implementation of the new stamp tax.
In 1764, the British Empire further made more political missteps that slowly mad the colonist to intensify their rebellion against British rule and assert American liberties. The British passed the Sugar Act, which required colonists to pay new taxes for wine, coffee, textile, and indigo imports into America. Also, in 1765 the British parliament passed the Stamp Act that required colonies to pay a tax represented by a stamp on newspapers, Playing cards, legal documents. The primary aim of the Stamp tax was to help British troops deployed in the colonies during the Seven Years’ war. The British parliament approved the charge without representation from the colonial legislatures, and the tax payment was in British sterling pounds. Also, those who did not comply with the new tax regulation were prosecuted in Vice-Admiralty courts, which had no juries. The accused person could be imprisoned anywhere in the British Empire.
Archibald Hinshelwood, a merchant and a politician in Nova Scotia, in his letter to Joshua Mauger, describes the violent spirit of opposition that has resulted due to the implementation of the new stamp tax. Hinshelwood’s letter to Mauger defines the central issues that provoke the American revolution. The American patriots and British colonist rebels established their stand of no taxation without representation. Also, Hinshelwood’s letter shows British loyalist deliberate efforts to defeat any opposition that will arise. Hinshelwood is optimistic about being appointed a tax collector in Halifax and assures Mauger, a British Merchant, that the rebellion will not prevail.
Hinshelwood’s letter is biased because it demonstrates what the British aimed to achieve at any cost without considering the opinion of the colonist or the many merchants in America that were negatively affected by the Stamp Act. The letter is aimed at the British Loyalist to alert them of the ongoing unrest in the colonies but also to assure them that all rebellion will be defeated and the stamp tax shall work. Hinshelwood wanted to win Mauger’s favor to secure an appointment as a tax collector in Halifax.
In my opinion, the stamp tax crisis is the most critical event in the United States history that propelled the country to independence. The introduction of the stamp act exposed British’s repressive rule that hurt both the Americans and French colonists. The Stamp crisis demonstration and boycotts marked the beginning of the American revolution.