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
argue cause charged
I was solicited to argue this cause as Advocate-General; and, because I would not, I have been charged with desertion from my office.
If we are not represented, we are slaves.
care clear soon truth
It is a clear truth that those who every day barter away other men's liberty will soon care little for their own.
guarded house prince whilst
A man's house is his castle; and whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle.
books concerning general honors justice office peace search suspected warrants
Your Honors will find in the old books concerning the office of a justice of the peace precedents of general warrants to search suspected houses.
assist command enter third
In the third place, a person with this writ, in the daytime, may enter all houses, shops, etc., at will, and command all to assist him.
days mechanic served
I only served with them 64 days as a mechanic in Italy,
void constitution natural
An act against the Constitution is void; an act against natural equity is void.
thinking names soul
But I think I can sincerely declare that I cheerfully submit myself to every odious name for conscience' sake; and from my soul I despise all those whose guilt, malice, or folly has made them my foes.
parliament congress cases
Parliaments are in all cases to declare what is good for the whole; but it is not the declaration of parliament that makes it so.
home men house
A man's house is his castle.
freedom men law
There can be no prescription old enough to supersede the Law of Nature and the grant of God Almighty, who has given to all men a natural right to be free, and they have it ordinarily in their power to make themselves so, if they please.
sister lightning dear-god
My dear sister, I hope, when God Almighty in his righteous providence shall take me out of time into eternity, that it will be by a flash of lightning.
book eugenics honor
MAY it please your Honors: I was desired by one of the court to look into the books, and consider the question now before them concerning Writs of Assistance.