"Q: Do you think it right that America should be protected by this country, and pay no part of the expense? A: That is not the case. The colonies raised, clothed and paid, during the last war, near 25,000 men, and spent many millions. Q: Were you not reimbursed by parliament? A: We were only reimbursed what, in your opinion, exceeded our proportion, or what you thought we could not pay. But you will see by the public accounts that the reimbursements fell greatly short of the sums we spent. Q: Do you think the people of America would submit to pay the stamp duty, if it was moderated? A: No, never, unless compelled by force of arms."

Benjamin Franklin, testimony before the British House of Commons, 13 February 1766. Franklin was serving as a colonial agent in London representing Pennsylvania and several other colonies. His testimony contributed to the repeal of the Stamp Act.