James Otis
James Otis
James Otis Jr.was a lawyer in colonial Massachusetts, a member of the Massachusetts provincial assembly, and an early advocate of the Patriot views against British policy that led to the American Revolution. His catchphrase "Taxation without representation is tyranny" became the basic Patriot position...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionLawyer
Date of Birth5 February 1725
CityBarnstable, MA
CountryUnited States of America
determined i-am-determined consequence
Let the consequences be what they will, I am determined to proceed.
men consent persons
The supreme power cannot take from any man any part of his property, without his consent in person, or by representation.
tests invincible writs-of-assistance
I do not say that, when brought to the test, I shall be invincible.
wealth avarice
What must be the wealth that avarice, aided by power, cannot exhaust!
men writs-of-assistance persons
A man is accountable to no person for his doings.
dew parliament depends
Dew depends not on Parliament.
law people safety
The people's safety is the law of God.
tyrants taxation-without-representation tyranny
Taxation without representation is tyranny.
hero citizens patriot
These manly sentiments, in private life, make good citizens; in public life, the patriot and the hero.
tyrants may murder
Every one with this writ may be a tyrant; if this commission be legal, a tyrant in a legal manner, also, may control, imprison, or murder any one within the realm.
order liberty towns
I have accordingly considered it, and now appear not only in obedience to your order, but likewise in behalf of the inhabitants of this town, who have presented another petition, and out of regard to the liberties of the subject.
hands dying slavery
I will to my dying day oppose, with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand and villainy on the other as this Writ of Assistance is.
thinking people six-months
[The passage of the Sugar Act] set people a thinking, in six months, more than they had done in their whole lives before.
men law house
Now one of the most essential branches of English liberty, is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle; and while he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ of assistance, if it should be declared legal, would totally annihilate this privilege.