American Military Biography: Containing the Lives and Characters of the Officers of the Revolution, Who Were Most Distinguished in Achieving Our National Independence; Also, the Life of Gilbert Motier La Fayette, Major-General in the Continental Army, Mar

Excerpt from American Military Biography: Containing the Lives and Characters of the Officers of the Revolution, Who Were Most Distinguished in Achieving Our National Independence; Also, the Life of Gilbert Motier La Fayette, Major-General in the Continental Army, Marshal of France

But notwithstanding the excitement and opposition in Ame rica, and the' remonstrances of the colonies, Mr. Grenville, who was at the head of the treasury, prepared the stamp-bill, and introduced it into parliament, in February, 1765; and although Opposed with all the powers of eloquence, by Alderman Beck. Ford, Mr. Jackson, Colonel Barre, Sir William Meredith and others, it was adopted by a great majority; fifty only voting in opposition, out of about three hundred members, who were present. On the second reading of the bill, various petitions, not only from the colonies, but from the London merchants, interested in the American trade, were presented; but the peti tions were not even received, being refused, on the plea that no memorial could be received on a money bill. Having pas sed both houses of parliament, on the 29d of March, the Stamp Act received the royal assent. Dr. Franklin, then in England, as agent for Pennsylvania, wrote to Charles Thompson, after wards sepretary of congress - r The sun of liberty is set; you must light up the lamps of industry and economy. Mr. Thompson, in a spirited reply, observed, That he thought other lights would be lighted up to resist these unconstitutional measures. It is unnecessary to add, that this prediction was soon fulfilled.

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