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Document 2: Stamp Act: Taxed Items and Amounts
The French and Indian War had been costly for the British. In order
to help pay for the war, the British Parliament placed new taxes on their
colonies in America. Parliament passed the Stamp Act on November 1,
1765. Colonists were now required to pay a tax on all forms of printed
materials. They began to challenge England’s right to tax without colonial
representation in Parliament. As colonial protests grew, slogans such as, "No
taxation without representation," began to be heard.
The English money system in 1765, worked like this:
12 pence = 1 shilling
20 shillings = 1 pound or 240 pence
Table of Taxed Items and Amount of Tax
COURT DOCUMENTS
Summonses, warrants,
depositions, bail
... 2 shillings
Pleadings
... 3 pence
Decrees, sentences, and
dismissals
... 4 shillings
Appeals, writs of error, official
copies of any court record
... 10 shillings
PUBLICATIONS
Pamphlets, newspapers, and
public notices
... 1/2 pence to 1 shilling
... 6 pence
per page, depending
on the size of paper
and number of pages
Newspaper advertisements
... 2 shillings
Almanacs and calendars for one
year or less
... 4 pence
Almanacs and calendars for
more than one year
... 4 pence per yr.
LAND
Warrants for surveying land,
per 100 acres
... 6 pence
Grants or deeds of land, under
100 acres.
... 1 shilling
& 6 pence
Every additional 100 acres
... 6 pence
Registration of any grant or
deed of land
... 3 pence
AMUSEMENTS
Playing cards, per pack
... 1 shilling
Dice, per pair
... 10 shillings
WILLS
Probates of wills, letters of
administration or
guardianship for estates
valued at 20 pounds
or more
... 5 shillings
COMMERCE AND
TRADE
Bills of lading and clearance for
items exported from the
Colonies
... 4 pence
Indentures, leases, contracts,
bills of sale, articles of
apprenticeship
... 2 shillings & 6 pence
LICENSES
Lawyer’s license
... 10 pounds
Retail wine license
... 4 pounds
Retail liquor license
... 1 pound
ADMISSIONS
Record of registration in or
commencement from
any university, college, or
seminary
... 2 pounds
Admission to public office
(militia officers and judges)
... 10 shillings