Creative Writing: A Colonial Family's Reaction To The Stamp Act

A Colonial Family's Reaction to the Stamp Act

“We all know what this is about. The British have no right to tax us directly, especially since we have no representatives in Parliament!” This was my father. He tended to be loud, with a great booming voice, especially about things like politics.

“I agree. I'm not sure about those Sons of Liberty though. They're too violent. Did you hear about what happened to Andrew Oliver?” My mother was quiet and didn't like any sort of fighting. “Yeah! They hung and decapitated an effigy of him and burned his house down! It sounds exciting!” I thought people like the Sons of Liberty and the Loyal Nine in Boston were awesome.

“The tax is not even a good idea. Ever since it was passed, gamblers have been getting

bored because they can't afford to play cards and stirring up trouble, people have been rioting in the streets, burning effigies, taking down flags, and honest people can't send letters, get married, or do anything! Printers and newspaper editors are losing their jobs as well. The British trade is suffering too, as more and more people boycott anything made over there. They'll probably repeal it soon.” My mother would rather have us just sit down and let the British crush us under their weight! We need to fight for our rights!
“I am tired of King George III doing whatever he wants with us! We are human beings and deserve our rights!” “We should talk. Try to petition the government and get them to repeal the act.” “We did! Letters have been to England by the shipload, and there has been no response.” “The king doesn't care about us! He just wants money to pay for the soldiers he makes us feed and house. Even I know that! But there may be an end soon. Stamp distributors have been resigning for fear of rioting merchants, and harbors are closing to boats carrying stamped paper. Even if the king doesn't care about our rights, he will have to let up soon.”
“I still don't agree with this violence, but if it is necessary, I suppose it must be done.

I just want this to end and us to all go back to farming and trading, instead of burning and protesting...” My mother is still against violence.“We must! We need to rid ourselves of this tax. We need to make sure Parliament and the King know that we will not lie down and be robbed!” My father and I were in total agreement. “I suppose... I just wish it wasn't so dangerous. What if someone accidentally dies in a fire? The soldiers might start arresting people and beating them up in the streets.” “They already do that. If anyone uses paper that isn't stamped, or criticizes the government, or speaks a single word they don't like, they get shut down and locked up. Prison conditions aren't exactly good... That's why I moved the table upstairs, so we won't be overheard.”

“Did you hear about the new Stamp Act congress? People from every colony are finally getting together to work on the problem!” “Yes, son. Let's see how long it is before they order someone to cut down the Liberty Tree. They hung an effigy on it the other day. (Burgan, Michael)” “Our Liberty Tree is rather nice. I always thought dogwoods were some of the prettiest trees, don't you?” “I just wish that it was actually used. Right now it's more of a symbol than anything

useful.”
There was a loud knock at the door. Father glanced at all of us and then went downstairs to open it. “Why hello, son! What brings you back to land? I thought the sea was your life and your love.” “Joey! You're home!” I ran to the front door and hugged my brother. “How've you been doin' little brother?” “I'm fine, but everyone's so riled up over this Stamp Act! Why are you here, anyway?” “I haven't had anything to do lately, so I decided to visit home, and on the way there one of the elders asked me to get dad and bring him to our Liberty Tree.” “Finally! A meeting! Let me get ready and I'll be right with you.”
Dad went upstairs and grabbed his coat. Me and my brother talked about what he was doing, and then they left. I quickly finished my chili and went upstairs to try and see if I could see the meeting. Our Liberty Tree is just down the street from my house, and the square it is in is lit with bright torches. I saw the cluster of people and could not make out my dad. Suddenly, they dispersed, returning to their homes. I tracked the movement of a certain pair, walking straight towards me. When they were a few feet away, I ran down the stairs as fast as I could. My mother yelled down asking why I was running and telling me not to kill myself. “They're back!” I shouted. She came down after me. The door opened. My dad stepped in and laid down his coat. There was a glimmer in his eye, like he was excited about something. My brother was right behind him.
“So what happened? Tell us!” He slowly straightened, standing tall. There was a broad grin across his face. “Parliament finally repealed the act. They did it!” We all cheered! It was amazing! “Thank God that problem is solved. Thank God we are free.”

Bibliography
Burgan, Michael. The Stamp Act of 1765: We the People Exploration and Colonization. New York, NY: Compass Point Books, 2005. Print.
Padgett, Zachary. Personal interview. 2015.
The Stamp Act 1765. YouTube, n.d. Online Video.
The Stamp Act of 1765. YouTube, n.d. Online Video.
"A Summary of the 1765 Stamp Act." Colonial Williamsburg. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. .
"Stamp Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. .