The famous Stamp Act resorted to as a means of raising a revenue
from the American Colonies during the Ministry of Mr. George
Grenville, was approved on the 22d of March, 1765. The law was never
successfully enforced; and when, a few months after its passage,
the Ministry of Grenville was succeeded by that of Lord Rockingham,
it became evident that nothing but a change of policy would restore
America to tranquillity. The plan of the Ministry was to repeal the
act, but at the same time to assert the _right_ of Parliament to tax
the Colonies. Against this position, Pitt (for he had not yet become
Lord Chatham) determined to take a stand. The following speech, made
on the occasion, is a good specimen of his earlier oratory,—though in
parts it was evidently much abridged in the process of reproduction.
It was reported by Sir Robert Dean, assisted by Lord Charlemont, and
the version here given is supposed to be more nearly as the speech
was spoken than is the report of any of the other of his speeches,
except that on an “Address to the Throne,” given hereafter.