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The letter below was written by John Hughes, Stamp Distributor in Philadelphia,to his bosses in London. His job was to collect the tax on stamps.

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The letter below was written by John Hughes, Stamp Distributor in Philadelphia,to his bosses in London. His job was to collect the tax on stamps.

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Philadelphia January 13th 1766.
"My Lords,
The colonists have been insulting His Majesty, saying that the Stamp
Act was unconstitutional, and oppressive.
It is apparent to many people here that the Presbyterians are at the
head of these riots. They are opposed to Kings and some cry out—
‘No King but King Jesus.’ The leaders fill every newspaper with
inflammatory pieces, so that the minds of the common people are
kept in a continual ferment. . . No one dares write anything that would
calm the people down. Doing so would put the writer’s life and
fortune in danger.
I am convinced the Presbyterians intend nothing less than the
throwing off their allegiance and obedience to his Majesty, and
forming a Republican Empire, in America, and being Lords and
Masters themselves.
I am daily threatened by verbal messages and anonymous letters,
with a mob of several thousand people, from the Jerseys, New York,
and New England.
I conclude with praying, that the Almighty may secure the allegiance
of America to the Crown of Britain, by destroying the seeds of
rebellion, and by punishing the ringleaders of these riots.
I am, My Lords, Your most Obedient & Most Humble Servant,
John Hughes"

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Boston-Gazette Supplement, 27 January 1766
From a late London Paper.
"The riotous behavior of the people in Boston is
remarkable. I would have been less surprised
by their behavior if we had taxed their beer,
because everyone drinks beer. But the Stamp
Act is a tax on none of the necessities of life.
It does not affect the poor. And even a poor
person can afford this little amount of money.
The tax on newspapers only affects the rich—
common people do not purchase newspapers.
Isn’t it surprising, then, that the mob in Boston
has begun to riot against this tax even before it
has officially gone into effect?"
Source: This letter was written in a London newspaper and then
published in the Boston Gazette Supplement two months after
the Stamp Act went into effect.

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Boston-Gazette, October 7, 1765
"My Dear Countrymen,
AWAKE! Awake, my Countrymen and defeat
those who want to enslave us. Do not be
cowards. You were born in Britain, the Land of
Light, and you were raised in America, the
Land of Liberty. It is your duty to fight this tax.
Future generations will bless your efforts and
honor the memory of the saviors of their
country.
I urge you to tell your representatives that you
do not support this terrible and burdensome
law. Let them know what you think. They
should act as guardians of the liberty of their
country.
I look forward to congratulating you on
delivering us from the enemies of truth and
liberty."
Source: This letter appeared in the Boston-Gazette
newspaper on October 7, 1765.

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After months of protest, and an appeal by Benjamin Franklin before the British House of Commons, Parliament voted to repeal the Stamp Act in March 1766.

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Stamp Act Exclusive Videos & Features - HISTORY.com

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Check out exclusive Stamp Act videos and features. Browse the latest Stamp Act videos and more on HISTORY.com.

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In an effort to raise funds to pay off debts and defend the vast new American territories won from the French in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), the British government passes the Stamp Act on this day in 1765.

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"revenue is still demanded . . . and appropriated to the maintenance of swarms of officers and pensioners in idleness and luxury." - John Adams

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1an act of the British Parliament for raising revenue in the American Colonies by requiring the use of stamps and stamped paper for official documents, commercial writings, and various articles

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1an act of the British Parliament for raising revenue in the American Colonies by requiring the use of stamps and stamped paper for official documents, commercial writings, and various articles