[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


    CELEBRATION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUDIATION ACT IN 
                       FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2015

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the Sergeant 
Lawrence Everhart Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution and the Frederick and Carrollton Manor Chapters of 
the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution on 
their collaboration in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the 
Repudiation Act in Frederick County, Maryland. This event was a 
defining moment in our nation's history and established a critically-
important precedent in our judicial system.
  On November 23, 1765, the twelve justices of the Frederick County 
Court took the bold and unprecedented step to repudiate ``taxation 
without representation.'' The British had passed the Stamp Act on March 
22, 1765, which was to take effect on November 1st of that year. The 
new tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay 
a tax on every piece of printed paper. This was the first internal tax 
levied directly on American colonists by the British government. 
Obviously unpopular, the Stamp Act raised the constitutional question 
of taxation without representation and the extent of the legislative 
powers of Parliament over the colonies.
  The most significant reaction to the Act was expressed in Frederick 
County. The Frederick Court unanimously ordered that ``all proceedings 
shall be Valid and Effectual without the use of Stamps'' because, 
first, a ``Legal Publication'' had not been made ``of any Act of 
Parliament'' and, second, there was no stamped paper in ``the province 
and the Inhabitants have no means of Procuring any.'' They further 
wrote ``that it would be an Instance of the most wanton Oppression to 
deprive any person of a Legal Remedy for the Recovery of his property 
for omitting that which it is Impossible to perform.''
  This decision came to be known as the Repudiation Act and earned the 
justices the honor of being called the ``Twelve Immortals.'' Thanks to 
this extraordinary ruling, the constitutional principles of 
representative government and political self-determination, critical to 
the success of the coming American Revolution, became engrained 
throughout the colonies. Indeed, it is noteworthy that these early 
jurists established through their bold ruling the principle of judicial 
independence, striking down the decree of Parliament and reinforcing 
the obligation of courts to protect the rights and liberties of people.
  The judges' ruling set off great rejoicing in the streets of 
Frederick. A parade was held through the streets highlighted by a 
funeral procession. The community was so thankful for this decision 
that they covered a coffin in anti-Stamp Act slogans and symbolically 
laid the Stamp Act to rest.
  This year, on the 250th anniversary, the celebration will include a 
reenactment of the parade that carried the coffin containing the now-
deceased Stamp Act through the streets of Frederick. The current Clerk 
of the Frederick County Court, Sandra Dalton, will read the words that 
were recorded in 1765. A new sign will be dedicated on the grounds of 
the City Hall, recognizing the courage of the twelve judges who 
protected the rights and liberties of all people.
  Mr. Speaker, Frederick County, Maryland has a proud history of 
patriotism and standing up against tyranny. I am proud that the 
community is gathering to celebrate this defining moment in our 
history.




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