Glorious News. Boston, Friday, 11 o'clock, 16th May 1766 ...
To order an image, navigate to the full
display and click "request this image"
on the blue toolbar.
-
Choose an alternate description of this item written for these projects:
- Object of the Month
- Main description
[ This description is from the project: Coming of the American Revolution ]
This broadside reprints the announcement of the repeal of the Stamp Act that originally appeared in the London Gazette, 18 March 1766. It took six weeks for news of the repeal to arrive in Boston.
Glorious News
Throughout the early winter months of 1766, as colonists suffer under or simply ignore the provisions of the Stamp Act, Parliament reconsiders it. The Marquis of Rockingham, now in control, sees the act as a bludgeon with which he can beat back Grenville, who has been thrust from office and now sits in the opposition in Parliament. Rockingham carefully builds his case against Grenville and the Stamp Act. British merchants are not happy. They are having difficulty collecting on their American debts, and colonial nonimportation agreements have disrupted the cross-Atlantic trade. To enforce the act and crush the incipient colonial rebellion, military experts believe it will require a significantly larger military presence in the provinces. After lengthy consideration, Parliament takes up Rockingham's motion.
Questions to Consider
1. Do you think the account of the repeal as presented in the broadside is biased? Give evidence for your view.
2. Why did colonists ring church bells? On what other occasions were church bells rung?
Further Exploration
3. Consider the various factors leading up to repeal of the Stamp Act. Which do you consider most influential? Why? Defend your position. Argue your point with a classmate who has a different view.