Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-10-12
tFrom The Richmond Enquirer.l
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPREsEN
TATION.


In 1860 an order in council arrived in Bos-
ton from Great Britain, directing the officers
Of the customs TO carry into effect the acts OF
the Trade, and 10 apply to the supreme judi
cature OF Massachusetts for wrts of assis-
tance. Application was made accordingly,
IN November of the same year, 10 the Su-
preme Court, then sitting at Salem. The
lime fixed for herring was in February,
l76l. The officers Of the customs called
upon James OILS, as advocate general, TO
argue their cause.
But as Mr.. Oils believed these wrlts to he
illegal and tyrannical, he refused. lie would
not prostitute his Office 10 the support oil an
oppressive act; and with true delicacy and
dignity, being unwilling to retain a station
/" which he might be expected or called
upon 10 argue in support oil such odious
measures, be resigned it, though the silua-
tlon was very lucrative, and if filled by an
incumbent with compliant spirit, led 10 the
hlghest iavors OF government. Mr.. Oils,
however, was not satisfied with having re-
signed the high office he held under the
British government, hut on the application
OF the merchants of Boston, engaged TO join
Mr.. Thacler in making their defence with
out fee. His language was: SIN snch a
case l despise all fees" The court met in
Boston, accordingly, in February, 1861, and
the t'ial took place in the council chamber,
at The east end OF the old town house. Ii
was a that time and place that James Otis
made his speech on the writs of assistance.
lull and satisfactory sketch of il was made
by President Adams, some years after, from
notes taken at lis delivery. Mr.. Oils, in an
argument of four OF five hours, laid down
the great principles of civil liberty, and es-
pecially the maxim that taxation without
representation is tyranny, with a clearness
and force due 10 his subject and 10 the occa-
sion. American independence, says
President Adams, twas then and there born.
The seeds OF patriotic apd heroes, TO defend
the non sine dis dnimOsus infans, were then
and there sown. Every man of an immense
crowded audience appeared TO me to go
away, as did, ready 10 take arms against
wrils OF assistance. Then and there was the
first scene in the first act of opposition to the
arbitrary claims of Great Britain" II do
say" adds President Adams 10 another
place, I'm the most solemn manner, that
MIR. Ots's oralion against wrts OF assistance
brealhed into this nation the breath of lilel"
We have taken the above extract from Will
liam Tudor's life of James Oils, and desire
that The attention of the Massachusetts dele
CATION in Congress may be called to 1t. II
taxation without representation was tyranny
in 1861, what is it in 1869? If Mr.. Bout
well is correctly reported in regard to the
eiecllon Of United States Senaors by the
virginia Legislature, to meet in October, is
he ready 10 relieve us OF the "Internal Reve-
nue. tax, " until we are represented in the
United States Senate?
massachusetts, claims the honor of having
been the first Slate in the Union to resist
taxation without representation. Let Mr..
Boutwell, carry out the principle now. Mas
sachusetts has no more rlgltto tax Virgins,
without representation, than Great Britain
had TO tax Massachusetts without represen-
lalion; nor as much; because Virginia was
always independent OF Massachusetts and
Massachusetts not of England, until 1888,