act, that therefore the Officers of the Government, who go on in their Offices for the Good and Peace of the Province in the accustomed Manner, while Things are in their present unsettled Situation, will, in the Opinion of this House, be entituled to the Countenance of the Legislature; and it is recommended to our Constituents, to use what Endeavours lie in their Power, to preserve the Peace, Quiet, Harmony, and Good-Order of the Government, that no Heats, Disorders or Animosities, may in the least obstruct the united Endeavours that are now strongly engaged for the Repealing the Act above mentioned, and other Acts affecting the Trade of the Colonies.