Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies
Quick Summary
Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies was a series of essays written by John Dickinson in 1767-1768. These letters were published in response to the Townshend Acts, which imposed new duties on goods imported into the American colonies. Dickinson argued that these acts were unconstitutional because they were designed to raise revenue rather than regulate trade, and that taxation without representation was a violation of the colonists' rights as Englishmen. The essays were widely read and helped to unify colonial opposition to British policies, contributing to the growing sentiment that led to the American Revolution.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
United StatesThe tax controversy…in 1767 and 1768 as Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, were widely reprinted and exerted great influence in forming a united colonial opposition. Dickinson agreed that Parliament had supreme power where the whole empire was concerned, but he denied that it had power over internal colonial affairs; he quietly…
Read More…in 1767 and 1768 as Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, were widely reprinted and exerted great influence in forming a united colonial opposition. Dickinson agreed that Parliament had supreme power where the whole empire was concerned, but he denied that it had power over internal colonial affairs; he quietly…
Read More
American coloniesColonial resistanceleadership of John Dickinson, whose Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies appeared in many colonial newspapers, they now defined their constitutional position with greater precision. Both internal and external levies for revenue were unconstitutional; only duties to control commerce were within the powers…
Read Moreleadership of John Dickinson, whose Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies appeared in many colonial newspapers, they now defined their constitutional position with greater precision. Both internal and external levies for revenue were unconstitutional; only duties to control commerce were within the powers…
Read More
