It is essential to the freedom and security of a free people, that no taxes be imposed upon them but by their own consent, or their representatives
The except above reflects the dissatisfaction of American colonists with the
imposition of taxes by the British government without their consent or representation. It implies that the colonists believed in the principles of self-governance and believed that taxes should only be levied with their consent or through the involvement of their elected representatives.
This dissatisfaction ultimately led to the American Revolution, as the colonists felt that their rights were being violated by the British government's imposition of various taxes, such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts. They argued that as English subjects, they should enjoy the same rights and privileges as those living in Britain, including representation in the decision-making process.
The colonists' demand for "no taxation without representation" became a rallying cry for the American Revolution and played a significant role in uniting the colonists against British rule. It highlighted the deep-rooted concern for individual liberties and the principles of consent and representation that were central to American political thought.
Ultimately, this dissatisfaction with the imposition of taxes without consent or representation laid the foundation for the founding principles of the United States, such as limited government, individual rights, and democratic governance.