The Quartering Act of 1765 Refuted

Letters From a Pennsylvania Farmer #2: Defines Colonial Taxation

Dec 12, 2007

John Dickinson wrote 12 letters that ignited American imagination, inspired Members of Parliament to denounce taxation without representation, and exposed hidden taxes.

In this first letter, Dickinson introduced himself and laid out a problem that had shocked him. In the neighboring colony of New York, there was quite a stir because they refused to house British Soldiers sent to enforce the collection of taxes. While he did not approve of some of the violent measures taken by radicals he fully affirmed New York's right to choose not to comply with the Parliaments edict.

He also established a familiar pattern that would be used through each letter. He highlights an issue that was troubling, details the problem it is causing and then offers a solution. His concluding remarks usually included a challenge and a Latin saying that helped to summarize his thoughts. He also graciously, for posterity, gave us the English interpretation.

Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies - Letter #1

Issue: Parliament voted to dissolve the New York Legislature because they refused to obey The Quartering Act.

The form of punishment used Parliament in this case is "pernicious to American freedom," This is an issue that should be watched closely by every one of the colonies.

Problem: Parliament does not have the right to impose any law whether it is called a tax or not, that requires the Colonies to provide money directly or indirectly for that law without their consent. This is taxation without representation.

Any act of Parliament that requires us to perform any singular action or service that has any monetary value attached to it is, in reality, "a tax upon us for the expense that accrues in complying with it."

Solution: The Colonies must present a united front in order to be able to withstand this attack on their freedoms.

If anyone is going to be honest with themselves about what they are looking at here they "must perceive that a dreadful stroke is aimed at the liberty of these colonies". Anything that affects one of these colonies affects them all. If Parliament is allowed to disrespect the constitutional rights of the Colony of New York, it will not have any problem doing the same to any other colony. If the colonies don't stick together on these issues it is sending the clear message to Parliament that it can go ahead and run roughshod over these English liberties. Parliament's strategy is to divide and conquer. We are much stronger when we stand together. This is why "I earnestly wish, that all the rest may, with equal ardor, support their sister.”

The Farmer's Challenge

Freedom of expression, when it comes from a place of strength, balance and moderation is what is needed. It is the least that we can do to have our own elected representatives ask our agents in England to "represent to the King’s ministers their sense of the suspending act, and to pray for its repeal." We should have stepped up and supported New York so that when it is needed we have the right to expect that they will do the same for us.

Source

Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies by John Dickinson, Esq.

The copyright of the article The Quartering Act of 1765 Refuted in Colonial America is owned by Roger Saunders. Permission to republish The Quartering Act of 1765 Refuted in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.