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Poem
January 3, 1766
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A biblical-style lament from the Newport Mercury cursing the day the Stamp Act was passed on February 7, questioning British Parliament's actions, colonial loyalty, and forefathers' settlement, decrying impending oppression and poverty on American colonists.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the NEWPORT MERCURY, Dec. 9.
Let the Day perish wherein the STAMP-ACT was drawn up; and the Night wherein it was laid, The Stamp-Act is passed. Let not the Seventh Day of February be joined to the Days of the Year : let it not come into the Number of the Months. Let them curse it that curse the Day, and that are ready to rise up in Arms against the Act. Why did not the Contrivers perish? And why did not the House of Commons Vote it Out?--Why did the House of Lords approve of it ?--And why did the King support to the Parliament to give his Assent ?--Why Were our Forefathers suffered to plant themselves here in a Wilderness? Or why should Oppression come on their obedient Offspring ?---Why is our Loyalty forgot to Great-Britain? And why do they endeavour to enslave us ?--What We had no just Cause to fear is like to come upon us. And the Royal Promises, made by King Charles, are like to be of no Effect.--Had the Act not passed, every Man might have Set under his own Fig Tree, and enjoyed the Fruits of his Labour ; but now Oppression cometh as a mighty Whirlwind, and Poverty like an armed Man.
Let the Day perish wherein the STAMP-ACT was drawn up; and the Night wherein it was laid, The Stamp-Act is passed. Let not the Seventh Day of February be joined to the Days of the Year : let it not come into the Number of the Months. Let them curse it that curse the Day, and that are ready to rise up in Arms against the Act. Why did not the Contrivers perish? And why did not the House of Commons Vote it Out?--Why did the House of Lords approve of it ?--And why did the King support to the Parliament to give his Assent ?--Why Were our Forefathers suffered to plant themselves here in a Wilderness? Or why should Oppression come on their obedient Offspring ?---Why is our Loyalty forgot to Great-Britain? And why do they endeavour to enslave us ?--What We had no just Cause to fear is like to come upon us. And the Royal Promises, made by King Charles, are like to be of no Effect.--Had the Act not passed, every Man might have Set under his own Fig Tree, and enjoyed the Fruits of his Labour ; but now Oppression cometh as a mighty Whirlwind, and Poverty like an armed Man.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Taxation Tyranny
Liberty Independence
Political
What keywords are associated?
Stamp Act
Colonial Lament
British Oppression
Taxation Protest
Liberty Curse
Poem Details
Subject
On The Passage Of The Stamp Act
Key Lines
Let The Day Perish Wherein The Stamp Act Was Drawn Up; And The Night Wherein It Was Laid, The Stamp Act Is Passed.
Let Not The Seventh Day Of February Be Joined To The Days Of The Year : Let It Not Come Into The Number Of The Months.
Why Did Not The Contrivers Perish? And Why Did Not The House Of Commons Vote It Out? Why Did The House Of Lords Approve Of It ? And Why Did The King Support To The Parliament To Give His Assent ?
Had The Act Not Passed, Every Man Might Have Set Under His Own Fig Tree, And Enjoyed The Fruits Of His Labour ; But Now Oppression Cometh As A Mighty Whirlwind, And Poverty Like An Armed Man.