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Considerations on the Propriety of Imposing Taxes in the British Colonies
Artifact IDTL 2026.1.5
Object Type
Temporary Loan
Date
1766
Author
Daniel Dulany (the Younger)
(American, 1722 - 1797)
Printer
William McAlpine
(for Mein) (Scottish, died 1788)
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Medium
pamphlet (bound)
DimensionsOverall H 5 3/4 in x W 7 1/2 in x D 8 1/2 in (14.6 cm x 19.1 cm x 21.6 cm)
Physical DescriptionDaniel Dulany, Considerations on the Propriety of Imposing Taxes in the British Colonies (Boston: McAlpine for Mein, 1766).
The pamphlet is bound in a modern or historical half-leather binding with marbled paper boards featuring shades of blue, orange, and cream. The paper of the text block is a heavy, cream-colored laid paper.The title page main title text reads: "CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PROPRIETY OF IMPOSING TAXES IN THE BRITISH COLONIES, For the Purpose of raising a REVENUE, by Act of Parliament." The bottom imprint reads "NORTH AMERICA:" followed by a faint or altered date block.
A multi-line inscription in cursive script reads: "by one of the most celebrated Civilians on this Continent Daniel Dulany". The name "Daniel Dulany" is underlined. Below this is a printed quote that reads: "...Haud totum verba resignent / Quod latet arcana, non enarrabile, fibra." followed by an English couplet: (“...Let not my words shew all; / The hidden mischief cannot be express'd.”).
Daniel Dulany was a Maryland Loyalist politician, Mayor of Annapolis, and an influential American lawyer in the period immediately before the American Revolution. His 1766 pamphlet argued against taxation without representation.
The pamphlet is bound in a modern or historical half-leather binding with marbled paper boards featuring shades of blue, orange, and cream. The paper of the text block is a heavy, cream-colored laid paper.The title page main title text reads: "CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PROPRIETY OF IMPOSING TAXES IN THE BRITISH COLONIES, For the Purpose of raising a REVENUE, by Act of Parliament." The bottom imprint reads "NORTH AMERICA:" followed by a faint or altered date block.
A multi-line inscription in cursive script reads: "by one of the most celebrated Civilians on this Continent Daniel Dulany". The name "Daniel Dulany" is underlined. Below this is a printed quote that reads: "...Haud totum verba resignent / Quod latet arcana, non enarrabile, fibra." followed by an English couplet: (“...Let not my words shew all; / The hidden mischief cannot be express'd.”).
Daniel Dulany was a Maryland Loyalist politician, Mayor of Annapolis, and an influential American lawyer in the period immediately before the American Revolution. His 1766 pamphlet argued against taxation without representation.
Historical NoteThe Stamp Act, the fiscal program of Prime Minister George Grenville, was born from his conviction that Parliament had supreme power over all of Britain’s dominions. The tax would not be enforced until November 1, 1765, but in the seven months before then Americans mounted a sustained, preemptive opposition, including with an array of pamphlets. These anti-tax printings were the first wave of American Revolution literature
and were written by advocates of colonial rights who identified as British. The most widely read was by Daniel Dulany, a Maryland lawyer who refuted Grenville’s parliamentary
justifications for the tax on three grounds: the colonies were not represented in Parliament (not even “virtually”); Parliament’s power did not extend to taxation; and the colonies already taxed themselves in their assemblies.
Additional Detailsand were written by advocates of colonial rights who identified as British. The most widely read was by Daniel Dulany, a Maryland lawyer who refuted Grenville’s parliamentary
justifications for the tax on three grounds: the colonies were not represented in Parliament (not even “virtually”); Parliament’s power did not extend to taxation; and the colonies already taxed themselves in their assemblies.
Credit Lineon loan courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 1677287)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NoteThe use of this image and document information is fully restricted. Reproduction in any manner is not allowed.On view