Ben Franklin testifies against the Stamp Act 1766
In 1765, the British Parliament undertook to levy a direct (internal) stamp tax on the American colonies to defray one-third of the expenses of keeping a military force there. The colonists had long paid taxes voted by their own assemblies, as well as customs duties (external taxes) passed by Parliament primarily to regulate trade. But they objected heatedly to paying direct or internal taxes voted by a Parliament in which they were not specifically represented. Benjamin Franklin, then in London as a prominent colonial agent, testified as follows before a committee of the House of Commons. He made a brilliant showing with his incisive answers, especially since he had “planted” a number of questions in advance among his friends on the committee.
Ben Franklin testifies against the Stamp Act 1766
In 1765, the British Parliament undertook to levy a direct (internal) stamp tax on the American colonies to defray one-third of the expenses of keeping a military force there. The colonists had long paid taxes voted by their own assemblies, as well as customs duties (external taxes) passed by Parliament primarily to regulate trade. But they objected heatedly to paying direct or internal taxes voted by a Parliament in which they were not specifically represented. Benjamin Franklin, then in London as a prominent colonial agent, testified as follows before a committee of the House of Commons. He made a brilliant showing with his incisive answers, especially since he had “planted” a number of questions in advance among his friends on the committee.