D. Britain and its colonies must negotiate fair terms of taxation and trade agreeable to both.
This is the best expression of Dickinson's viewpoint because he states that the British Parliament has the authority to regulate trade between Britain and its colonies, but that the Stamp Act administration was the first time they attempted to impose duties in America for the purpose of raising a revenue. He also states that the colonies should be able to manufacture the articles on which the duties are laid. This implies that Britain and its colonies should negotiate fair terms of taxation and trade that are agreeable to both.
Excerpt from Letter 2 by John Dickinson, 1767
The parliament unquestionably possesses a legal authority to regulate the trade of Great-Britain and all her colonies. . . . We are but parts of a whole; and therefore there must exist a power somewhere to preside, and preserve the connection in due order. This power is lodged in the parliament; and we are as much dependent on Great-Britain, as a perfectly free people can be on another.
I have looked over every statute relating to these colonies, from their first settlement to this time; and find every one of them founded on this principle, till the Stamp Act administration. All before, are calculated to regulate trade, and preserve or promote a mutually beneficial intercourse between the several constituent parts of the empire; . . . Never did the British parliament, till the period above mentioned think of imposing duties in America, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING A REVENUE. . . .
Some persons perhaps may say, that this act lays us under no necessity to pay the duties imposed, because we may ourselves manufacture the articles on which they are laid; whereas by the Stamp Act no instrument of writing could be good, unless made on British paper, and that too stamped.
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
Which statement best expresses Dickinson’s viewpoint?
A.
Britain’s Stamp Act falls outside the scope of legal regulation of trade.
B.
Britain’s attempts to tax the colonies in any way violates their liberties.
C.
British authorities have unjustly restricted what colonies can produce and trade.
D.
Britain and its colonies must negotiate fair terms of taxation and trade agreeable to both.
PLEASE, ALSO EXPLAIN WHY ITS THE CORRECT ANSWER, DO NOT GUESS, USE THE EXPERT.
1 answer