Presentments of the Grand Jury for the Cheraws District

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4. We present, as a grievance of the first magnitude, the right claimed by the British Parliament to Tax us, and by their Acts to bind us in all cases whatsoever. When we reflect on our other grievances, they all appear trifling in comparison with this; for if we may be taxed, imprisoned, and deprived of life, by the force of edicts to which neither we nor our constitutional Representatives have ever assented, no slavery can be more abject than ours. We are, however, sensible that we have a better security for our lives, our liberties and fortunes, than the mere will of the Parliament of Great Britain; and are fully convinced that we cannot be constitutionally taxed but by Representatives of our own election, or bound by any laws but those to which they have assented. This right of being exempted from all laws but those enacted with the consent of Representatives of our own election, we deem so essential to our freedom, and so engrafted in our Constitution, that we are determined to defend it at the hazard of our lives and fortunes; and we earnestly request that this Presentment may be laid before our constitutional Representatives, the Commons House of Assembly of this Colony, that it may be known how much we prize our freedom, and how resolved we are to preserve it.

We recommend that these Presentments be published in the several Gazettes of this Province.

ALEXANDER M' INTOSH, Foreman.