The Stamp Act 1765 (short title Duties in American Colonies Act 1765; 5 George III, c. 12) was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament specifically on the colonies of British America. The act required that many printed materials in the colonies be produced onstamped paper produced in London, carrying an embossed revenue stamp.[1][2] These printed materials were legal documents, magazines, newspapers and many other types of paper used throughout the colonies. Like previous taxes, the stamp tax had to be paid in valid British currency, not in colonial paper money.[3] The purpose of the tax was to help pay for troops stationed in North America after the British victory in the Seven Years' War. The British government felt that the colonies were the primary beneficiaries of this military presence, and should pay at least a portion of the expense.
Thomas Hutchinson was governor of Massachusetts at that time and resided in Boston. This was his home that he lived in..
I'll need to get a better picture. The reason why Thomas Hutchinson is mentioned is because at first he was one of several people who warned London not to proceed with with this Stamp Act and it could not be good to tax the Americans.....because they could lose more than they gained. Well of course it was passed and I guess that kind of made the residents of Boston REALLY mad. There were many protests because Hutchinson was accused of treachery and betraying his country.
The protests got so bad that his home was ransacked and his collection of materials on early Massachusetts history was destroyed. His family was able to escape safely while all of this was going on. And if I can remember correctly this lasted all night and family silver, furniture, and other things were stolen. Talk about looting...huh? Also between 1625-1725 Boston had the most riots in the country totaling 28 according to the tour guide. Guess Bostonians complained alot....just saying.
So eventually Hutchinson privately supported calls to repeal this tax but did not want to publicly oppose this act because it would provide additional fuel against him for his opponents.
So let's see......people complained about taxes back then...and they complain about taxes now. How little times have changed and I guess this is why some politicians have security guards for protection to avoid what happened to Thomas Hutchinson.
Next topic....the influenza crisis 1918!
Well until next time....
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