Changes

==Rights of Englishmen==

==Rights of Englishmen==

By the 1760s the Americans came to believe they were being deprived of a historic right.<ref> John C. Miller, ''Origins of the American Revolution.'' 1943. pp. 31, 99, 104</ref>

By the 1760s the Americans came to believe they were being deprived of a historic right.<ref>John C. Miller, ''Origins of the American Revolution.'' 1943. pp. 31, 99, 104</ref>

In the Virginia legislature [[Patrick Henry]] passed resolutions to the effect that Americans possessed all the rights of Englishmen; that the principle of no taxation without representation was an essential part of the English Constitution; and that Virginia alone enjoyed the right to tax Virginians. <ref> Miller p 122-25</ref>  

In the Virginia legislature [[Patrick Henry]] passed resolutions to the effect that Americans possessed all the rights of Englishmen; that the principle of no taxation without representation was an essential part of the English Constitution; and that Virginia alone enjoyed the right to tax Virginians.<ref>Miller p 122-25</ref>  

==Origin of Phrase==

==Origin of Phrase==

==British perspectives==

==British perspectives==

Many British leaders agreed with the Americans, but King [[George III]] (reigned 1760-1820) and his government took a hard-line position. The British could not accept Virginia's position because it would undermine the authority of Parliament, which it insisted in the "Declaratory Act" was always the final decision-making body. In Britain representation was highly limited; only 3% of the men could vote and they were controlled by local gentry.<ref> Miller p 212</ref>  Therefore the British government argued that the colonists had [[virtual representation]] in their interests.  In English history "no taxation without representation" was an old principle and meant that Parliament had to pass all taxes.  At first the "representation" was held to be one of land, but by 1700 this had shifted to the notion that in Parliament all British subjects had a "virtual representation."  "We virtually and implicitly allow the institutions of any government of which we enjoy the benefit and solicit the protection," declared [[Samuel Johnson]] in his political pamphlet ''Taxation No Tyranny.'' He rejected the plea that the colonists, who had no vote, were unrepresented. "They are represented," he said, "by the same virtual representation as the greater part of England."<ref> See [http://books.google.com/books?id=M24FAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:taxation+inauthor:samuel+inauthor:johnson&num=30&as_brr=3#PPA4,M1]</ref>  

Many British leaders agreed with the Americans, but King [[George III]] (reigned 1760-1820) and his government took a hard-line position. The British could not accept Virginia's position because it would undermine the authority of Parliament, which it insisted in the "Declaratory Act" was always the final decision-making body. In Britain representation was highly limited; only 3% of the men could vote and they were controlled by local gentry.<ref>Miller p 212</ref>  Therefore the British government argued that the colonists had [[virtual representation]] in their interests.  In English history "no taxation without representation" was an old principle and meant that Parliament had to pass all taxes.  At first the "representation" was held to be one of land, but by 1700 this had shifted to the notion that in Parliament all British subjects had a "virtual representation."  "We virtually and implicitly allow the institutions of any government of which we enjoy the benefit and solicit the protection," declared [[Samuel Johnson]] in his political pamphlet ''Taxation No Tyranny.'' He rejected the plea that the colonists, who had no vote, were unrepresented. "They are represented," he said, "by the same virtual representation as the greater part of England."<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=M24FAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:taxation+inauthor:samuel+inauthor:johnson&num=30&as_brr=3#PPA4,M1 See]</ref>  

The theory of virtual representation was attacked in Britain by Charles Pratt, the Earl of Camden, and especially by William Pitt. It was wholly rejected in the colonies, who said the "virtual" was a cover for political corruption and was irreconcilable with their [[Republicanism, U.S.|republican]] belief that government derives its just powers from the [[consent of the governed]]. Colonists said no man was represented if he were not allowed to vote. Moreover, even "If every inhabitant of America had the requisite freehold," said [[Daniel Dulany]], "not one could vote, but upon the supposition of his ceasing to become an inhabitant of America, and becoming a resident of Great Britain." The colonists insisted that representation was achieved only through an assembly of men actually elected by the persons they were intended to represent.

The theory of virtual representation was attacked in Britain by Charles Pratt, the Earl of Camden, and especially by William Pitt. It was wholly rejected in the colonies, who said the "virtual" was a cover for political corruption and was irreconcilable with their [[Republicanism, U.S.|republican]] belief that government derives its just powers from the [[consent of the governed]]. Colonists said no man was represented if he were not allowed to vote. Moreover, even "If every inhabitant of America had the requisite freehold," said [[Daniel Dulany]], "not one could vote, but upon the supposition of his ceasing to become an inhabitant of America, and becoming a resident of Great Britain." The colonists insisted that representation was achieved only through an assembly of men actually elected by the persons they were intended to represent.

:"The idea of a virtual representation of America in this House is the most contemptible that ever entered into the head of a man. It does not deserve a serious refutation. The Commons of America, represented in their several assemblies, have ever been in possession of the exercise of this their constitutional right, of giving and granting their own money. They would have been slaves if they had not enjoyed it."

:"The idea of a virtual representation of America in this House is the most contemptible that ever entered into the head of a man. It does not deserve a serious refutation. The Commons of America, represented in their several assemblies, have ever been in possession of the exercise of this their constitutional right, of giving and granting their own money. They would have been slaves if they had not enjoyed it."

Grenville responded to Pitt, saying the disturbances in America "border on open rebellion; and if the doctrine I have heard this day be confirmed, nothing can tend more directly to produce a revolution." External and internal taxes are the same, argued Grenville. <ref> Green p. 256</ref>

Grenville responded to Pitt, saying the disturbances in America "border on open rebellion; and if the doctrine I have heard this day be confirmed, nothing can tend more directly to produce a revolution." External and internal taxes are the same, argued Grenville.<ref>Green p. 256</ref>

==Popular usage==

==Popular usage==

<references/>

<references/>

{{Template:Building Toward Independence}}

{{Building Toward Independence}}

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]