Changes

The colonies did not react as swiftly as they had to the Stamp Act.  But they did resist, primarily due to clever pamphlets that educated and incited them.  John Dickinson's pamphlet, "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" was first published in 1767, and spread throughout the colonies as well as to Ireland, England, and France.  Dickinson, known as the "Penman of the Revolution," was a superb writer who also drafted the "Declaration of Rights" for the Stamp Act Congress, the "Olive Branch Petition," and the Articles of Confederation.   

The colonies did not react as swiftly as they had to the Stamp Act.  But they did resist, primarily due to clever pamphlets that educated and incited them.  John Dickinson's pamphlet, "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" was first published in 1767, and spread throughout the colonies as well as to Ireland, England, and France.  Dickinson, known as the "Penman of the Revolution," was a superb writer who also drafted the "Declaration of Rights" for the Stamp Act Congress, the "Olive Branch Petition," and the Articles of Confederation.   

The "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" maintained an impression of loyalty to the King.  Cleverly, Dickinson argued not from the standpoint of the colonies, but in terms of England's well being, and benefit to her.  He admonished Americans not to allow chaos break out (as occurred in the French Revolution a decade later): "The cause of ''liberty'' is a cause of too much dignity to be sullied by turbulence and tumult."

The "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" maintained an impression of loyalty to the King, but insisted that the British Parliament lacked the power to tax the colonies, which did not have representation in the Parliament.  Only the colonial assemblies had the power to tax the colonies.  These "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" argued that the Townshend Acts were illegal in trying to raise revenue without the approval by the colonial assemblies.

 

Cleverly, Dickinson argued not from the standpoint of the colonies, but in terms of England's well being, and benefit to her.  He admonished Americans not to allow chaos break out (as occurred in the French Revolution a decade later): "The cause of ''liberty'' is a cause of too much dignity to be sullied by turbulence and tumult."

Discontent with England grew.  In 1768, Massachusetts wrote a defiant letter to the British and the letter was endorsed (co-signed) by New Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Discontent with England grew.  In 1768, Massachusetts wrote a defiant letter to the British and the letter was endorsed (co-signed) by New Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Georgia, and South Carolina.