The American Revolution is a contentious issue that resulted in a factional breakup between two groups, Loyalists and Patriots. I am a shopkeeper in Boston, Massachusetts, and I have seen the situation between Britain and the American colonies escalate to dangerous levels. Chalmers’ argument against rebellion and fighting for American rights is flawed and does not provide an overarching view of the situations we face. The colonies were riddled with taxation problems, a factor that the Crown continued imposing without consideration for the area’s residents. It is important to note that Chalmers considers reconciliation as the path toward happiness (Chalmers, 1776). He should discern the reason for the colonies’ upheavals. If the situation were as his pamphlet indicates, the Americas would be at peace, and individuals such as John Hancock could not convince people to join their course.
Chalmers argues that the underground news network is spoiling people’s minds. He ironically calls blind loyalty to the Monarch’s freedom while insinuating that an individual without legal power can impose their will on us. I believe Hancock and others, such as Thomas Jefferson, have convinced people rather than coerced them to join their cause. I have struggled for the past decade under heavy tax laws with the newest introduction of the Sugar Act, the Currency Act, and the Quartering Act (History.com Editors, 2021). It is unfair to deem us citizens of Britain yet deny us an opportunity to vote on our lives. The individuals steering every aspect of our lives are in Europe and do not consider our efforts to build this economy. They recently introduced the Stamp Tax, further curtailing our business as we cannot export tea favorably (Library of Congress, 2014). It is ludicrous for Chalmers to deem the Monarch our protector and source of happiness while responsible for the burden we are currently experiencing (Chalmers, 1776). Furthermore, rather than communicate with us, the Crown has opted to use forceful means to subjugate us; we are free people with the capacity to defend ourselves and our dignity.
References
Chalmers, J., & Smith, W. (1776). Plain Truth. Internet Archive. Web.
History.com Editors. (2021). Stamp act imposed on American colonies. History.com. Web.
Library of Congress. (2014). Magna carta: Muse and mentor no taxation without representation. Library of Congress. Web.