Hello and welcome to a history of the United States. Episode 128, The Stamp Act. On February 6th, 1765,

the British Prime Minister, George Grenville, introduced legislation to impose a stamp tax on North

America. This law would mean that paper used in the colonies would have to be produced in London and embossed with a stamp.

This paper could be used for legal documents, newspapers, playing cards, magazines, etc.

It was a controversial measure and Grenville had spent a whole year after the

Sugar Act preparing it. The Treasury had been working out what the best approach would be for the

tax to work with American circumstances, while Grenville had consulted with colonial representatives.

He'd watched the reaction over the past year to the American Duties Act, and he was positive.

Nobody wanted more taxation, obviously, but there was an absence of organised resistance.

It was the same story in Parliament.

Only the most radical of MPs questioned the act, while Pitt didn't bother to attend the debates.

Grenville introduced the bill with a lengthy speech which outlined the bill's merits and preempted any potential opposition. A few MP spoke, while not questioning that Parliament had the right

to tax the colonies, but wondered whether the measure was wise.

Charles Townsend remarks that he was happy with this,

since if Britain were to defend America, then America should help pay.

Then Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Barr spoke.

He said that America could pay the tax, but they would be disgusted.

He went on to say, quote,

They planted by your care?

No.

Your oppressions planted them in America.

They fled from your tyranny to a then uncultivated and inhospitable country.

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