Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me thy servant, who humbly prostrate myself before thee.
George WashingtonRead
The Stamp Act imposed on the colonies by the Parliament of Great Britain is an ill-judged measure. Parliament has no right to put its hands into our pockets without our consent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The Stamp Act was an unfair taxation imposed by Britain without colonial consent.
George Washington's quote reflects the growing discontent among the American colonies regarding British taxation policies. The Stamp Act was seen as an overreach of authority by the Parliament of Great Britain, arguing that they had no legitimate right to tax the colonies without their approval, thus highlighting the principles of self-governance and consent in governance.
Themes
Stamp ActTaxationConsentColoniesBritain
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the importance of consent in governance.
More from George Washington
All quotes βIf, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
George WashingtonRead
The duty of holding a Neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of Peace and amity toward other Nations.
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We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency. We expected to encounter many wants and distressed we must bear the present evils and fortitude
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What is most important of this grand experiment, the United States? Not the election of the first president but the election of its second president. The peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.
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Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
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