Ben is a granger or farmer. He works his own small farm in Lexington.
"The Crown doesn't realize that this is a continent of planters, farmers
and fishermen. We rely on imports from England for most of our manufactured
goods. Now we are expected to pay a tax on paper, lead, glass and paints. John
Dickenson, a Pennsylvania farmer, circulated a letter stating that duties
have NEVER before been imposed for the purpose of raising money for the mother
country. This is a serious issue. Why should we pay taxes when we get nothing
in return? We have no representation in England. We had a friend in William
Pitt who argued our rights in Parliament but now he has been replaced as
Treasurer for the King by the loathsome Charles Townshend.
I shall follow the example of Sam Adams and encourage
all my friends to protest by boycotting English imports and joining the Sons
of Liberty. We need to be free from the tyranny of the King. I hope it won't
come to violence, but I fear it will."