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On Taxation Without Representation (1765) Patrick Henry and Soame Jenyns in 1763, at the end of the French and indian War, the British found themselves with an enlarged North American empire. In order to pay the costs of maintaining its vast lands, the British government imposed a series af taxes on its colonies, le also decided to stiictly enforce the Navigation Acts. These laws, some of which dated to the 1600s, regulated what colonisis could manufacture themselves, what they must import, and what they Could export, The regulations were meant to enrich Britain at che expense of ics colonists. In enforcing the laws, certain rights of British citizens, such as erial by jury, were ignered. - As Parliament passed Sugar Acy of 1764 and che Stamp Act of 1765, many colonists could ao tonger sit in silence. Soon cries of “no caxation without representation” went up. These colonists argued chat since Parliament had passed the taxes and they had no representation in Parkamenc, the taxes could not be applied co them. Only their own colonial legislatures could tax them. Patrick Henry, Patriot and orator, expressed this objection to the Stamp Acc in Document A, an excerpt from a debate about che Stacie Ast that took place in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Document @ is an excerpt by Soame Jenyns, a member of che British Parliament. He addressed the main point—wherher Briush citizens could be taxed without represencation, A. Patrick Henry in the Virginia Howse of Burgesses, 1765 . (Resodved} That by ewe royal charters granted by King James the first the Colonists aforesaid arc: deckare! astituled [entitled] to all the Privitedges [privileges], Liberdes Ae Immunities of Denizerts (naturalized citizens} and natural-bora Subjects to all intents and Purposes as if they had been abiding and born within the Realm of England. Resolved That the Taxation of the People by themselves or by Persons chosen by themselves fo represent them who can only know what Taxes the People are able to bear and the easiest. Mode of raising them and are equally affected by such Taxes themselves is the dis: tinguishing Characteristick [characteristic] of British Feecdota and without which the ancient Constitution cannot subsist (survive). Resolved That his Majestie’s Majesty's} Hege [loyall People of this most ancient Colony have uninteruptedly [without interrupdons] enjoyed the Right of being thus governed by their own assembly in the article of their Taxes and internal Police, and that the same hath, never been forfeited [given up] . . . but hath, been constantly reco: nized by the Kings e People of Great Britain. Resolved Therefore that the General Assembly of this Cotony It the only and sole exclusive Right & Power to lay Taxes & Impositic upon the Inhabitants of this Coluay and that every Atempt to vest such Power in any Person or Persons whatscever other than te General Assernbly Aforesaid has a manifest, Tendency ro dest oy British as well as American Freedom. 
