Stamp act Congress, the
Assembled in New York on Oct. 7, 1765, to consider
Grenville's obnoxious scheme of taxation.
It was organized by the choice of
Timothy Ruggles, of
Massachusetts, chairman, and
John Cotten, clerk.
The following representatives presented their credentials:
Massachusetts—
James Otis,
Oliver Partridge,
Timothy Ruggles.
New York—
Robert R. Livingston,
John Cruger,
Philip Livingston,
William Bayard,
Leonard Lispenard.
New Jersey—
Robert Ogden,
Hendrick Fisher,
Joseph Borden.
Rhode Island—
Metcalf Bowler,
Henry Ward.
Pennsylvania—
John Dickinson,
John Morton,
George Bryan.
Delaware—
Thomas McKean,
Caesar Rodney,
Connecticut—
Eliphalet Dyer,
David Rowland,
William S. Johnson.
Maryland—
William Murdock,
Edward Tilghman,
Thomas Ringgold.
South Carolina—
Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden,
John Rutledge.
The Congress continued in session fourteen consecutive days, and adopted a
Declaration of rights, written by
John Cruger, a
Petition to the King, written by
Robert R. Livingston, and a
Memorial to both Houses of Parliament, written by
James Otis.
In all these the principles which governed the leaders in the
Revolutionary War soon afterwards were conspicuous.
The proceedings were signed by all the delegates excepting
Ruggles and
Ogden, who were afterwards active loyalists or Tories.
