Apr 16 2024
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The Stamp Act 1766
In 1765, for the first time the British Crown had imposed a direct tax on the American colonies. This was not accepted well. In my first novel, Snug Harbor Tavern: Shaggin’ for a Shillin’, my objective is to personalize the impact such decisions and reciprocal acts from Founding Fathers had on the common men and women. The candle-makers, cobblers, bartenders, harlots and others had their lives suffered with decisions made by others in government. Sadly, such repercussions continue today.
The following is an excerpt from the first novel. The Prime Minister meets with King George III to repeal the Stamp Act.
Lightly sipping from his glass of claret, King George licked the droplets from his bulbous lips. His bulging gray eyes absorbed Grenville’s obvious discomfort. He disliked George Grenville, finding him small-minded, grim, and quite long-winded. To spite him, he had intentionally ordered the room cleared of all furnishings, save those for his personal use. King George refused to allow any comfort to this nuisance of a man.
“Do proceed, Lord Grenville. I have a busy schedule today,” commanded the king, as his eyes wandered to the window.
“As you know, Your Majesty, with pressure from the banks and merchants, we have been forced to reconsider our stance on the Stamp Act. Hence, the Parliament has repealed this tax upon the American colonies, and it merely requires your signature to complete the documentation.” Wiping the moisture from his hands onto his leg, he placed the documents on the table.
The king pursed his lips. “Just a year ago, you told me of our being mired in debt to the tune of more than £129,000,000, due to the Seven Years’ War with France. Further, you told me it was time for the colonies to pay their fair share of what they called the French and Indian War by imposing this stamp tax. It would require that all legal documents, writs, and bills of sale must bear the official seal of the Crown; said stamped documents would be purchased for a fee.” Each word resounded against the bare walls as his momentum gained.
“Now you suggest that I ratify a repeal of that very same tax that would erase part of our financial burden. This wavering does not appeal to me one damned bit, my lord prime minister; not one damned bit!” The table shook beneath the impact of his pounding fist as his final words exploded in the air, leaving a cloud of discomfort in the room.
Grenville, taking a step back, responded meekly, “This has been debated at length in Parliament, Your Majesty. The rioting in the streets of the major cities in America has been most alarming.”
“We have an army over there, for god’s sake! Let them take the rascals in hand.”
“Riots are one thing, Your Majesty. But the real problem was the refusal to use the required stamps; it has stopped all courts, trade, and commerce. The London merchants are losing trade and profits, forcing many into bankruptcy. We have no choice at this time, lest we have rioting in the streets of London as well,” Grenville pleaded.
The king’s hard glare suddenly morphed into a sardonic grin. “The key words are ‘at this time,’ Lord Grenville.” Taking up a quill pen, George III signed the document repealing the Stamp Act.