The Petition to the House of Lords against the Boston Port Bill
Summary of DS: House of Lords Library
[March 26, 1774.]
<The petitioners, being Americans, are deeply concerned with
any proceeding of the House that touches life, liberty, or property
in America. They and their countrymen have law as their inalienable
birthright, and it requires that no man shall be judged and condemned
without having been permitted to defend himself against the charges.
The bill before the House penalizes Boston for a trespass committed
against the East India Company by persons unknown; the town has not
been told the charges, or allowed to hear the evidence and make its
defense. The inhabitants will be deprived of property in quays,
wharves, etc., worth several hundred thousand pounds, and many of
them will be deprived of their regular employment; the innocent will
be punished with the guilty. Even if the reparation required in the
bill is made, restoration of property will depend solely on the will
of the crown. Such proceedings are repugnant to every principle of
law and justice, and threaten every man’s security. To condemn
unheard is to remove all defense against false accusation, all
protection of the innocent. In the colonies the law provides redress
for injuries sustained there and, as the trial and acquittal of Capt.
Preston and his soldiers demonstrated, is administered as impartially
as in any other part of the King’s dominions. When the law gives
redress, the interposition of Parliamentary power is unnecessary,
arbitrary, and unjust. The House of Lords, as the supreme judicature
of the nation, is too well acquainted with the rules of justice to
need any further objections to the bill, and the petitioners pray
that the House will not pass it.>
[John] Williams |
Thos. Barker |
William Middleton Junr. |
Stephen Sayre |
John Boylston |
Thomas Pinckney |
William Lee |
Arthur Lee |
William H. Gibbes |
B Franklin |
Thos Ruston |
Thos. Bromfield |
Wm. Middleton |
Philip Neyle |
Joshua Johnson |
Henry Laurens |
Edwd Bancroft |
John Hobson |
Ralph Izard |
John Peronnaut |
Dan Bowly |
Isaac Motte |
Peeke Fuller |
John Alleyne |
John Ellis |
Edwd. Fenwicke |
William Blake |
Hu Williamson |
John Ballendine |
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