Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 67
image_0 image_1 image_2
Remembering Benjamin Franklin's Key Testimony in the Repeal of the Stamp Act
Remembering Benjamin Franklin's Key Testimony in the Repeal of the Stamp Act
image_0 image_1 image_2
Description:

Franklin Benjamin

Remembering Benjamin Franklin’s Key Testimony in the Repeal of the Stamp Act

 

 

The New-York Gazette; or, the Weekly Post-Boy, October 22, 1767, New York: James Parker. 4 pp., 9.75" x 15.5". Some spotting with a few pin holes with minimal effect on texts.

 

 

Excerpt:

 

 

“An Introduction to Dr. Franklin’s Examination in the House of Commons, relative to the Repeal of the American Stamp-Act, as inserted in the Gentleman’s Magazine, for July 1767.

“From this Examination of Dr. Franklin, the reader may form a clearer and more comprehensive idea of the state and disposition of America, of the expediency or inexpediency of the measure in question, and of the character and conduct of the minister who proposed it, than from all that has been written upon the subject in news-papers, and pamphlets, under the titles of essays, letters, speeches, and considerations, from the first moment of its becoming the object of public attention until now.

 

            “The questions in general are put with great subtility and judgment, and they are answered with such deep and familiar knowledge of the subject, such precision and perpiscuity, such temper and yet such spirit, as do the greatest honour to Dr. Franklin, and justify the general opinion of his character and abilities.

 

“It is impossible to reduce the examination by an epitome, for there is nothing that can be spared either in manner or substance. [Any person who have not yet seen the Examination, and are desirous of having it, may be supplied by the Printer hereof.]” (p1/c3)

 

 

 

In 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act to raise revenue from the British colonies of North America by requiring colonists to produced printed materials on stamped paper produced in London. These materials included legal documents, magazines, playing cards, newspapers, and other types of paper. The Stamp Act sparked protests among American colonists, who insisted on “no taxation without representation.” Colonial assemblies sent protests and petitions, and local communities boycotted items requiring stamped paper. Most of the stamp distributors resigned.

 

 

In 1764, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) had traveled to England as a representative of the colony of Pennsylvania to request that it be made a royal colony rather than a proprietary province. While there, he was surprised by the extent of the opposition to the Stamp Act in the American colonies. In February 1766, the House of Commons heard testimony on the repeal of the Stamp Act. Benjamin Franklin was the most important witness, and many consider his testimony to have been decisive. One month later, on March 18, 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, setting off jubilant celebrations in America.

 

 

In this issue of the New-York Gazette, publisher James Parker reprints a favorable introduction to Franklin’s testimony in the Gentleman’s Magazine of London, published a few months earlier and offers to his reader a copy of Franklin’s testimony.

 

 

The response to the Stamp Act served as a rehearsal for later actions in opposition to the Townshend Acts of 1767, the Tea Act of 1773, and the Intolerable Acts of 1774. The Stamp Act Congress provided a blueprint for the later Continental Congresses.

 

 

> Includes Samuel Johnson’s “The Pleasures and Advantages of Industry” (p1/c1-3); news from London, Philadelphia, and Norfolk; and a variety of advertisements and notices, including one searching for Susannah Tucker, who left Woodbridge, New Jersey, pregnant and unmarried, and went to New York and may have boarded another boat for a destination unknown (p4/c3).

 

   

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000