Stamp Act: Freedom and Tyranny Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)

Quote #4

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person shall forge, counterfeit, erase, or alter, any such certificate, ever such person so offending shall be guilty of felony, and shall suffer death as in cases of felony without the benefit of clergy. (18.1)

Okay, now that looks like tyranny. This part of the law specifies that not only is the penalty for forgery death, but that's the penalty the first time you're caught. If that's not tyrannical, it's at least excessive. This isn't the only penalty in the Stamp Act that requires death on the first offense either.

Quote #5

And it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person within the said colonies or plantations, or any other part of his Majesty's dominions, shall sell or buy any cover or label which has been made use of for the inclosing any pack or parcel of cards; every person so offending shall, for every such offence [sic], forfeit twenty pounds. (38.1)

This is a pretty typical passage in the Stamp Act specifying a fine for an offense. The point here is that the Stamp Act is very clear about what it's going to fine, and that's nearly everything that has to so with stamps. While this isn't a problem on its face, the fines are absolutely brutal for the time, and remember, this was in the middle of a bad economy. The crown was getting money from the colonists coming and going.