Stamp Act: Freedom and Tyranny Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)

Quote #1

Provided, That nothing in this act contained shall extend to charge the probate of any will, or letters of administration to the effects of any common seaman or soldier, who shall die in his Majesty's service; a certificate being produced from the commanding officer of the ship or vessel, or troop or company in which such seaman or soldier served at the time of his death, and oath, or if by a quaker a solemn affirmation, made of the truth thereof, before the proper judge or officer by whom such probate or administration ought to be granted; which oath or affirmation such judge or officer is hereby authorized and required to administer, and for which no fee or rewards shall be taken. (7.1)

The Stamp Act is famous as a document that did nothing but curtail freedoms and stomp on rights like they were ants at a picnic. In many places, though, the law states the kinds of things it doesn't change. In this case, the law is informing the world of the power it doesn't have. That doesn't sound like tyranny.

Quote #2

Provided always, and be it enacted, That until after the expiration of five years from the commencement of the said duties, no skin, or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper, on which any instrument, proceeding, or other matter or thing shall be ingrossed [sic], written, or printed, within the colonies of Quebec or Granada, in any other than the English language, shall be liable to be charged with any higher stamp duty than if the same had been ingrossed [sic], written, or printed in the English language. (8.1)

England's empire had many different languages spoken within it. The law specifically mentions that there is no penalty for printing a document in another language. It's to be charged the same price as English. There is no attempt to enforce English as an official tongue (pointing out Granada and Quebec as places where other languages are primary). Again, this is another case of the Stamp Act being non-tyrannical.

Quote #3

Or if any such officer shall be of the people commonly called Quakers, he shall take a solemn affirmation to the effect of the said oath; which oath or affirmation shall and may be administered to any such commissioner or commissioners by any two or more of the same commissioners, whether they have or have not previously taken the same: and any of the said commissioners, or any justice of the peace, within the kingdom of Great Britain, or any governor, lieutenant governor, judge, or other magistrate, within the said colonies or plantations, shall and may administer such oath or affirmation to any subordinate officer. (13.2)

Quakers, according to their religion, can't swear oaths. The Stamp Act stipulates that the Quakers can't be asked to do this in relation to the act. Doesn't sound like much, right? Well, this is before the First Amendment was a thing, and this document was asserting that a minority religious group (and not a very popular one) would be respected.