- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
- March 7, 1835, 191 years ago — Death of Benjamin Tallmadge.
- March 11, 1731, 295 years ago — Birth of Robert Treat Paine, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Between 1767 and 1768, John Dickinson published twelve essays under the pseudonym “A Farmer,” articulating a powerful legal and moral argument against British taxation. These letters, widely read across the colonies, helped unify resistance to the Townshend Acts and laid the groundwork for constitutional protest. Below is a summary of each letter’s theme, with a quote and links to the original text and quote archive.
📜 Letter No. 1: Liberty Under Threat
Dickinson warns that even small parliamentary taxes threaten colonial liberty.
Quote: “A single step, beyond the bounds of the constitution, may lead to an abyss of despotism.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 2: Trade vs. Taxation
He distinguishes between regulation of trade and taxation for revenue, arguing the latter is unconstitutional.
Quote: “The Parliament unquestionably possesses a legal authority to regulate trade… but not to raise revenue.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 3: Rights and Laws
Dickinson defends colonial rights under British law and warns against erosion of legal protections.
Quote: “We cannot be happy without being free… we cannot be free without being secure in our property.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 4: Duty to the Constitution
He urges colonists to defend constitutional boundaries with reason and resolve.
Quote: “Let us take care of our constitution… and liberty will take care of itself.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 5: Liberty and Virtue
Dickinson links liberty to civic virtue and moral responsibility.
Quote: “Liberty is not the daughter but the parent of virtue.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 6: Parliamentary Overreach
He critiques Parliament’s assumption of power over internal colonial affairs.
Quote: “The cause of liberty is a cause of too much dignity to be sullied by turbulence and tumult.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 7: Legal Clarity
Dickinson emphasizes the need for precise legal understanding to resist unconstitutional acts.
Quote: “The more clearly we see the injustice of our sufferings, the more firmly we shall oppose them.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 8: Moderation and Resolve
He advocates for peaceful protest, but with unwavering commitment to rights.
Quote: “We must be bold enough to be firm, and wise enough to be temperate.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 9: Unity and Justice
Dickinson calls for colonial unity and justice in resisting British overreach.
Quote: “Let us all be of one heart and of one mind.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 10: Rights of Americans
He affirms that Americans are entitled to the same rights as Englishmen.
Quote: “We claim nothing but the liberty and privileges of English subjects.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 11: Warning to Britain
Dickinson warns that continued oppression will provoke deeper resistance.
Quote: “If Britain persists in her injustice, the consequences may be fatal.”
→ View Quote
📜 Letter No. 12: Freedom and Firmness
He closes with a call for courage and clarity in defending freedom.
Quote: “Let us remember that though hard the struggle, it is glorious to persevere.”
→ View Quote
Disclaimer:
The articles on this site include original commentary as well as transcriptions and excerpts from historical newspapers, books, and other public domain sources. Every effort has been made to preserve the accuracy and context of these materials; however, their inclusion does not imply authorship, agreement, or endorsement by Patriot Echoes unless explicitly stated. Sources are cited where available. All materials are presented for educational, archival, and civic purposes. If you believe any item has been misattributed or requires correction, please contact the editorial team.