Document F Source: Benjamin Franklin's testimony against the Stamp Act (1766) Q. What is your name, and place of abode? A. Franklin. Of Philadelphia... Q. Do you think the people of America would submit to pay the stamp duty, if it was moderated? A. No, never, unless compelled by force of arms... Q. What is your opinion of a future tax, imposed on the same principle with that of the Stamp Act? How would the Americans receive it? A. Just as they do this. They would not pay it. Q. Have not you heard of the resolutions of this House, and of the House of Lords, asserting the right of Parliament relating to America, including a power to tax the people there? A. Yes, I have heard of such resolutions. Q. What will be the opinion of the Americans on those resolutions? A. They will think them unconstitutional and unjust... Q. Was it an opinion in America before 1763 that the Parliament had no right to lay taxes and duties there? A. I never heard any objection to the right of laying duties to regulate commerce; but a right to lay internal taxes was never supposed to be in Parliament as we are not represented there... Q. If the Act is not repealed, what do you think will be the consequences? A. A total loss of respect and affection the people of the America bear to this country and of all the commerce that depends on that respect and affection... Q. If the Stamp Act should be repealed, would it induce the assemblies of America to acknowledge the right of Parliament to tax them, and would they erase their resolutions (against the Stamp Act)? A. No, never.

Document F Source: Benjamin Franklin's testimony against the Stamp Act (1766) Q. What is your name, and place of abode? A. Franklin. Of Philadelphia... Q. Do you think the people of America would submit to pay the stamp duty, if it was moderated? A. No, never, unless compelled by force of arms... Q. What is your opinion of a future tax, imposed on the same principle with that of the Stamp Act? How would the Americans receive it? A. Just as they do this. They would not pay it. Q. Have not you heard of the resolutions of this House, and of the House of Lords, asserting the right of Parliament relating to America, including a power to tax the people there? A. Yes, I have heard of such resolutions. Q. What will be the opinion of the Americans on those resolutions? A. They will think them unconstitutional and unjust... Q. Was it an opinion in America before 1763 that the Parliament had no right to lay taxes and duties there? A. I never heard any objection to the right of laying duties to regulate commerce; but a right to lay internal taxes was never supposed to be in Parliament as we are not represented there... Q. If the Act is not repealed, what do you think will be the consequences? A. A total loss of respect and affection the people of the America bear to this country and of all the commerce that depends on that respect and affection... Q. If the Stamp Act should be repealed, would it induce the assemblies of America to acknowledge the right of Parliament to tax them, and would they erase their resolutions (against the Stamp Act)? A. No, never.