3. The Stamp Act

Parliament, March 22, 1765

[Part of: “Let Those Flatter Who Fear”: American Independence in Verse.]

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Our colonies in America we
Defend; protect; secure;
And money for all these adventures
We pass this Act to procure.

Every skin or piece of parchment
Or vellum or paper or scrap
You use for any purpose
On it a Stamp you must slap.

A warrant’s a shilling or two, and
A deed for land is four;
A license for booze is three whole pounds
And stamps for dice cost more.

Of prices there are a great number
Depending on what you will write
And don’t you dare try to avoid them
Or we’ll pull your leashes tight.

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