Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-01-25
STAMPS WITH A HISTORY.
They Help to Tell the story Tina Led to
the American Revolution.

the American Revolution.
There have lately come into the pos
session of the National museum two
articles which are of great interest TO
every American, and Of particular
value 10 every student of American
history. These are nothing more nor
less than two of the original stamps
engraved III England for use in the
American colonies in accordance with
the provisions of the stamp net Of
February, 1865. This was the act which
caused such an uproar among the col
onies, and was one of the main causes
of all the trouble Immediately proceed
ing and leading up To the Revolution.
1t was intended that the revenue to
be raised by the stamp act should come
from the sale Of stamped paper and
stamps which were required TO be
placed upon all papers used in com
mercial transactions, suits at law, pub
LEGATIONS. transfers Of real estate, in
heritances and marriage licenses.
Thus u tax was placed upon the colo
MES without their consent, and the
money derived from this tax was TO be
used for the support Of "A Standing
army, which IN turn was expected 10
enforce the payment Of the tax. APP.
~parently no Englishman dreamed of
any resistance 10 the act, aud it is said
that Grcnville, the minister under
whom the act was passed, afterwards
made the statement that he would haye
staked his life on the obedience Of the
colonies 10 the measure. OF course,
however, there was a decided resist
ance, as every American knows, which
led 10 the repeal of the act in March,
1866, under the Rockingham minis
try.
The stamps themselves were hand
somely engraved, and ran in value
from a half-penny up To several
pounds. The two stamps now IN the
museum are of the value of "A half.
penny and a penny. They are uncan.
cellel aud are two of eight which We're
preserved by the heirs of Hon. Wei.
bore Ellis, who was commissioner OF
internal revenue for Great Britain III
the year 1865. After his death they
came into the possession Of his son,
Welbore Ellis, jr., who was a partner
in the famous banking house OF Walk
err, ualtby, Everett * Ellis, which
failed in the great financial panic oil
1927.
These two stamps remained In the
Ellis family up 10 a few years ago
when they were given 10 Mr.. +. j,
Walker, Of Newcastle-on-1yne, by hi
grandfather, the senior member Of The
above mentioned banking firm, who
was interested in antiques and curl
osities. A short time ago the two
stamps were given 10y Mr.. i. j. Walk
err 10 Mr.. John a. Brill Of Philadel
phia. Very o after the stamps came
into his possession, Mr.. Brill rccciyet
m offer Of fl0 from an English col
lector for the two, but declined IL a
once, whcreupon the EnglishmaI
cabled him an offer several times -
large, which was also declined. Mr.
Brill came 10 the conclusion that II
the stamps were Of that much yalu,
70 an EnglishmaD, they would bc o
much more value 10 an American mu
scum % historical relics, and h
promptly presented them W the Ma
tonal museum here, where they vii
be appreciated and properly preserved
They will he Installed in a handsom'
frame, which will have pictures AM
proper legends that will help 10 eel
the story vi the u that led 10 th'
American Revolution Washingtol