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
men tyrants soul
Every man may reign secure in his petty tyranny, and spread terror and desolation around him, until the trump of the Archangel shall excite different emotions in his soul.
practice trials may
I pray God I may never be brought to the melancholy trial; but, if ever I should, it will then be known how far I can reduce to practice principles which I know to be founded in truth.
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.