George III (r. 1760 – 1776 in the colonies, died 1820) lends his assent to the Stamp Act, levying a Direct tax (“a tax exacted directly from the person on whom the ultimate burden of the tax is expected to fall, such as property, income, gift, inheritance, and poll taxes.” —- Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary) on all paper products in the colonies, to pay for their military defense.   The tax ranges from one Penny per sheet of newspaper to ten Pounds Sterling (silver) for attorney’s licenses.

       NOTES:

• This act was not intended to generate revenue as much as it was to establish a precedent to impose legislation on the colonies, which Parliament had not done before. 
• Transgressors against the Stamp Act were not tried in common law courts in front of a fully informed Jury, but rather in vice admiralty court where the case was decided by a royally appointed judge.

       [updated 7/24/2026]