He found it in a book of philosophy; but he sent it forth a winged messenger blazing in the sky.

In such a cause as this,” said he, “I despise a fee.” He spoke for country and for mankind.

Firmly he planted himself on the Rights of Man, which he insisted were, by the everlasting Law of Nature, inherent and inalienable; and these rights, he nobly proclaimed, were common to all, without distinction of color.

But he especially flew at two arguments of tyranny: first, that the colonists were “virtually” represented, and, secondly, that there was such a difference between direct and indirect taxation, that, while the former might be questionable…

His arguments were repeated, his words were gratefully adopted, and the saying, “Taxation without representation is tyranny,” became a maxim of patriotism.

The copy I hold in my hand has the imprint of London, and is marked “Third Edition.” All things considered, it is the most remarkable pamphlet of our country, and one of the most remarkable ever written.

Recent events, verifying the truths it so early announced, elevate its place in history.

Here are the same vital principles, enforced with learning and eloquence, which Otis announced at the bar, and then again in the debates of the Legislature; and here are not only the truths asserted by our fathers, but the unanswerable…

I come at once to the plain statement of fundamental right.

The supreme power cannot take from any man any part of his property without his consent in person or by representation.

The colonists are by the Law of Nature free-born, as indeed all men are, white or black.… Does it follow that ‘tis right to enslave a man because he is black?

Will short, curled hair, like wool, instead of Christian hair, as ’tis called by those whose hearts are as hard as the nether millstone, help the argument?

Assuming these rights as common to all, whether white or black, he insists that any taxation, whether direct or indirect, without representation, is only another form of Slavery.

I can see no reason to doubt but that the imposition of taxes, whether on trade, or on land, or houses, or ships, on real or personal, fixed or floating property, in the Colonies, is absolutely irreconcilable with the rights of the…

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.… The very act of taxing, exercised over those who are not represented, appears to me to be depriving them of one of their most essential rights as freemen, and, if continued…

That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent, given personally or by their representatives.

They only asked for rights, insisting always that there should be no taxation without representation.

Then came the Continental Congress, which at once put forth resolutions, where, after claiming the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, as natural rights, it was insisted that the colonists could be bound by no law to which they had…

Here was the original programme of James Otis: first, the rights of men, according to Natural Law; and, secondly, the principle that government, including of course taxation, depended on the consent of the governed.

The idea,” said he, “of a virtual representation of America in this House is the most contemptible idea that ever entered into the head of a man.

Its concentrated venom was all expressed in the title, “Taxation no Tyranny.” Another pamphlet appeared in reply, with the epigram, “Resistance no Rebellion,” embodying the idea, that, where there is taxation without representation…

At last, to the defiant watchword, “Taxation no Tyranny,” hurled from London, our fathers returned that other defiant watchword, “Independence.” But they did not turn their backs upon the principles asserted throughout the long controversy.

It sometimes happens that men fail in support of the cause to which they are pledged, or content themselves with something less than the truth.

There they stand, like a sublime overture to the new Republic, interpreting, inspiring, and filling it with transforming power.