Resolves Against the Stamp Act

Patrick Henry, Virginia House of Burgesses, May 29, 1765

[Part of American Independence in Verse.]

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Whether through fear, or influence, this Act
Is met by other Colonies with silence.
Virginia then will be the first to speak.
I offer to this House these resolutions:
Resolved, the General Assembly of
This Colony maintains exclusive right
To lay a tax upon its own inhabitants.
Vesting that power in any other Person
Or Body tends toward the destruction of
American as well as British freedom.
Resolved: Virginians are not bound to yield
Obedience to any law designed
To lay a tax upon them, if that law
Be not duly passed by this Assembly.
If anyone assert the contrary, 
He shall be deemed an enemy to this
Colony. Caesar had his Brutus; and
Charles had his Cromwell; and I do not doubt
That some American will soon stand up
In favor of this country.

        Treason! Treason!

If this be treason—make the most of it.

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