Use the passage to answer the following question:
"I can see no reason to doubt but the imposition of taxes, whether on trade, or on land, or houses, or ships, on real or personal, fixed ort floating property, in the colonies is absolutely irreconcilable with the rights of the colonists as British subjects and as men. I say men, for in a state of nature no man can take my property from me without my consent: if he does, he deprives me of my liberty and makes me a slave."
—James Otis, 1763
Based on this excerpt, what do you think Otis's purpose was in writing this document?
To sell
To describe
To conquer
To persuade ***
It is to persuade.
Yes, persuade.
To persuade
In this excerpt, James Otis expresses his belief that imposing taxes on the colonies is a violation of their rights as British subjects and as individuals. His use of strong language, such as "absolutely irreconcilable" and "deprives me of my liberty and makes me a slave," suggests that he is aiming to convince readers of the injustice of these taxes. Therefore, the purpose of his writing is to persuade others to oppose the imposition of taxes on the colonies.