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.
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.
The correct answer is C. British authorities have unjustly restricted what colonies can produce and trade.
This can be inferred from Dickinson's statement that "Never did the British parliament... think of imposing duties in America, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING A REVENUE." He argues that prior to the Stamp Act, British statutes were aimed at regulating trade and promoting beneficial intercourse between Britain and its colonies. However, the imposition of duties solely for the purpose of raising revenue is seen as a violation of the colonies' rights. Additionally, Dickinson mentions that the colonies can manufacture their own goods to avoid paying the duties, suggesting that there is an unjust restriction on what colonies can produce and trade.
Therefore, the statement that best expresses Dickinson's viewpoint is that British authorities have unjustly restricted what colonies can produce and trade.
The correct answer is D. Britain and its colonies must negotiate fair terms of taxation and trade agreeable to both.
In the excerpt, Dickinson acknowledges that the British Parliament has the legal authority to regulate trade in Great Britain and its colonies. He emphasizes that the colonies are part of a whole and dependent on Great Britain. However, he argues that the imposition of duties in America solely for the purpose of raising revenue is a departure from previous statutes and regulations. This suggests that Dickinson believes that taxation should be based on mutually beneficial terms and negotiated between Britain and its colonies.
Therefore, option D best expresses Dickinson's viewpoint, as it acknowledges the need for fair terms of taxation and trade that both Britain and its colonies can agree upon.